JP2001174272A - Car reachable range display system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display the reachable range of an automobile on the basis of the present remaining amount of gasoline by taking into account the congestion state of a road. SOLUTION: In a main calculation part 15 in an automobile reachable-range computing device, a range which the automobile can reach is found on a map on the basis of position information, on the automobile, to be input from a GPS 11, on the basis of time information to be input from a clock 12, on the basis of congestion information on the road in a present time zone to be input from a by-time-zone congestion state database 13, on the basis of map information to be input from a map database 14, on the basis of the present remaining amount of the gasoline to be input from a gasoline-remaining-amount measuring device 2 and on the basis of present standard fuel expenses. The range is displayed on an image display device 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle reachable range display system for displaying a range in which the vehicle can run on the remaining fuel loaded on the vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a navigation system using a GPS (Global Positioning System) or the like has been developed as means for guiding and guiding to a destination. Information and the like are displayed to guide the driver to the route to the destination.

[0003]

By the way, according to a conventional car navigation system or the like, information on a route to a destination can be obtained. On the other hand, there is a technique for measuring whether the current gasoline (fuel) level can be reached there, that is, for measuring and displaying the gasoline level, separately from the car navigation system. However, there is no device that combines such technology with information of a car navigation system and further displays the reachable range of a vehicle based on the current remaining amount of gasoline in consideration of congestion.

[0004] Therefore, during the route to the destination, the car cannot run due to lack of fuel, and it cannot be provided to the user in advance that the vehicle will not reach the destination unless fuel is supplied. There was a problem of lack of convenience.

[0005] Further, since the reachable range of the vehicle cannot be clearly indicated by the remaining amount of gasoline, if the gas station within the travelable range is not known during driving of the vehicle, even if the gasoline is expensive, the user can enter a nearby station. I have to help. Despite having cheaper gas stations within the driving range, the engine stalls had to put up with high gasoline.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to display the reachable range of a vehicle by the current remaining amount of gasoline in consideration of the traffic congestion. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle reachable range display system.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a feature of the present invention is a measuring means for measuring a remaining fuel amount, a measuring means for measuring a current position of a vehicle, and map information. A map storage unit to be held, a vehicle based on the remaining fuel amount measured by the measurement unit, a preset standard fuel consumption, a current position of the vehicle measured by the measurement unit, and map information in the map storage unit. And a display means for displaying the calculated reachable range of the vehicle on a map in the map storage means.

According to the present invention, when all roads can be driven with the standard fuel efficiency without considering the degree of congestion of the road,
The current fuel level shows the reachable range from the current position of the car.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there are provided a measuring means for measuring a remaining fuel amount, a measuring means for measuring a current position of an automobile, a map storage means for holding map information, and a time measuring means for measuring a current time. And congestion information storage means for storing data indicating the degree of congestion of a road connecting intersections around the current position of the vehicle by time zone, and the fuel remaining amount measured by the measurement means is preset. The current position of the vehicle based on the standard fuel efficiency, the current position of the vehicle measured by the measurement unit, the map information in the map storage unit, the current time of the clock unit, and the congestion degree data for each time zone in the congestion information storage unit. It is provided with a calculating means for calculating a reachable range from a position, and a display means for displaying the calculated reachable range of the vehicle on a map in the map storage means.

[0010] According to the present invention, even when the running distance differs depending on the congestion degree of the road around the current position of the car according to the time zone, the congestion degree of the road connecting the intersections around the current position of the car is determined by the time zone. Based on the data shown separately, a highly accurate reachable range from the current position of the vehicle is obtained and displayed based on the current fuel remaining amount.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the calculation means selects an intersection closest to the current position of the vehicle from the map information in the map storage means, and sets a set of intersections within the reachable range starting from the intersection. It is determined from the map information.

