JP2004140526A - Onboard apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an on-vehicle apparatus for informing a user about a time capable of making communication with an access point while a vehicle is driven so as to enable the user to grasp the time capable of making communication with the access point. <P>SOLUTION: The on-vehicle apparatus includes: a path searching section for searching the path of the vehicle; a storage section for storing positional information of the access point and the communication available range of the access point; an arithmetic section for calculating the communication available time with the access point on the basis of the vehicle velocity and the geographical relation between the path and the communication available range; and a communication state notifying section for notifying the user of the information on the communication available time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an in-vehicle device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, such as a navigation device, enables connection of a communication device such as a mobile phone, a PHS (Personal Handy-Phone System) phone, and communication such as the mobile phone network and the PHS phone network. 2. Description of the Related Art In-vehicle devices that can be connected to the Internet via a network are provided. In this case, the user of the vehicle-mounted device, such as the driver of the vehicle and the passenger, can access various sites established on the Internet, send and receive e-mails, and the like while riding in the vehicle.
[0003]
In recent years, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) system has become widespread, and an access point called a hot spot (R) that allows an unspecified number of people to connect to the Internet via the wireless LAN system has been established. An in-vehicle device including a communication device for a wireless LAN system has also been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this case, when the vehicle is moved to the access point and falls within the communicable range of the access point, the in-vehicle device can be connected to the access point via a wireless LAN system. You can connect to the Internet from. Since the communication speed of the wireless LAN system is higher than that of a normal mobile telephone network or PHS telephone network, large-volume data transmission / reception can be performed at high speed by connecting to the access point.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-236632 [0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional navigation device, when the vehicle is traveling on the road, the user cannot know how long it is possible to connect to the access point. As a result, the vehicle may be out of the communicable range of the access point while connecting to the access point and downloading data, and the data download may be interrupted. In this case, the data must be downloaded from the beginning, which is extremely inconvenient.
[0006]
The present invention solves the problems of the conventional navigation device, and notifies the time during which the vehicle can communicate with the access point so that the user can grasp the time during which the vehicle can communicate with the access point. It is intended to provide an in-vehicle device.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Therefore, in the in-vehicle device of the present invention, a route search unit that searches for a route of a vehicle, a storage unit that stores position information of an access point and a communicable range of the access point, It has a calculation unit for calculating a communicable time with the access point based on a geographical relationship and a vehicle speed, and a communication state notifying unit for notifying information on the communicable time.
[0008]
In another in-vehicle device according to the present invention, the arithmetic unit calculates a required communication time based on an amount of data to be downloaded, and the communication state notifying unit downloads the required communication time based on the available communication time and the required communication time. Notify if it is possible.
[0009]
In still another in-vehicle device according to the present invention, the calculation unit calculates the required communication time based on the measured communication speed with the access point.
[0010]
In still another in-vehicle device according to the present invention, the communication state notifying unit notifies a condition for downloading data.
[0011]
In still another on-vehicle device of the present invention, the calculation unit calculates a change in a communicable time corresponding to a change in the vehicle speed, and the communication state notification unit calculates a vehicle speed corresponding to a predetermined communicable time. Notify.
[0012]
In still another in-vehicle device according to the present invention, the communication status notification unit reports a downloadable vehicle speed.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication system between the navigation device and the home access point according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0015]
In the figure, reference numeral 14 denotes a navigation device as an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle such as a car, truck, bus, or motorcycle, and a wireless LAN device 58 is connected to an interface 63 of the navigation device 14. Here, the wireless LAN device 58 is, for example, a wireless LAN card, and the interface 63 is a card slot into which the wireless LAN card is inserted and loaded.
[0016]
FIG. 2 shows a state in which a vehicle (not shown) is parked in an operator such as a driver, a passenger, an owner, or the like of the vehicle, that is, in a user parking lot 62 which is a parking lot used by the user. I have. Reference numeral 61 denotes a user residence where the user resides, and an access point 65 which is a wireless base station for communicating with the wireless LAN device 58 by a wireless LAN system is provided.
[0017]
Here, the access point 65 is, for example, a wireless LAN adapter, and uses a 2.4 GHz ISM band, 5.2 GHz band, 19 GHz band quasi-millimeter wave, or infrared rays. Thus, communication with the navigation device 14 is performed by a wireless LAN system. As the wireless LAN system in this case, for example, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11e, IEEE 802.11g, or the like, or Bluetooth adopted as a home wireless system is used.
