WO2006126400A1

WO2006126400A1 - Traffic information processing device, traffic information processing method, traffic information processing program, and recording medium containing the program

Info

Publication number: WO2006126400A1
Application number: PCT/JP2006/309486
Authority: WO
Inventors: Toru Yoshihara
Original assignee: Pioneer Corporation
Priority date: 2005-05-24
Filing date: 2006-05-11
Publication date: 2006-11-30

Abstract

When a first vehicle (92) receives information on a traffic condition around the first vehicle via a distance radio communication unit, a traffic condition at the reception moment is detected according to the information received. The information on the traffic condition thus detected is transmitted during travel of the first vehicle (92). When the information on the traffic condition transmitted from the first vehicle (92) is received by a second vehicle (93), the second vehicle (93) grasps the traffic condition in the path where the second vehicle may travel according to the received information. The grasped traffic condition is displayed on the screen and audio-outputted to report the information to a user of the second vehicle (93). Thus, it is possible to provide information on the necessary traffic condition to a user with a simple configuration.

Description

Specification

Traffic information processing apparatus, traffic information processing method, traffic information processing program, and recording medium recording the same

Technical field

The present invention relates to a traffic information processing device, a traffic information processing method, a traffic information processing program, and a recording medium recording the same, and more specifically, a traffic information processing device mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle, The present invention relates to a traffic information processing method performed using the traffic information processing apparatus, a program for executing the traffic information processing method, and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

Background art

Conventionally, navigation devices that are mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle and provide map information on a moving route have been widely used. The evolution of such navigation device technology is remarkable, and devices that can provide users with information on traffic conditions such as traffic jam information in addition to map information on travel routes have appeared.

[0003] A device that can provide powerful traffic information receives traffic information detected by a traffic detection system built as a public system using a VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) receiver, etc. The technology provided to users is generally adopted (hereinafter referred to as “conventional example 1”).

[0004] In addition, by using inter-vehicle communication technology that directly communicates between vehicles traveling on the road, information on the current driving situation of the front, rear, left, and right vehicles of the host vehicle is provided to the user. A technology to be provided has also been proposed (see Patent Document 1; hereinafter referred to as “Conventional Example 2”).

[0005] In addition, there is also a technology that enables communication with a distant vehicle or broadcast communication by interposing a central processing station in inter-vehicle communication, and provides users with driving conditions of surrounding vehicles and distant road conditions. (See Patent Document 1; hereinafter referred to as “Conventional Example 3”). In the technology of Conventional Example 3, the vehicle-to-vehicle communication in Conventional Example 2 described above is a vehicle-to-vehicle one-to-one communication, and communication with vehicles around the own vehicle is possible. This is to solve the problem that it is difficult and that it is difficult to perform broadcast communication. [0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-191331

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] The techniques of Conventional Examples 1 to 3 described above are excellent from the viewpoint of providing information on traffic conditions to users. However, in Conventional Example 1, when focusing on the traffic jam information, the traffic jam detection result extracted by the traffic jam detection system described above must be the traffic jam status detection result more than a certain amount ago. In many cases, the information does not reflect the actual traffic situation at the present time. In addition, since Conventional Example 1 requires large-scale infrastructure facilities such as VICS and beacons, the range in which this method can be adopted is limited.

[0008] As described above, since the technology of Conventional Example 2 is limited to the information on the driving situation of surrounding vehicles, for example, even if a certain vehicle transmits traffic information, this information can be received. It can only be done on vehicles that are relatively close. For this reason, the traffic jam information cannot be reported to a vehicle traveling in the same lane as the vehicle and located at a certain distance.

[0009] The technology of Conventional Example 3 may not be as large as that of Conventional Example 1, but it still requires large-scale infrastructure facilities, so the range in which this method can be adopted is limited.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a traffic information processing apparatus and traffic information processing capable of providing a user with necessary traffic status information with a simple configuration. It aims to provide a method.

Means for solving the problem

[0011] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a traffic information processing apparatus mounted on a mobile object.

A short-range wireless communication means for communicating with the periphery of the mobile body; and a traffic situation at the time of reception based on information on the traffic situation related to the periphery of the mobile body received via the short-range wireless communication means. Traffic condition detecting means for detecting; traffic condition information transmitting means for transmitting information on the traffic condition detected by the traffic condition detecting means via the short-range wireless communication means; traffic detected on another mobile body The status information A traffic situation grasping means for grasping a traffic situation on a route that is likely to be a movement route of the mobile object received via the remote radio communication means; and a traffic situation grasped by the traffic situation grasping means And a traffic information reporting means for reporting to a user of the mobile body.

[0012] In this traffic information processing apparatus, the traffic condition detection means detects the traffic condition at the time of reception based on the traffic condition information around the mobile body received via the short-range wireless communication means. When the moving body is a vehicle traveling on the road, the traffic condition detection means may, for example, indicate the traffic condition in the opposite lane that says “There is a possibility that a traffic jam has occurred” sent from a vehicle in the opposite lane. When this information is received over a predetermined mileage, it is detected that traffic congestion has occurred in the opposite lane. In this way, the traffic condition information detected by the traffic condition detection means can be useful information for a mobile object that is assumed to be able to communicate with the proximity wireless communication means during the future movement of the mobile object. In the case of information, the traffic condition information sending means sends the detected information through the short-range wireless communication means while the mobile body is traveling.