According to the present invention, the range of the intersection that can be reached from the nearest intersection of the current position of the vehicle is displayed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the arithmetic means includes a set of road intersections X, a set of roads connecting x and y by a pair (x, y) of the elements X, and a d of each element d of the D. When the length is defined for, the corresponding function is ρ, and when the end point of d is (x, y), the distance between x and y is ρ (d) = ρ
(X, y), the intersection x closest to the position of the car
Assuming that n is already defined by selecting 0 and setting X0 = {x0} and setting a sequence of a subset of X to X0 {X1 {X2} X3}, Xn + 1 adds a new element to n In this case, each newly added element x
Ρ (x0, x) is defined for, when the set of all intersection adjacent to the intersection with respect to the intersection is any of elements in Xn and Xn ^C, because it is Xn⊆Xn ^C, Xn + 1 ⊆Xn ^C is defined as follows: for any y∈Xn ^C , (i) if y∈Xn, then y∈Xn + 1, where ρ ′ (x0, y)
Is already defined, and (ii) If y∈Xn is not satisfied, at an intersection x adjacent to y, d is a road having x and y as end points, the standard fuel efficiency of the car is Bkm / l, and the gasoline remaining amount is N If it is liter, the fuel that satisfies ρ ′ (x0, x) + ρ (d) ≦ B · N, that is, the current fuel at the distance obtained by adding the distance from the intersection x0 to the intersection x to the distance from the intersection x and the intersection y When there is a vehicle that satisfies the running distance or less with the remaining amount, since ρ ′ (x0, y) ≦ B · N, y is calculated as Xn + 1.
In addition, ρ ′ (x0, y) = ρ ′ (x0, x) + ρ (d), and if the conditions (iii) (i) and (ii) are not satisfied, a certain route (d0, d1,..., dk), if there is one that satisfies Σi _≦ kρ (di) ≦ B · N, add y to Xn + 1, and ρ ′ (x0, y) = Σi _≦ kρ (di) And if none of (iv) (i) (ii) (iii), y is not added to Xn + 1,
A set of reachable intersections defined as described above {Xi}
Since the column of i is bounded upward, there is a certain n and X
... Xn = Xn + 1 =... Xn is obtained as a range that the automobile can reach.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the arithmetic means includes a road intersection.
X is a set of difference points, and x is a pair (x, y) of the elements of X.
The set of roads connecting y is D, and the length of each element d of D is
Is defined as the corresponding function ρ, and the end point of the d
Is (x, y), the distance between x and y is ρ (d) = ρ
(X, y), and each time zone obtained by dividing a day into 24 is represented by t.
And, for each pair of t and D, the time of t
The actual fuel efficiency when traveling in the zone d in the zone is divided by the standard fuel efficiency.
Ω (t, d), the closest value to the position of the car
X0 = {x0}, and set X0
Let X0 {X1} X2 {X3}...
Xn + 1 is newly added to n assuming that
It is defined by adding an element.
Ρ (x0, x) is defined for each element x
For any intersection that is an included element,
Xn is the set of all adjacent intersections^CThen, Xn⊆X
n ^CXn + 1⊆Xn^CIs defined as
Ie, any y∈Xn^C(I) If y∈
If Xn, then y∈Xn + 1, in this case ρ ′
(X0, y) is already defined, and (ii) y∈Xn
For example, at an intersection x adjacent to y, let d be x and y as end points
Road, standard car fuel efficiency is Bkm / l, gasoline remaining
Assuming that the amount is N liters, when there is an object that satisfies ρ ′ (x0, x) + ρ (d) / ω (t, d) ≦ B · N, ρ ′ (x0, y) ≦ B · N
Since N, y is added to Xn + 1, and d is ρ ′ (x0,
y) = ρ ′ (x0, x) + ρ (d) / ω (t, d)
And (iii) conditions (i) and (ii) are not met
In a case, at a certain route (d0, d1,..., Dk), Σ_{i ≦ k} If there is one satisfying ρ (di) / ω (t, di) ≦ B · N, y is added to Xn + 1, and ρ ′ (x0, y) = Σ_{i ≦ k} ρ (di) / ω (t, d
defined as i) and not one of (iv) (i) (ii) (iii)
In this case, by not adding y to Xn + 1,
A set of reachable intersections defined as described above {Xi}
Since the column of i is bounded upward, there is a certain n and X
0 ≠ X1 ≠ X2 ≠... Xn = Xn + 1 =.
Xn is determined as a range that the car can reach.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration according to an embodiment of a vehicle reachable range display system of the present invention.