[0018]
Here, when communication between the wireless LAN device 58 and the access point 65 is performed by a normal wireless LAN system, the communicable range is a radius of about 10 to 100 [m] around the access point 65. It is assumed that the vehicle is parked within the range.
[0019]
Reference numeral 55 denotes an operation terminal operated by the user, which includes arithmetic means such as a CPU and an MPU, storage means such as a semiconductor memory and a magnetic disk, display means such as a CRT, a liquid crystal display, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) display, a keyboard, It is a kind of computer provided with input means such as a joystick, a touch panel, a tablet, a push button, a rotary dial, a remote controller, and an input / output interface. The operation terminal 55 may be of any type, for example, a personal computer, a mobile phone, a PHS phone, a stationary phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), an electronic organizer, a portable information terminal, a game machine, a digital television, and the like. The operation terminal 55 is connected to the access point 65 by wire or wirelessly, and can communicate with the navigation device 14 via the access point 65.
[0020]
Further, the operation terminal 55 is connected to the network 51. The network 51 is, for example, the Internet, but may be of any type such as a wired or wireless public communication network, a dedicated communication network, an intranet, a LAN, and a WAN (Wide Area Network). Any type of communication network may be appropriately combined. In addition, it is desirable that an information providing device such as a web server that provides various data such as map data, music data, image data, and character data can be accessed via the network 51. In this case, it is desirable that the network 51 be capable of high-speed communication with a large capacity. For example, when the network 51 is the Internet, it is a broadband capable of high-speed communication of several Mbps (Mega bit per second) or more. Any communication method may be used. In this case, the access point 65 is a relay device between the operation terminal 55 and the navigation device 14, and connects the navigation device 14 to the network 51.
[0021]
Reference numeral 52 denotes an application server connected to the network 51, which includes calculation means such as a CPU and an MPU, storage means such as a semiconductor memory and a magnetic disk, display means such as a CRT, a liquid crystal display, and an LED display, a keyboard, a touch panel, and a tablet. , A push button, a mouse and other input means, an input / output interface, and the like. The application server 52 is, for example, a web server connected to the Internet, but may be of any type such as a personal computer and a workstation. The application server 52 may be configured independently, may be a distributed server in which a plurality of servers are organically combined, or may be built in a large computer. It may be one of the systems. The application server 52 includes map data, road data, photograph data, and facility information data in which information on facilities such as hotels, gas stations, and tourist information centers in each region is recorded. Navigation device data, navigation device 14 update program, personal information management software available for the navigation device 14, application programs such as game software, music and video data entertainment software, and companies sell or provide. It distributes advertisements, advertisements, and the like for the products and services to be made via the network 51.
[0022]
If the application server 52 has a function of searching for a route and a function of searching for a point or a facility as in a normal navigation device, the operation terminal 55 is operated to operate the departure point and the destination. , Search conditions, search conditions, etc., can be transmitted to the application server 52 to search for a route or to search for a point or facility. Then, data relating to the searched route, the searched points, facilities, and the like are returned to the operation terminal 55.
[0023]
In the present embodiment, the navigation device 14 includes an application server 52 connected to the operation terminal 55 or the network 51 by the wireless LAN system via the access point 65 while the vehicle is parked in the user parking lot 62. You can communicate with.
[0024]
In this case, the user can operate the operation terminal 55 to download data to the navigation device 14. Here, the data includes the data for the navigation device, a program for updating the navigation device 14, an application program, software for games, software for entertainment, data on a searched route, data on a searched point, facility, and the like. .
[0025]
For example, when the application server 52 provides the latest version of map data as data for a navigation device, the user operates an operation terminal 55 to transmit desired map data from the application server 52 to the network 51. Downloaded to the operation terminal 55 via the operation terminal 55. Then, the map data can be transferred to the navigation device 14 via the access point 65 and downloaded, and the map data stored in the navigation device 14 can be upgraded. Note that the map data may be directly downloaded from the application server 52 to the navigation device 14 without temporarily downloading to the operation terminal 55.
[0026]
When the navigation device 14 is a device capable of rewriting a driving program, a user may download a driving program for updating from the application server 52 to the navigation device 14. Further, when the navigation device 14 has a function as a vehicle audio device, the user operates the operation terminal 55 to edit the music, transfers the music to the navigation device 14, and stores the music in the navigation device 14. be able to. When the application server 52 distributes music, the user operates the operation terminal 55 to download a desired music from the application server 52, transfer the music to the navigation device 14, and store the music in the navigation device 14. be able to. Note that the music may be directly downloaded from the application server 52 to the navigation device 14.