[0013] On the other hand, when the short-distance wireless communication means receives the traffic condition information detected by another mobile body equipped with the traffic information processing apparatus having the same specifications, the traffic condition grasping means is based on the received information. Understand the traffic conditions on the route that may be the future travel route. When the moving body is a vehicle traveling on the road, for example, the traffic condition grasping means can determine the traveling lane of the own vehicle based on traffic jam information in the traveling lane of the own vehicle transmitted from another vehicle traveling on the opposite lane. Understand traffic conditions ahead. Then, the traffic condition reporting means reports the traffic condition information grasped by the traffic condition grasping means to the user by image display or voice guidance.

[0014] In the traffic information processing apparatus of the present invention, an encounter traffic situation estimation means for estimating an encounter traffic situation that is a traffic situation encountered by the mobile object based on the movement situation of the mobile object; And an encounter traffic condition transmission means for transmitting the information on the encounter traffic condition estimated by the encounter traffic condition estimation means via the short-range wireless communication means.

[0015] In this case, the encounter traffic condition estimation means considers the moving condition of the moving object and Estimate the encounter traffic situation, which is the traffic situation that the moving body encounters. For example, the encounter traffic condition estimation means estimates that it encounters a traffic jam by measuring the travel time of a predetermined distance. In this way, when the estimated encounter traffic situation is a traffic situation that should be notified to other moving bodies, the encounter traffic situation sending means sends information on the estimated encounter traffic situation via the short-range wireless communication means. Is sent out. The information sent in this way is received by another mobile body that has a traffic information processing device of similar specifications and moves near the mobile body.

[0016] Here, the encounter traffic situation information may include information related to traffic jams. The information related to the traffic jam may include information that the mobile body is estimated to encounter traffic jam and information on the moving direction of the mobile body. Further, when the traffic information processing apparatus further includes positioning means for measuring the position of the moving body, the traffic jam information may further include position information of the moving body.

[0017] It should be noted that when estimating that a traffic jam has been encountered, the encounter traffic situation estimation means further considers the traffic situation information from the preceding and following moving bodies in the moving path of the moving body, and the movement Try to estimate that your body has encountered a traffic jam.

[0018] When the traffic information processing apparatus further includes GPS receiving means for receiving radio waves of GPS satellite power, it is estimated that the moving body is in a traffic jam state and information on the moving direction of the moving body. When sending the traffic jam information consisting of the above, the encounter traffic condition sending means can send the information on the traffic jam in synchronization with the time signal extracted by the GPS receiving means. In this case, since the same transmission signal can be transmitted from a plurality of mobile bodies that encounter traffic jams at the same timing, even if the frequency used for transmission of information related to the traffic jams in the plurality of mobile bodies is the same. Loss of information due to mutual interference is prevented.

[0019] In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the information on the traffic situation transmitted by the other mobile strength may include emergency travel information including travel direction information and position information of the emergency travel mobile body. .

[0020] From a second viewpoint, the present invention provides a first mobile unit via a short-range wireless communication means. A traffic situation detecting step for detecting a traffic situation at the time of reception based on the traffic situation information relating to the periphery of the first mobile body received; and information on the traffic situation detected in the traffic situation detecting step A traffic situation information sending step that is sent while moving from the first mobile body via the short-range wireless communication means; and in the second mobile body, the traffic situation information received from the first mobile body Based on the traffic situation grasping process for grasping the traffic situation on the route that is likely to be the travel route of the second mobile body; and the traffic situation grasped in the traffic situation grasping step A traffic information processing method comprising: a traffic condition reporting step for reporting to a user of a mobile object. Here, “moving” includes a period in which it is temporarily stopped rather than force if it is actually moving. In this specification, the term “moving” is used in this sense.

[0021] In this traffic information processing method, when the first mobile unit receives information on the surrounding traffic situation via the short-range wireless communication means, the traffic situation detection step determines whether the first mobile unit Traffic conditions are detected. Information on traffic conditions detected in this way If the information can be useful information for a mobile object that is expected to be able to communicate with the proximity wireless communication means during the future movement of the mobile object, In the status information sending step, the detected information is sent via the short-range wireless communication means while the first moving body is traveling.

[0022] When the traffic situation information sent from the first mobile body is received by the second mobile body, in the traffic situation grasping step, the movement path of the second mobile body is determined based on the received information. The traffic situation on the possible route is grasped. Then, in the traffic status reporting process, the traffic status image display and voice guidance for the grasped travel route candidate are made and reported to the user of the second mobile unit.

[0023] From a third aspect, the present invention is a traffic information processing method program that causes a computing means to execute the traffic information processing method of the present invention.

[0024] From a fourth aspect, the present invention is a recording medium in which the traffic information processing method program of the present invention is recorded so as to be readable by an arithmetic means.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a traffic information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a program that operates in the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a vehicle position at time T1 during traffic jam information processing.

[FIG. 4] A diagram for illustrating a vehicle position at time T2 during traffic jam information processing.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the vehicle position at time T3 during traffic jam information processing.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram for explaining traffic jam information processing.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example of traffic jam information.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the vehicle position at time T4 when the closed road information processing is performed.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the vehicle position at time T5 when the closed road information processing is performed.

FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining closed road information processing.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example of road closure information.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a vehicle position in emergency vehicle information processing.

FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram for explaining emergency vehicle information processing.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display example of emergency vehicle information.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, a traffic information processing apparatus that is mounted on a vehicle and processes traffic information will be described as an example.