The vehicle reachable range display system includes a vehicle reachable range calculating device 1 for calculating a reachable range based on the current remaining amount of gasoline (fuel), and a gasoline for detecting the remaining gasoline remaining in the gasoline tank of the vehicle. It comprises a fuel gauge 2 and an image display 3 such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) for displaying the calculated reachable range of the vehicle.

The vehicle reach calculation device 1 receives information from artificial satellites and measures the current position of the vehicle.
11, a clock 12 that measures the current time, a congestion situation database by time zone 13 that holds a value obtained by dividing the actual fuel efficiency obtained when traveling on a section d of a road connecting an intersection in the time zone t by a standard fuel efficiency, a road A main calculation unit that calculates a reachable range based on the current gasoline remaining amount based on the map database 14 holding map information such as a map and the remaining gasoline amount information, position information, time information, congestion information, and map information. Fifteen
The main calculation unit 15 has a temporary storage unit 15 for temporarily storing gasoline remaining amount, calculation process data of reachable range, and the like.
1 is provided.

The map database 14, the GPS 11, the clock 12, and the like can be configured to reduce the number of system components by using the car navigation system provided in the car. May also be used as the liquid crystal terminal.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. This system displays the reachable range on the image display device 3 which is also used as a navigation system, based on the remaining amount of gasoline and taking into account the congestion situation of surrounding roads. Main calculation unit 15 of device 1
The following describes how Calculates the reachable range of a car.

The standard fuel efficiency of a vehicle equipped with this system is Bkm / l (liter), and the remaining gasoline is N liter. The hourly congestion situation database 13 has a map database. A set of main road intersections as shown in FIG. Also,
A set of X element pairs (x, y) that satisfies the condition that there is a road that connects x and y and that does not contain the X element is D (D is shown in FIG. 3). Image of a set of roads connecting intersections as in
⊆X × X.

Thus, the length is defined for each element d of D. This correspondence function is written as ρ. ρ is defined on D, but if there is no fear of confusion,
The distance of (x, y) when the end point of the element d of (x, y) is (x, y) is often expressed using the same symbol ρ. That is, ρ (d) = ρ (x, y), which indicates the distance between (x, y) and the end point on the road connecting the intersections.

Each time zone obtained by dividing a day into 24 is represented by t
0 ≦ t ≦ 23, for example, t = 17 is 17
Hour to 18:00. For each pair of the elements t and D, a value obtained by dividing the actual fuel efficiency by the standard fuel efficiency when traveling in the section d during the time zone of t is represented by ω (t, d). That is, ω (t, d) = (actual fuel efficiency when running d at t) / (standard fuel efficiency). As shown in FIG. 4, the value of ω is described for all elements of D for each time zone in the congestion status database 13 for each time zone.

Here, an intersection closest to the current position is selected, and the intersection is defined as x0. The reachable range is defined as the set of intersections reachable from x0 with the remaining gasoline. That is, the reachable range of the vehicle is a subset of X. When the gasoline remaining amount is N liters, the reachable range of the vehicle in the time zone t is a set of points satisfying the following formula. A route (do, d1,..., _Dk ) connecting ｛y∈X | x and y satisfies the condition Σ _{i ≦ k} ρ (di) / ω (t, di) ≦ B · N (1) Exists. ｝

Based on this calculation, the reachable range (intersection set) is calculated. The set of intersections that can be reached is considered to form an area centered on the current position of the car on the map. The main calculation unit 15 borders the peripheral portion of this area with a smooth closed curve as shown in FIG. This closed curve is displayed on the image display 3.