[0027]
When the navigation device 14 has a function as a still image or video image reproducing device, image data of a movie or the like can be stored in the navigation device 14 in the same manner as music. Further, image data such as a still image and a video image photographed by a user himself / herself by operating a digital camera or a video camera can be transferred from the operation terminal 55 to the navigation device 14 and stored in the navigation device 14. .
[0028]
Further, when the navigation device 14 has a function of managing and displaying a schedule and a schedule, the user operates the operation terminal 55 to operate personal information management software such as a PIM (Personal Information Management). The data, such as a schedule and a schedule, created by using the above can be transferred to the navigation device 14 and stored in the navigation device 14.
[0029]
Note that even when the vehicle is parked in a place other than the user parking lot 62, the data can be downloaded to the navigation device 14. For example, on-the-go parking lots (for example, parking lots of commercial facilities such as department stores, supermarkets and convenience stores, parking lots of recreational facilities such as theme parks and game centers, and restaurants such as fast food restaurants and coffee shops). An access point called a hot spot (R) in which an unspecified number of people can connect to the Internet via a wireless LAN system in a parking lot, a parking lot around a transportation facility such as a train station, an airfield, etc. It is assumed that the access point 65 is connected to the network 51 and a vehicle is parked in the parking lot. In this case, by performing communication between the wireless LAN device 58 and the access point 65 by the wireless LAN system, map data and map data are transmitted from the application server 52 in the same manner as when the vehicle is parked in the user parking lot 62. Songs, video data, and the like can be downloaded to the navigation device 14 by the wireless LAN system. Thus, the user can download desired data to the navigation device 14 even when going out. In the case where the parking lot is a toll parking lot, the access point 65 is connected to a computer that manages the toll parking lot, and provides data on the parking time and the parking fee of the vehicle that is managed by the computer. Alternatively, the data may be downloaded from the access point 65 to the navigation device 14.
[0030]
Further, the computer for managing the toll parking lot provides information on various facilities such as department stores and theme parks around the toll parking lot, for example, data on maps and special sales, prizes, business hours, entertainments and the like in the facility. In the case of such a device, data on various facilities may be downloaded from the access point 65 to the navigation device 14. Thereby, the user can grasp information on various facilities around the toll parking lot. Further, advertisement data such as merchandise sold by stores or other companies, services provided, images of the company itself, and advertisement data such as advertisements may be downloaded from the access point 65 to the navigation device 14.
[0031]
Further, it is assumed that the access point 65 is provided in a parking meter and the vehicle is parked in a parking space on a road. In this case, as in the case where the vehicle is parked in the user parking lot 62, map data, music, video data, and the like are downloaded from the application server 52 to the navigation device 14 via the access point 65 by the wireless LAN system. Can be done. Thus, the user can download desired data to the navigation device 14 even when going out.
[0032]
Then, it is assumed that the access point 65 is provided in the parking lot at the work place of the user, and the vehicle is parked in the parking lot at the work place. In this case, as in the case where the vehicle is parked in the user parking lot 62, map data, music, video data, and the like are downloaded from the application server 52 to the navigation device 14 via the access point 65 by the wireless LAN system. Can be done. Thus, the user can download desired data to the navigation device 14 even during work.
[0033]
Furthermore, even if the vehicle is traveling, if the vehicle is traveling within the communicable range of the access point 65 disposed in the parking lot or other place, the map data, music, Video data and the like can be downloaded to the navigation device 14 via the access point 65 by the wireless LAN system. This allows the user to download desired data to the navigation device 14 even while traveling.
[0034]
Next, the configuration of the navigation device 14 according to the present embodiment will be described.
[0035]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating functions of the navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0036]
In the present embodiment, the navigation device 14 is a kind of computer, and from a functional viewpoint, as shown in FIG. 3, a vehicle position information output unit 15 that detects a current position and outputs vehicle position information, A data recording unit 16 as a recording medium on which data and the like are recorded; a navigation processing unit 17 for performing various arithmetic processes such as a navigation process based on the input information; an input unit 34; a display unit 35; , An audio output unit 37 and a communication unit 38. A vehicle speed sensor 27 is connected to the navigation processing unit 17.