[0027] <Device configuration>

First, the configuration of the traffic information processing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. The traffic information processing device 10 is a device mounted on a vehicle traveling on a road. As shown in FIG. 1, the traffic information processing device 10 is connected to the vehicle navigation device 11 and a short-range wireless communication having a communication distance of about several meters to 10 m. And a short-range wireless communication unit 12 for communication.

[0028] The vehicle navigation device 11 stores (a) a control unit 21 that performs overall control of the traffic information processing device 10, and (b) various data such as map data and program data for traffic information processing. The large-capacity storage device 25 is provided. These control units 21 and mass storage devices The device 25 is connected via a system bus 29. Therefore, the control unit 21 can access the large-capacity storage device 25.

[0029] The control unit 21 includes (i) a CPU (central processing unit) 22 that executes programs for the traffic information processing device 10 to perform various functions, and (ii) performs basic control of the traffic information processing device 10. ROM (read-only memory) 23 that stores basic control programs to be performed, and (iii) RAM (random access memory) 24 that temporarily stores various data when the program is executed by the CPU . The mass storage device 25 is constituted by a hard disk device or the like.

[0030] Further, the vehicle navigation device 11 includes (c) a screen display unit 26 for displaying map information, route information, traffic condition information, and the like, (d) a voice guidance unit 27 for outputting voice guidance, and (e ) An operation input unit 28 is provided for the user to input various commands. These screen display unit 26, voice guidance unit 27, and operation input unit 28 are connected to the system bus 29 and operate under the control of the control unit 21.

[0031] The screen display unit 26 is based on (i) a display device such as a liquid crystal display and (ii) display control data sent from the control unit 21 via the system bus 29. A display controller such as a graphic renderer for controlling, and (iii) a display image memory for storing display image data are also configured. In addition, the voice guidance unit 27 includes (i) a DA conversion digital to analog converter that converts digital voice data received via the system bus 29 into an analog signal, and (ii) an analog output from the DA conversion ^^. An amplifier that amplifies the signal; and (iii) a speaker that converts the amplified analog signal into sound. The operation input unit 28 is configured as a remote input device.

[0032] Further, the vehicle navigation apparatus 11 includes: (f) a travel sensor unit 31 that detects the travel state of the vehicle; and (g) a GPS receiver unit 35 that receives radio waves from GPS satellites and performs GPS positioning. It is equipped with. These travel sensor unit 31 and GPS receiver unit 35 are also connected to the system bus 29.

[0033] The travel sensor unit 31 includes (i) an acceleration sensor 32 that detects the moving state of the vehicle in the vertical direction by comparing the gravitational acceleration and the acceleration generated by the movement of the vehicle, and (ii) the vehicle A speed sensor 33 for detecting the traveling speed, and (iii) V, a so-called gyro sensor, And an azimuth angle sensor 34 for detecting an azimuth angle for detecting the azimuth angle of the vehicle, which is the traveling direction of the vehicle. The detection result in the traveling sensor unit 31 is reported to the control unit 21 via the system bus 29.

The GPS receiving unit 35 calculates a pseudo coordinate value of the current position of the vehicle based on reception results of radio waves from a plurality of GPS satellites, and reports the pseudo coordinate value to the control unit 21 via the system bus 29. Further, the GPS receiver 35 measures the current time based on the time when the GPS satellite power is also transmitted, and reports it to the controller 21 via the system bus 29.

Furthermore, the vehicle navigation apparatus 11 includes (h) a bus conversion unit 37 that performs conversion between a system bus 29 and a local bus 39 such as a USB (Universal Seria 1 Bus). The short-range wireless communication unit 12 described above is connected to the local bus 39 via a connector.

[0036] The traffic information processing program 50 executed by the control unit 21 includes, as shown in FIG. 2, a navigation processing unit 51, a traffic situation detection grasping part 52, an encounter traffic situation estimation part 53, and a traffic situation information sending part. 54. Here, the navigation processing unit 51 provides the navigation information to the user by using the components connected to the system bus 29 described above.

[0037] The traffic condition detection grasping unit 52 detects the traffic condition based on the information on the surrounding traffic condition received via the short-range wireless communication unit 12. Such traffic conditions include traffic jams and closed roads in the oncoming lane. The traffic condition detection and grasping unit 52 determines that the detected traffic condition information in the surroundings is useful for vehicles that may fall within the communication range of the short-range wireless communication unit 12 in the future. The detected traffic condition information in the surroundings is notified to the traffic condition information sending part 54.

[0038] In addition, the traffic condition detection grasping unit 52 is based on the traffic condition information detected by other vehicles received via the short-range wireless communication unit 12, and in the route that may be the travel route of the own vehicle. Understand traffic conditions. The traffic situation thus grasped includes information such as traffic jam conditions and traffic closure conditions in the own lane, and emergency vehicle driving conditions. The traffic condition detection grasping section 52 notifies the navigation processing section 51 of information on the grasped traffic condition in the travel route candidate of the own vehicle. [0039] The encounter traffic situation estimation unit 53 can encounter a traffic jam as an encounter traffic situation that is a traffic situation that the vehicle encounters based on the detection result of the traveling sensor unit 31 and the like. Estimate that there is sex. In the present embodiment, the encounter traffic condition estimation unit 53 has a predetermined travel distance (e.g., there is no reasonable reason such as waiting for a signal based on the detection result by the travel sensor unit 31). 2 km), if it is not possible to move within a predetermined time (for example, within 6 minutes), it is estimated that there is a possibility that a traffic jam has been encountered. The encounter traffic situation estimation unit 53 notifies the traffic situation information sending unit 54 of the information on the encounter traffic situation including the estimation result and the traveling direction of the own vehicle.