Next, the method of calculating the reachable range by the main calculation unit 15 of the above-described vehicle reach range calculation device 1 will be described in more detail. First, the gasoline remaining amount sent from the gasoline remaining amount meter 2 is stored in the temporary storage unit 151 of the main calculation unit 15.
To be stored. The intersection x0 closest to the position of the car sent from the GPS 11 is selected and set to X0 = {x0}. In the example of FIG. 2, X14 is the intersection x0 closest to the position of the car. Hereinafter, a sequence of a subset of X, X0 {X1} X2 {X3} (2), is defined recursively.

Here, assuming that Xn has already been defined, Xn + 1 is defined by adding a new element to this set. At this time, ρ ′ (x0, x) is defined for each newly added element x (the distance from the intersection x0 closest to the position of the car to the intersection x). ρ ′ (x0,
x) is used for simplifying the calculation, and the temporary storage unit 1
51 includes an element x of Xn and ρ ′ (x0,
x) is recorded.

For an arbitrary element (intersection) included in Xn, a set of all intersections adjacent to the intersection is defined as Xn ^C
And Obviously, Xn⊆Xn ^C.

Xn + 1⊆Xn ^C is defined as follows.

For any y∈Xn ^C , (i) If y∈
If Xn, then y∈Xn + 1. In this case, ρ '
(X0, y) has already been defined. (Ii) It is assumed that y∈Xn is not satisfied. An intersection x adjacent to y that satisfies ρ ′ (x0, x) + ρ (d) / ω (t, d) ≦ B · N (3), ie, in the time zone t, the intersection x0 to the intersection x When the total of the distance to the intersection and the distance to the intersection x and the intersection y (distance taking into account the congestion status in each time zone) satisfies the distance that can be run with the current gasoline remaining amount, there is clearly ρ ′ (x0 , Y) ≦ B · N, add y to Xn + 1, and ρ ′ (x0, y) = ρ ′ (x0, x) + ρ (d) / ω
(T, d) ... defined as (4). Where d is x,
This is a road having y as an end point.

Equation (4) indicates that the distance from the intersection x0 to the intersection y is the distance from the intersection x0 to the intersection x and x, y
Is the sum of the distances of the roads having the end point (distances taking into account the congestion status of each time zone). (Iii) If the conditions of (i) and (ii) are not satisfied, if a route (d0, d1,..., _Dk ) temporarily satisfies Σ _{i ≦ k} ρ (di) / ω (t, di) ≦ If there is one satisfying B · N (5), y is added to Xn + 1. ρ ′ (x0, y) = Σi _≦ kρ (di) / ω (t, di) (6)

Here, in the time zone t, when there is a route from the intersection x0 to the intersection y that satisfies the distance that can be run with the current gasoline remaining amount, the equation (6) indicates that from the intersection x0 to the intersection y. Means the sum of the distances of the roads that form a route that satisfies the distance that can be run with the current gasoline remaining amount. (Iv) (i) (i
If neither i) nor (iii), y is not added to Xn + 1.

The set of reachable intersections {Xi} i as shown in FIG. 6 defined in this way is bounded upward (because the distance that can be run with the current gasoline remaining amount is bounded). If there is a certain n, X0 ≠ X1 ≠ X2 ≠ ... ≠ Xn =
Xn + 1 = ... This Xn is the reachable range required.

After calculating the reachable range as described above, the main calculation unit 15 uses the road map information in the map database 14 to indicate the range as shown in FIG. The image is created and output to the image display 3 for display.

According to the present embodiment, the range of intersections that can be reached can be clearly displayed on the road map based on the current gasoline remaining amount of the vehicle. The user can know beforehand whether or not the destination to be guided can be reached without refueling.