[0037]
The vehicle position information output unit 15 includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor 21, a geomagnetic sensor 22, a distance sensor 23, a steering sensor 24, a beacon sensor 25, a gyro sensor 26, an altimeter (not shown), and the like. Some of the GPS sensor 21, the geomagnetic sensor 22, the distance sensor 23, the steering sensor 24, the beacon sensor 25, the gyro sensor 26, the altimeter, and the like can be appropriately omitted from the viewpoint of manufacturing costs and the like.
[0038]
The GPS sensor 21 detects a current position on the earth by receiving a radio wave generated by an artificial satellite, and the geomagnetic sensor 22 detects a direction in which the vehicle is facing by measuring geomagnetism. The distance sensor 23 detects a distance between predetermined positions on a road. As the distance sensor 23, for example, a sensor that measures the number of rotations of a wheel and detects a distance based on the number of rotations, a sensor that measures acceleration, and detects a distance by integrating the acceleration twice, and the like are used. can do.
[0039]
The steering sensor 24 detects a rudder angle. As the steering sensor 24, for example, an optical rotation sensor, a rotation resistance sensor, or a wheel mounted on a rotating portion of a steering wheel (not shown) is mounted on a wheel. The used angle sensor and the like are used.
[0040]
The beacon sensor 25 receives the position information from the beacon disposed along the road and detects the current position. The gyro sensor 26 detects a rotational angular velocity of the vehicle, that is, a turning angle. As the gyro sensor 26, for example, a gas rate gyro, a vibration gyro, or the like is used. Then, by integrating the turning angle detected by the gyro sensor 26, the direction in which the vehicle is facing can be detected.
[0041]
The GPS sensor 21 and the beacon sensor 25 can each independently detect the current position. The current position can also be detected by combining the distance detected by the distance sensor 23 and the azimuth detected by the geomagnetic sensor 22 and the gyro sensor 26. Further, the current position can be detected by combining the distance detected by the distance sensor 23 and the steering angle detected by the steering sensor 24.
[0042]
The data recording unit 16 records a map data file, an intersection data file, a node data file, a road data file, a photograph data file, and information on facilities such as hotels, gas stations, and tourist information centers in each region. It has a database consisting of facility information data files. In addition to the data for searching the route, the data recording unit 16 displays a guide map along the searched route on the screen of the display unit 35, or displays a characteristic photograph at the intersection or the route. , And various data for displaying the distance to the next intersection, the traveling direction at the next intersection, and other guidance information are recorded. The data recording unit 16 also records various data for outputting predetermined information by the audio output unit 37.
[0043]
By the way, intersection data is recorded in the intersection data file, node data is recorded in the node data file, and road data is recorded in the road data file. The road condition is displayed on the screen by the intersection data, the node data and the road data. Is displayed. The intersection data includes the type of the intersection, that is, whether the intersection is an intersection where a traffic light is installed or an intersection where no traffic light is installed. The node data constitutes at least a position and a shape of a road in the map data recorded in the map data file, and includes an actual road junction (including an intersection, a T-shaped road, etc.) and a node point. , And data indicating links connecting the respective node points. Further, the node point indicates at least the position of a turning point on the road.
[0044]
The road data includes, for the road itself, a width, a gradient, a cant, an altitude, a bank, a road surface condition, the number of lanes of the road, a point where the number of lanes decreases, a point where the width decreases, and the like. Contains data. In the case of an expressway or a highway, each of the lanes in the opposite direction is stored as separate road data, and is processed as a two-way road. For example, in the case of an arterial road having two or more lanes on one side, it is processed as a two-way road, and the upward lane and the downward lane are stored in the road data as independent roads. The corner includes data such as a radius of curvature, an intersection, a T-junction, and a corner entrance. Further, the road attributes include data such as railroad crossings, expressway entrance rampways, tollgates on expressways, downhills, uphills, road types (national roads, major local roads, general roads, expressways, etc.).
[0045]
Further, the navigation processing unit 17 includes a CPU 31 for controlling the entire navigation device 14, a processor 31 as arithmetic means such as an MPU, a RAM 32 used as a working memory when the processor 31 performs various arithmetic processes, And a ROM 33 as a recording medium on which various programs for searching for a route to the destination, traveling guidance in the route, determining a specific section, searching for points, facilities, and the like are recorded in addition to the control program. . The input unit 34, the display unit 35, the audio input unit 36, the audio output unit 37, and the communication unit 38 are connected to the navigation processing unit 17. Then, various processes such as route search, travel guidance on the route, determination of a specific section, search of points, facilities, and the like are executed. Note that some of the audio input unit 36 and the audio output unit 37 can be omitted as appropriate from the viewpoint of manufacturing costs and the like.