[0040] The traffic situation information sending section 54 sends the information notified from the traffic situation detection grasping section 52 or the encounter traffic situation estimation section 53 via the short-range wireless communication section 12. When the information from the encounter traffic condition estimation unit 53 is transmitted via the short-range wireless communication unit 12, the predetermined timing (based on the time measurement result of the current time in the GPS reception unit 35 described above) For example, the transmission of information is started at the timing of every second).

[0041] <Traffic information processing operation>

Hereinafter, the traffic information processing by the traffic information processing apparatus 10 configured as described above will be described mainly focusing on the processing of traffic situation information using the short-range wireless communication unit 12.

It should be noted that normal navigation processing is executed by the navigation processing unit 51 even during a period without using the short-range wireless communication unit 12. That is, in response to the command input result from the operation input unit 28, the detection result by the traveling sensor unit 31, and the positioning result in the GPS receiving unit 35, the navigation processing unit 51 stores the data stored in the mass storage device 25. Is read as appropriate. Then, the navigation processing unit 51 (a) displays a map of the area specified by the user on the display of the screen display unit 26, (b) the power of where the vehicle is located on the map, and which Map matching that calculates whether the vehicle is moving in the direction and displays it on the display of the screen display unit 26 and communicates to the user. (C) From the current position of the vehicle to any position specified by the user Calculate the recommended route to calculate the recommended route, (d) When driving to the destination along the set route, guide to the display of the screen display unit 26 in order to accurately advise the direction to travel Display or voice Route guidance that outputs voice guidance from the guidance unit 27 is performed.

[0043] <Traffic information processing>

First, traffic jam information processing, which is an example of traffic status information processing using the short-range wireless communication unit 12, will be described mainly with reference to FIGS.

[0044] As a premise, as shown in FIG. 3 to FIG.

Assume that 1 ~ is experiencing traffic jams. Also, lane 67, which is the opposite lane to lane 66, is

N

2 is moving and approaches vehicle 91, the leading vehicle in the traffic jam, at time T1 (see Fig. 3).

1

Then, at time T2, the vehicle 91 is approaching the last vehicle in the traffic jam (see Fig. 4).

N

In addition, it is assumed that the vehicle 93 is moving without knowing the occurrence of the traffic jam behind the traffic jam on the lane 66 (see Fig. 5). Then, it is assumed that the vehicle 92 passing through the traffic jam approaches the vehicle 93 at time T3 (see FIG. 5).

Further, the vehicles 91 to 91, the vehicle 92, and the vehicle 93 are equipped with the traffic information processing apparatus 10 described above.

1 N

It shall be listed.

[0046] First, an estimation process for encountering a traffic jam in the vehicles 91 to 91 will be described.

1 N

[0047] When vehicles 91-91 encounter traffic jams, the encounter traffic in each of vehicles 91-91

1 N 1 N

Based on the detection result by the traveling sensor unit 31 and the map information, the situation estimating unit 53 is a force that cannot move a predetermined traveling distance within a predetermined time without a reasonable reason such as waiting for a signal at an intersection. Estimate Then, the encounter traffic condition estimation unit 53 notifies the traffic condition information transmission unit 54 of the fact that there is a possibility of encountering a traffic jam and the direction to travel (the traveling direction in the current lane) as the traffic jam information.

[0048] Upon receiving the notification of the encounter traffic jam information, the traffic condition information transmission unit 54 transmits the traffic jam information to the outside of the vehicles 91 to 91 via the short-range wireless communication unit 12. Vehicle 91-9

1 N 1

From the short-range wireless communication unit 12 in each of 1, the current GPS receiver 35

N

Based on the time measurement result, information of the same content that there is a possibility of encountering a traffic jam and the direction of travel is transmitted at the predetermined timing obtained. Therefore, vehicles 91-91

The short-range wireless communication unit 12 in each of 1 transmits a radio signal of the same frequency.

N

There is no interference between the force signals.

Next, processing in the vehicle 92 traveling on the lane 67 will be described. [0050] As described above, in the state where the traffic jam encounter information is transmitted from each of the vehicles 91-91.

1 N

At time T1, vehicle 92 traveling on lane 67 approaches vehicle 91, and traffic information for both

1

Short-range wireless communication is possible between the processing devices 10. As a result, the traffic jam encounter information from the vehicle 91 reaches the vehicle 92 as shown in FIG. In vehicle 92, near field communication

1

Via the section 12, the traffic condition detection and grasping section 52 receives traffic jam encounter information of 91 vehicles.

1

[0051] The traffic condition detection grasping unit 52 of the vehicle 92 that has received the traffic jam encounter information detects that there is a possibility of traffic jam in the oncoming lane 66. Then, the traffic condition detection grasping unit 52 stores the position of the vehicle 92 at the time T 1 obtained based on the detection result of the traveling sensor unit 31 or the GPS receiving unit 35 in the RAM 24 as a traffic jam leading position candidate.

Thereafter, the vehicle 92 continuously receives the traffic jam encounter information while traveling on the lane 67. At time T1 ′, the vehicle 91 (1

When traffic jam encounter information from <M <N) is received, the traffic condition detection grasping unit 52 of the vehicle 92 detects that traffic jam has occurred in the lane 66 at time T1 ′. Then, the traffic condition detection grasping unit 52 obtains the position of the vehicle 92 at the time T1 obtained based on the detection result of the traveling sensor unit 31 or the GPS receiving unit 35.