The expressions (1), (3) to (6) in this example are variables represented by ω (t, di) indicating that the fuel efficiency is different due to the different road congestion conditions depending on the time zone t. Can be considered, the reachable distance differs depending on the congestion situation even with the same gasoline remaining amount, and it is possible to display the accurate reachable range according to the congestion situation for each time zone of the road it can.

Furthermore, since the possible driving range can be determined as accurately as possible based on the remaining amount of gasoline and the congestion status of each time zone of the road, by combining with a gas station database, You can select a cheap gas station and go straight to that gas station.

Incidentally, although the accuracy is deteriorated, if the above-mentioned congestion situation is not taken into consideration, it is sufficient to set ω (t, di) = 1.
As a result, without taking the above-mentioned road congestion into account,
The vehicle reachable range when the vehicle always runs at the standard fuel efficiency can be obtained. In this case, even if there is no hourly congestion situation database 13 or there is no hourly congestion situation data for roads around the place where the current car is located, as a rough guide, the user sets the car reachable range. You can know.

[0038]

As described above in detail, according to the vehicle reachable range display system of the present invention, the vehicle reachable range is displayed by the current gasoline remaining amount in consideration of the traffic congestion situation. Therefore, user convenience can be greatly improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example according to an embodiment of a vehicle reachable range display system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a map showing a current position of a car and positions of a plurality of intersections around the current position.

FIG. 3 is a map showing positions of a plurality of roads connecting a current position of an automobile and an intersection around the current position.

FIG. 4 is a list of data obtained by dividing the actual fuel efficiency obtained when the vehicle travels on a section of the road connecting the intersections held in the hourly congestion status database shown in FIG. It is the table | surface figure which showed the example.

FIG. 5 is a map displayed on the image display device shown in FIG. 1 and showing an example of a reachable range of a vehicle based on a current remaining amount of gasoline.

FIG. 6 is a map showing a set (range) of intersections that can be reached by a vehicle with the current gasoline remaining amount.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Car reach range calculation device 2 Gasoline remaining amount measuring device 3 Image display device 11 GPS 12 Clock 13 Congestion situation database by time zone 14 Map database 15 Main calculation unit 151 Temporary storage unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Tomohiro Takano 3-19-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo East Japan Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp. F-term (reference) 2F029 AA02 AB07 AC02 AC06 5H180 AA01 BB15 FF05 FF22 FF27 FF33 5J062 AA03 BB01 CC07 DD25 HH07