[0046]
The computer-readable recording medium on which the navigation program is recorded is not only a semiconductor memory but also a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a magnetic drum, a CD-R / W, an MD, a DVD-RAM, a DVD-R / W, an optical disk. , MO, IC card, optical card, memory card, etc.
[0047]
The data recording section 16 and the ROM 33 are composed of a magnetic core, a semiconductor memory, and the like (not shown). The data recording unit 16 and the ROM 33 include a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a magnetic drum, a CD-R / W, an MD, a DVD-RAM, a DVD-R / W, an optical disk, an MO, an IC card, an optical card, and a memory card. And various other storage media. The storage medium may be preinstalled in the navigation device 14 or may be replaced as appropriate by the user.
[0048]
In the present embodiment, various programs are recorded in the ROM 33, and various data are recorded in the data recording unit 16. However, the programs and data are similarly recorded on an external storage medium. You can also. In this case, for example, a storage medium such as a flash memory (not shown) may be provided in the navigation processing unit 17, and the program and data may be read from the external storage medium and written to the storage medium. Therefore, the program and data can be updated by exchanging the external storage medium. As described above, it is possible to activate programs recorded on various storage media and perform various processes based on data. The external storage medium may be any type of magnetic tape, magnetic disk, magnetic drum, CD-R / W, MD, DVD-RAM, DVD-R / W, optical disk, MO, IC card, optical card, memory card, etc. It may be.
[0049]
Further, the communication section 38 has a card slot as an interface 63, and communicates with the access point 65 via a wireless LAN card as a wireless LAN device 58 inserted in the card slot. ing. The communication unit 38 receives various data such as road information such as traffic congestion and the like, traffic accident information, and D-GPS information for detecting a detection error of the GPS sensor 21, which are received by an information sensor (not shown). You can also. In the present embodiment, when data distributed from the application server 52 connected to the network 51 is received by the communication unit 38, the data is stored in a readable / writable memory, for example, the RAM 32, a flash memory, a hard disk, And the like. Further, the data distributed from the application server 52 may be temporarily downloaded to the operation terminal 55 using the operation terminal 55, and then downloaded to the recording medium of the navigation device 14 from the operation terminal 55.
[0050]
The input unit 34 is used to correct a position at the start of traveling and to input a destination. The input unit 34 includes an operation key, a push button, a jog dial, and a cross It consists of keys and the like, but may be a remote controller. When the display unit 35 is a touch panel, it is preferable that the display unit 35 includes operation keys and operation switches displayed on the screen of the display unit 35. In this case, the input can be performed by pressing (touching) the operation switch like a normal touch panel.
The screen of the display unit 35 displays operation guidance, an operation menu, guidance of operation keys, a route from a current position to a destination, guidance information along the route, and the like. As the display unit 35, a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, an LED display, a plasma display, a hologram device that projects a hologram on a windshield, or the like can be used.
[0051]
The voice input unit 36 is configured by a microphone (not shown) or the like, and can input necessary information by voice. Further, the voice output unit 37 includes a voice synthesizer and a speaker (not shown), and outputs voice information, for example, guide information and speed change information composed of voice synthesized by the voice synthesizer from the speaker to notify the user. It should be noted that, in addition to the voice synthesized by the voice synthesizing device, various sounds and various kinds of guidance information recorded in advance on a tape, a memory, or the like can be output from a speaker.
[0052]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the navigation device 14 includes a route search unit 11 that searches for a route to a destination, an access point 65, and a communicable range of the access point 65 from a functional viewpoint. Based on the route to the destination, the location information of the communicable range of the access point 65, and the vehicle speed, as a time for passing through the communicable range of the access point 65 based on the vehicle speed. It has a calculation unit 13 for calculating time and a communication state notification unit 18 for notifying the user of information on the communicable time to the user.
[0053]
Here, the route search unit 11 searches for an optimal route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination set by the user based on data such as a road data file. In this case, a route is searched for by the same method as a normal navigation device.
[0054]
Further, the storage unit 12 stores access points 65 registered in advance and positional information of a communicable range of the access points 65. In this case, the access point 65 is an access point called a hot spot (R) that allows an unspecified number of people to connect to the Internet via a wireless LAN system, such as a fast food restaurant or a coffee shop. People and vehicles such as restaurants, convenience stores, supermarkets, shopping malls, etc., recreation facilities such as game arcades, cinema complexes, theme parks, gas stations, car shops, office parking lots, station squares, public parking lots, etc. Although it is arranged at a place where people gather, it may be arranged at any place.