[0053] In this way, when it is detected that traffic congestion has occurred in lane 66, the traffic condition detection grasping unit 52 of the vehicle 92 can be useful information for vehicles that may approach later. Judge whether it is power or not. Here, the traffic jam information on lane 66 is useful traffic information for vehicles traveling behind a traffic jam that may come near, so a positive determination result is obtained. If a positive determination result is obtained in this way, the traffic condition detection grasping unit 52 indicates that a traffic jam has occurred in the lane 66, the traveling direction of the vehicle in the lane 66, and the vehicle at the time T1 that is the head position of the traffic jam. The position of the vehicle 92 and the position of the vehicle 92 at time T1 ′, which is the last position of the traffic jam detected at the present time, are notified to the traffic condition information transmission unit 54 as traffic jam information (T1 ′).

In addition, the traffic condition detection grasping unit 52 determines whether or not the detection result is a force that can be useful information for the user when the vehicle 92 travels in the future. Here, since the detection result is information related to the traffic jam in the opposite lane 66, it is not related to the future travel of the vehicle 92, so a negative determination is made. Therefore, the detection result navigation processing unit No notification to 51! /.

Upon receiving the notification from the traffic condition detection grasping part 52, the traffic condition information sending part 54 sends the traffic jam information to the outside of the vehicle 92 via the short-range wireless communication part 12. The short-range wireless communication unit 12 in the vehicle 92 sends traffic jam information at a timing different from the timing at which the traffic jam encounter information is sent when the possibility of having encountered the traffic jam in the vehicle 92 is detected. It ’s like that. For this reason, short-range radio in each of the vehicles 91-91

1 N

Congestion information is transmitted with a radio signal of the same frequency as the traffic congestion encounter information transmission signal from communication unit 12, but no interference occurs between the signals.

[0056] Thereafter, while the vehicle 92 is traveling in the lane 67, the vehicles 91 to

1

Upon further receiving the traffic jam encounter information from 91, the traffic condition detection grasping part 52 of the vehicle 92

N

Detects further congestion in lane 66. In this case, the traffic condition detection grasping unit 52 updates the last position of the traffic jam and notifies the traffic status information sending unit 54 as new traffic jam information. Upon receiving this notification, the traffic condition information sending unit 54 sends the traffic jam information to the outside of the vehicle 92 via the short-range wireless communication unit 12.

[0057] At time T2, the vehicle 92 approaches the vehicle 91, and both traffic information processing devices 1

N

Short-range wireless communication is possible between zeros. As a result, the traffic jam encounter information from the vehicle 91 is

N

Reach both 92. In the vehicle 92, the traffic condition detection grasping unit 52 receives the traffic jam encounter information of 91 vehicles through the short-range wireless communication unit 12.

N

[0058] The traffic condition detection and grasping unit 52 of the vehicle 92 that has received the information on the encounter of the traffic jam of the vehicle 91

N

The last position of the congestion is updated to the position of the vehicle 92 at time T2, and is notified to the traffic condition information transmission unit 54 as new traffic congestion information (T2). Upon receiving this notification, the traffic condition information sending unit 54 sends the traffic jam information (T2) to the outside of the vehicle 92 via the short-range wireless communication unit 12.

Thereafter, the traffic jam information is no longer received, so the traffic information (T 2) is continuously transmitted from the vehicle 92. Note that the periodic transmission of the traffic jam information (T2) is maintained until the vehicle 92 leaves the road 65.

[0060] Next, processing in the vehicle 93 traveling behind a traffic jam on the lane 66 will be described. [0061] As described above, when the traffic jam information (T2) is periodically sent and the vehicle 92 is running on the lane 67 and the time Τ3 is reached, the vehicle 92 and the vehicle running on the lane 66 are displayed. 93, and short-range wireless communication is possible between both traffic information processing devices 10. As a result, the vehicle 92 power congestion information (Τ2) power vehicle 93 is reached. In the vehicle 93, the traffic condition detection grasping unit 52 receives the traffic jam information (Τ 2) from the vehicle 92 via the short-range wireless communication unit 12.

[0062] The traffic condition detection grasping unit 52 of the vehicle 93 that has received the traffic jam information (Τ2) determines whether it can be useful information for a vehicle traveling on the lane 66 that may approach after the traffic jam information (力 2). judge. Here, the traffic jam information on the lane 66 cannot be said to be useful traffic situation information for a vehicle traveling on the lane 67 that may approach later, and therefore a negative determination result is obtained. When a positive determination result is obtained in this way, the traffic condition detection grasping part 52 does not notify the traffic condition information sending part 54 of the received information.

[0063] In addition, the traffic condition detection grasping part 52 of the vehicle 93 determines whether or not the received traffic information (Τ2) power can be useful information for the user when the vehicle travels in the future. Here, the traffic jam information (Τ2) is information on the traffic jam ahead of the vehicle 93 in the lane 66 in which the vehicle 93 is traveling, so a positive determination is made. For this reason, the traffic condition detection and grasping unit 52 notifies the navigation processing unit 51 of the traffic jam information (Τ2).

[0064] The navigation processing unit 51 of the vehicle 93 that has received the notification of the traffic jam information (Τ2) displays the traffic jam information (Τ2) on the map information being displayed on the screen display unit 26, or displays the traffic information 2 The traffic information (Τ2) is provided to the user by voice guidance of the contents of the traffic information (Τ2) from 7. Figure 7 shows an example in which the traffic information (Τ2) is superimposed on the map information. FIG. 7 shows an example in which the current position symbol CP1 of the vehicle 93 and the congestion section symbol RTM force are displayed on the road map.