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A measuring means for measuring a fuel remaining amount, a measuring means for measuring a current position of an automobile, a map storage means for holding map information, and a fuel amount measured by the measuring means and preset. Calculating means for calculating a reachable range from the current position of the vehicle based on the calculated fuel efficiency, the current position of the vehicle measured by the measuring means, and the map information of the map storage means; and Display means for displaying a possible range on a map in the map storage means. 2. A measuring means for measuring a fuel remaining amount, a measuring means for measuring a current position of an automobile, a map storage means for holding map information, a timing means for measuring a current time, Congestion information storage means for holding data indicating the degree of congestion of roads connecting neighboring intersections by time zone; fuel remaining amount measured by the measurement means, a preset fuel efficiency and measurement by the measurement means The reachable range from the current position of the vehicle is calculated based on the obtained current position of the vehicle, the map information of the map storage unit, the current time of the clock unit, and the congestion degree data for each time zone of the congestion information storage unit. And a display means for displaying the calculated reachable area of the vehicle on a map in the map storage means. 3. The computing means selects an intersection closest to the current position of the vehicle from the map information in the map storage means, and sets a set of intersections within the reachable range from the map information with the intersection as a starting point. The vehicle reachable range display system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the value is obtained. 4. The arithmetic means includes a set of road intersections X, a set of roads connecting x and y with a pair of elements (x, y) of X, D, and a length for each element d of D. Is defined as ρ, and the endpoint of d is (x, y)
Let the distance between x and y be ρ (d) = ρ (x, y), select the intersection x0 closest to the position of the car, and
0 = {x0}, and the sequence of the subset of X is X0 {X1}
Assuming that n has already been defined as X2 {X3}, Xn + 1 is defined by adding a new element to n. At this time, for each newly added element x, ρ
(X0, x) is defined, when the set of all intersection adjacent to the intersection with respect to the intersection is any of elements in Xn and Xn ^C, because it is Xn⊆Xn ^C, Xn
+ 1⊆Xn ^C is defined as follows: For any y∈Xn ^C , (i) If y∈Xn, y∈Xn ^C
n + 1, where ρ ′ (x0, y) is already defined, and (ii) if y∈Xn, at an intersection x adjacent to y, let d be a road with x, y as an end point, and Is assumed to be Bkm / l and the gasoline remaining amount is assumed to be N liters. And there is a distance to the intersection y that satisfies the distance that can be run with the current fuel level, ρ ′ (x
Since 0, y) ≦ B · N, y is added to Xn + 1, and ρ ′ (x0, y) = ρ ′ (x0, x) + ρ (d) is defined, and (iii) (i) and (ii) Is not satisfied, if there is a route (d0, d1,..., _Dk ) that satisfies Σi _≦ kρ (di) ≦ B · N, y is added to Xn + 1, and ρ ′ (X0, y) = Σi _≦ kρ (di), and if neither of (iv) (i) (ii) (iii), y is not added to Xn + 1.
A set of reachable intersections defined as described above {Xi}
Since the column of i is bounded upward, there exists a certain n and X
... Xn = Xn + 1 =... Xn = Xn + 1 =..., And Xn is determined as a range that the vehicle can reach. 5. The calculating means calculates a set of road intersections.
X, a road connecting x and y with a pair (x, y) of this X element
Is defined as D, and the length is defined for each element d of D.
Ρ is the corresponding function, and the end point of d is (x, y)
Let the distance between x and y be ρ (d) = ρ (x, y)
And each time period obtained by dividing one day into 24 is represented by t.
For each pair of elements of t and D, the interval of d in the time zone of t
The value obtained by dividing the actual fuel efficiency when driving
(T, d), the intersection x closest to the position of the car
0, and set X0 = {x0}, and set the column of the subset of X to
N is already defined as X0 {X1} X2 {X3}.
Xn + 1 adds a new element to n
In this case, each newly added element x
Ρ (x0, x) is defined for
The intersection adjacent to the intersection
Xn is the set of all difference points^CThen, Xn⊆Xn ^CIs
Therefore, Xn + 1⊆Xn^CIs defined as
And any y∈Xn^CFor (i) if y∈Xn
In this case, y∈Xn + 1, and in this case, ρ ′ (x0, y)
Is already defined, and (ii) adjacent to y unless y∈Xn
At an intersection x where d is a road with x and y as endpoints,
The standard fuel efficiency is Bkm / l and the gasoline remaining amount is N lit.
If there is a material that satisfies ρ ′ (x0, x) + ρ (d) / ω (t, d) ≦ B · N, ρ ′ (x0, y) ≦ B · N
Since N, y is added to Xn + 1, and d is ρ ′ (x0,
y) = ρ ′ (x0, x) + ρ (d) / ω (t, d)
And (iii) conditions (i) and (ii) are not met
In a case, at a certain route (d0, d1,..., Dk), Σ_{i ≦ k} If there is one satisfying ρ (di) / ω (t, di) ≦ B · N, y is added to Xn + 1, and ρ ′ (x0, y) = Σ_{i ≦ k} ρ (di) / ω (t, d
defined as i) and not one of (iv) (i) (ii) (iii)
In this case, by not adding y to Xn + 1,
A set of reachable intersections defined as described above {Xi}
Since the column of i is bounded upward, there exists a certain n and X
0 ≠ X1 ≠ X2 ≠... Xn = Xn + 1 =.
Xn is determined as a range that a car can reach
The vehicle reachable range display system according to claim 2,
M