When the traffic jam information (Τ2) is provided as described above, the user of the vehicle 93 changes the scheduled route, sets a new route to avoid the traffic jam, and the like. When setting a new route, it is possible to use the recommended route calculation function by the navigation processing unit 51.

[0066] <Processing of closed information>

Next, another example of processing related to traffic situation information using the short-range wireless communication unit 12 will be described. The processing of certain road closure information will be described mainly with reference to FIGS.

[0067] As a premise, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, it is assumed that a traffic stop notification device 70 is placed in the lane 76 of the road 75. Further, it is assumed that the vehicle 94 is moving in the lane 77 that is the opposite lane to the lane 76, and approaches the traffic stop notification device 70 at time T4 (see FIG. 8). In addition, it is assumed that the vehicle 95 is moving in the lane 76 without knowing that the road is closed (see FIG. 9). Then, it is assumed that the vehicle 94 that has passed next to the traffic stop notification device 70 approaches the vehicle 93 at time T5 (see FIG. 9).

It is assumed that the vehicle 94 and the vehicle 95 are equipped with the traffic information processing apparatus 10 described above. In addition, the close-out notification device 70 is provided with a short-range wireless communication device, which issues a close-out notification indicating that the road is closed and the direction of travel of the vehicle in the lane 76. And

[0069] First, processing in the vehicle 94 traveling in the lane 77 in the opposite lane to the lane 76 where the traffic stop notification device 70 is placed will be described.

[0070] From the traffic stop notification device 70 installed on the lane 76 of the road 75 and set to transmit information, a traffic close notification is periodically transmitted by the short-range wireless communication device. With the traffic stop information being sent from the traffic stop notification device 70 in this way, at time T4, the vehicle 94 traveling on the lane 77 approaches the traffic stop notification device 70, and short-range wireless communication between both sides becomes possible. . As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the traffic stop notification from the traffic stop notification device 70 reaches the vehicle 94. In the vehicle 94, the traffic condition detection grasping unit 52 receives a traffic stop notification from the traffic stop notification device 70 via the short-range wireless communication unit 12.

[0071] The traffic condition detection grasping part 52 of the vehicle 94 that has received the notification of the closing of the road detects that the road is closed in the oncoming lane 76. Subsequently, the traffic condition detection grasping unit 52 determines whether or not the detection result can be useful information for a vehicle that may approach later. Here, since the information on the road closure in the lane 76 is information on the traffic situation useful for a vehicle traveling on the lane 76 that may approach later, a positive determination result is obtained.

[0072] When a positive determination result is thus obtained, the traffic condition detection grasping unit 52 of the vehicle 94 is based on the detection result of the traveling sensor unit 31 or the GPS receiving unit 35, and the vehicle at time T4. The position 94 is acquired as a closed position. Then, the traffic situation detection grasping section 52 notifies the traffic situation information sending section 54 that the traffic is closed in the lane 76, the traveling direction of the vehicle in the lane 76, and the traffic stop position as the traffic stop information.

[0073] Further, the traffic condition detection grasping unit 52 of the vehicle 94 determines whether or not the detection result can be useful information for the user in the future travel of the vehicle 94. Here, since the detection result is the closed information in the opposite lane 76 of the travel lane 77 of the vehicle 94 and is not related to the future travel of the vehicle 94, a negative determination result is obtained. For this reason, notification of the detection result to the navigation processing unit 51 is not performed.

Receiving the notification from the traffic condition detection grasping part 52 of the vehicle 94, the traffic condition information sending part 54 sends the traffic stop information to the outside of the vehicle 94 via the short-range wireless communication part 12. The close-range wireless communication unit 12 in the vehicle 94 is configured to send out the closing information at the same timing as when the above-mentioned traffic jam information is sent out.

Thereafter, the vehicle 94 periodically sends out road closure information to the outside of the vehicle 94 while traveling on the lane 77 of the road 75. Such closed traffic information is continuously transmitted until the vehicle 94 leaves the road 75.

Next, processing in the vehicle 95 that travels in the lane 76 and passes the vehicle 94 will be described.

[0077] In the manner described above, while the traffic stop information is periodically transmitted, time T5 is reached while the vehicle 94 is traveling on the lane 77, and the vehicle 94 and the vehicle 95 traveling on the lane 76 approach each other. Thus, short-range wireless communication is possible between both traffic information processing devices 10. As a result, the vehicle 95 reaches the traffic-stopping information force vehicle 95. In the vehicle 95, the traffic condition detection and grasping unit 52 receives the information on closing of the vehicle 94 force via the short-range wireless communication unit 12 of the traffic information processing device 10 mounted on the vehicle 95.

[0078] The traffic condition detection grasping unit 52 of the vehicle 95 that has received the traffic stop information determines whether the traffic stop information is a force that can be useful information for a vehicle that may approach later. Here, the road closure information in the lane 76 cannot be said to be useful traffic situation information for a vehicle traveling in the lane 77 that may approach in the future. In addition, the vehicle ahead in lane 76 is considered to have already received closed information from vehicle 94, and the lane The rear vehicle at 76 is expected to receive closed information from vehicle 94. Therefore, a negative determination is made. If a negative determination result is obtained in this way, the traffic condition detection grasping part 52 does not notify the traffic condition information sending part 54 of the received traffic stop information.

[0079] Further, the traffic condition detection grasping part 52 determines whether or not the received traffic stop information can be useful information for the user in the future travel of the vehicle 95. Here, since the traffic stop information is information related to the traffic stop ahead of the vehicle 95 in the lane 76 in which the vehicle 95 is traveling, a positive determination is made. For this reason, the traffic condition detection grasping unit 52 notifies the navigation processing unit 51 of the road closure information.

[0080] The navigation processing unit 51 that has received the notification of the closed road information displays the closed road information on the map information being displayed on the screen display unit 26, or the voice guidance unit 27 provides a voice message of the content of the closed road information. Providing users with closed information by guiding them

. FIG. 11 shows an example in which closed information is displayed on map information. In FIG. 11,! /, The current position symbol CP2 of the vehicle 95 and the closed position symbol ST

An example is shown in which M is displayed superimposed on a road map.

As described above, when the traffic stop information is provided, the user of the vehicle 95 changes the scheduled route, sets a new route that avoids traffic congestion, and the like. When setting a new route, a recommended route calculation function by the navigation processing unit 51 can be used as in the case of the traffic jam information described above.

[0082] << Emergency Vehicle Information Processing >>

Next, emergency vehicle information processing, which is another example of traffic status information processing using the short-range wireless communication unit 12, will be described mainly with reference to FIGS.

[0083] As a premise, it is assumed that the vehicle 96 is traveling in the lane 87 of the road 85 as shown in FIG. An emergency vehicle 97 such as an ambulance is assumed to be traveling on lane 86 of road 85.

Further, it is assumed that the vehicle 96 is equipped with the traffic information processing apparatus 10 described above. Furthermore, the emergency vehicle 97 such as an ambulance, during emergency driving, indicates that the vehicle is an emergency vehicle, the emergency vehicle information including the current position and the traveling direction from the short-range wireless communication unit 12 described above. It is assumed that the transmission signal is periodically transmitted at an arrival distance (for example, several hundred meters) longer than the arrival distance of these transmission signals.

[0085] When the vehicle 96 enters the reach range of the emergency vehicle information transmitted from the emergency vehicle 97 while the emergency vehicle 97 is traveling, the emergency vehicle information may reach the vehicle 96 as shown in FIG. become. In the vehicle 94, the traffic condition detection grasping unit 52 receives emergency vehicle information via the short-range wireless communication unit 12.

[0086] Receiving the emergency vehicle information, the traffic condition detection grasping part 52 grasps the direction in which the emergency vehicle 97 is traveling and the current position. Subsequently, the traffic condition detection grasping unit 52 determines whether or not the transmission of emergency vehicle information from the vehicle 96 is useful for a vehicle that may approach later. Here, since the reach distance of the emergency vehicle information is sufficiently longer than the reach distance of the transmission signal from the own vehicle, a negative determination is made. As a result, the emergency vehicle information is not notified to the traffic condition information sending unit 54.

[0087] Further, the traffic condition detection grasping unit 52 determines whether or not the grasped emergency vehicle information can be useful information for the user when the vehicle 94 travels in the future. Here, when the emergency vehicle information is information on the emergency vehicle 97 approaching the host vehicle, it is related to the future travel of the vehicle 96, and therefore a positive determination is made. As a result, the traffic condition detection grasping unit 52 notifies the navigation processing unit 51 of emergency vehicle information over a period in which the emergency vehicle 97 approaches the host vehicle.

[0088] Upon receiving notification of emergency vehicle information, the navigation processing unit 51 displays the emergency vehicle information superimposed on the map information being displayed on the screen display unit 26, or the contents of the emergency vehicle information from the voice guidance unit 27. By providing voice guidance, emergency vehicle information is provided to users. FIG. 14 shows an example in which emergency vehicle information is displayed superimposed on map information. FIG. 14 shows an example in which the current position symbol CP3 of the vehicle 96 and the emergency vehicle symbol ECM representing the current position and traveling direction of the emergency vehicle 97 are displayed superimposed on the road map.

Thereafter, each time new emergency vehicle information is received, the information content is provided to the user. When the emergency vehicle information is provided in this way, the user of the vehicle 96 cooperates with the travel of the emergency vehicle 97 by stopping the vehicle on the side of the road. [0090] As described above, in the present embodiment, the first vehicle (92, 94) receives the encounter congestion information, the traffic stop notification, and the like, which are information on the surrounding traffic conditions, via the short-range wireless communication unit 12. Then, the traffic condition detection grasping unit 52 detects the traffic condition at the time of reception in consideration of the received information. If the traffic condition information detected in this way is information that can be useful information for a moving body that is supposed to be able to communicate with the proximity wireless communication means during the future movement of the first vehicle, The detected traffic condition is transmitted while the first vehicle is traveling via the distance wireless communication unit 12, and thus the traffic condition information transmitted by the first vehicle force is the second vehicle (93, 95 ), The traffic condition detection grasping unit 52 of the second vehicle grasps the traffic condition on the route on which the second vehicle may move based on the received information. Then, the image of the grasped traffic situation and voice guidance are given and reported to the user of the second vehicle.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide the user with necessary traffic condition information with a simple configuration.

In the present embodiment, the encounter traffic situation estimation unit 53 estimates that there is a possibility of encountering a traffic jam in consideration of the traveling situation of the own vehicle. Then, the estimation result is transmitted as traffic jam information via the short-range wireless communication unit 12. For this reason, it is possible to provide traffic encounter information to other vehicles that have had the opportunity to approach the vehicle.

In this embodiment, when the traffic jam encounter information is transmitted, the same information is transmitted from a plurality of vehicles encountering the traffic jam at the same timing synchronized with the GPS time. For this reason, loss of information due to interference between signals is prevented even if traffic jam information is sent from multiple vehicles that are experiencing traffic jams without using multiplexing techniques, using signals of the same frequency. .

[0094] When emergency vehicle information including the travel direction and current position of the emergency vehicle is received, the emergency vehicle information is provided to the user over a period in which the emergency vehicle is approaching the host vehicle. Information is appropriately provided to users.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

[0096] For example, in the above embodiment, the possibility of encountering a traffic jam is reported to the traveling sensor unit 31 of the own vehicle. However, it is also possible to estimate the possibility of a traffic jam taking into account the traffic jam encounter information sent from the preceding and following vehicles.

[0097] Further, in the above embodiment, the content of the traffic jam encounter information includes the possibility that the traffic jam has been encountered! /, And the force used as the traveling direction of the own vehicle. Further, the current vehicle position is included. It can also be made to be. In this way, when the current position of the vehicle is included in the traffic jam encounter information, the transmission information of each vehicle encountering the traffic jam will not be the same, so multiplexing with a code unique to each vehicle, frequency multiplexing, etc. It is necessary to do.

[0098] Further, in the above embodiment, the case where only one traffic stop notification device is placed on the road has been described. However, a traffic stop notification device is disposed at the start point and the end point of the traffic stop section, and It is also possible to send information for distinguishing the start point or end point of the closed section from each. In addition, it is possible to send out information on sections where the number of lanes has decreased due to construction or accidents, and one-way alternating sections.

[0099] In the above embodiment, when the vehicle receives emergency vehicle information, the emergency vehicle information is not sent to the outside, but the emergency vehicle information is used in a wide range. If possible, send emergency vehicle information to the outside.

In the above embodiment, the short-range wireless communication unit 12 can be connected to the force system bus 29 that is connected to the local bus 39. In this case, the bus conversion unit 37 is unnecessary.

[0101] In the above embodiment, the case where the traffic information from VICS or the traffic information of beacon power is not used has been described. However, these traffic information can be used in parallel.

[0102] In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a vehicle traveling on a road has been described. However, the present invention may be applied to a ship navigating on the sea or an airplane flying in the air. Of course you can.

[0103] The traffic information processing program 50 in the above embodiment is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD, etc., and the recording medium force is also read by the computer and executed. The In addition, these programs are acquired in a form recorded on a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD. However, it may be acquired in the form of delivery via a network such as the Internet.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A traffic information processing device mounted on a mobile object,

Short-range wireless communication means for communicating with the periphery of the mobile body;

Traffic situation detection means for detecting a traffic situation at the time of reception based on the traffic situation information relating to the periphery of the mobile body received via the short-range wireless communication means; traffic situation detected by the traffic situation detection means; Traffic status information sending means for sending the information via the short-range wireless communication means;

Traffic that is received by other moving bodies through the short-range wireless communication means and information on the traffic conditions detected by the other moving bodies and grasps traffic conditions on a route that may be a moving path of the moving body Situational grasping means;

A traffic information processing apparatus comprising: a traffic condition reporting means for reporting the traffic condition grasped by the traffic condition grasping means to a user of the mobile object.

[2] Encounter traffic situation estimation means for estimating an encounter traffic situation which is a traffic situation encountered by the mobile object based on a movement situation of the mobile object;

The traffic according to claim 1, further comprising: an encounter traffic situation sending means for sending the encounter traffic situation estimated by the encounter traffic situation estimation means via the short-range wireless communication means; Information processing device.

[3] A GPS receiving means for receiving radio waves from a GPS satellite is further provided,

3. The traffic information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the encounter traffic condition transmission unit transmits the encounter traffic information in synchronization with a time signal extracted by the GPS reception unit.

[4] The traffic information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the encounter traffic condition information includes information related to a traffic jam.

[5] It further comprises positioning means for positioning the position of the moving body,

5. The traffic information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the information related to the traffic jam further includes position information of the mobile object.

[6] The information related to the traffic jam includes information that the mobile body is estimated to encounter traffic jam and information on a moving direction of the mobile body. Record The traffic information processing method described.

[7] The encounter traffic situation estimation means further considers the information of the encounter traffic situation sent from the preceding and following moving bodies on the moving route of the moving body, and confirms that the moving body has encountered a traffic jam. The traffic information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the traffic information processing apparatus estimates.

[8] The traffic according to claim 1, wherein the traffic condition information detected in the other moving body includes emergency traveling information including movement direction information and position information of the emergency traveling moving body. Information processing device.

9. The traffic information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving body and the other moving body are vehicles.

[10] A traffic situation detection step of detecting traffic conditions at the time of reception on the first mobile body based on traffic situation information about the periphery of the first mobile body received via the short-range wireless communication means; ;

A traffic situation information sending step for sending the traffic situation information detected in the traffic situation detection step from the first moving body during the movement via the short-range wireless communication means;

A traffic situation grasping step for grasping a traffic situation in a route that may be a movement route of the second mobile body based on the traffic situation information received from the first mobile body in the second mobile body;

A traffic information reporting method comprising: a traffic situation reporting step of reporting the traffic situation grasped in the traffic situation grasping step to a user of the second moving body.

[11] A traffic information processing method program characterized by causing a computing means to execute the traffic information processing method according to claim 10.

12. A recording medium, wherein the traffic information processing method program according to claim 12 is recorded so as to be readable by a calculation means.