The communicable range of the access point 65 is generally in a range of a radius of about 10 to 100 [m] around the access point 65, but differs depending on the situation of each access point 65.
[0055]
The access point 65 and the position information of the communicable range of the access point 65 are downloaded from the application server 52 by the user operating the operation terminal 55 disposed in the user's residence 61 and then transmitted from the operation terminal 55. The data may be transferred to the navigation device 14 or downloaded from the application server 52 directly to the navigation device 14. When the application server 52 manages the content and data amount of the latest data that can be downloaded from each access point 65, in addition to the position information of the access point 65 and the communicable range of the access point 65, The content and amount of data that can be downloaded from the access point 65 can be downloaded to the navigation device 14. The position information of the access point 65 and the communicable range of the access point 65 is stored in a magnetic tape, magnetic disk, magnetic drum, CD-R / W, MD, DVD-RAM, DVD-R as the data recording unit 16. / W, an optical disk, an MO, an IC card, an optical card, a memory card, or another recording medium.
[0056]
Here, the storage unit 12 includes a first storage unit that stores each access point 65 and positional information of a communicable range of the access point 65, an access point 65 read from the first storage unit, and the access point 65. Desirably, it is divided into a second storage unit for storing position information of 65 communicable ranges. In this case, the first storage unit stores a very large number of access points 65 and positional information of a communicable range of the access points 65, and the second storage unit stores the number of access points extracted from the large number of access points 65. The access point 65 and the position information of the communicable range of the access point 65 are stored for the purpose of use by the calculation unit 13. The first storage unit and the second storage unit may be storage areas developed on physically different storage media, or different storage areas developed on the same physical storage medium. It may be an area.
[0057]
The calculating unit 13 determines a route overlapping the communicable range of the access point 65 based on the geographical relationship between the route searched by the route searching unit 11 and the communicable range of each access point 65. Is calculated, and the time required to pass through the section is calculated based on the vehicle speed, and the calculated time is used as the communicable time with the access point 65. In this case, the calculation unit 13 is an access point 65 whose communication range is overlapped with the route, and for all the access points 65 existing within a predetermined distance from the current position, for example, about 10,000 [m]. , The time to pass through the section is calculated. The calculation unit 13 repeatedly calculates the communicable time at predetermined time intervals (for example, 100 [msec]).
[0058]
Further, the communication state notifying unit 18 notifies the user of the information on the communicable time calculated by the arithmetic unit 13 by displaying the information on the screen of the display unit 35 or outputting sound from the sound output unit 37. For example, a message “communication is possible for XX seconds” can be displayed on the screen of the display unit 35 or can be output as audio. In addition, the sound output unit 37 may output a beep sound at an interval proportional to the vehicle speed while the vehicle is passing through a section of the route that overlaps the communicable range of the access point 65. In this case, if the vehicle speed increases during traveling and the communicable time becomes shorter than initially notified, the interval between beep sounds becomes shorter. For example, it changes from "Pippi" to "Pippi". Thereby, the user can recognize that the communicable time is short.
[0059]
When the amount of data that can be downloaded at the access point 65 is stored in the first storage unit, that is, when the amount of data downloaded from the access point 65 is known in advance, the arithmetic unit 13 It is also possible to calculate a communication required time as a time required for downloading data as a condition for downloading data based on a communication speed between the access point 65 and the wireless LAN device 58. Note that the communication speed changes according to the communication conditions at the access points 65 and the like, and it is therefore preferable to use a numerically processed value at each access point 65, for example, an average value. Also, the communication speed when the wireless LAN device 58 actually communicates with the access point 65 can be measured and used. In this case, the communication speed measured in the past can be statistically processed and used. Thus, the communication state notifying unit 18 can notify whether data can be downloaded based on the required communication time and the communicable time.
[0060]
Further, the calculation unit 13 can calculate a change in the communicable time corresponding to a change in the vehicle speed. In this case, the communication state notifying unit 18 can notify a vehicle speed for securing a predetermined communicable time. For example, a message “communication is possible for about 20 seconds if the vehicle runs at a speed of 20 [km / h] or less” can be displayed on the screen of the display unit 35, or can be output as sound. Further, the communication state notifying unit 18 can notify a condition for downloading predetermined data based on the communication required time and a change in a communicable time corresponding to a change in vehicle speed. For example, the message "You must run at 20 km / h or less to download this data." Or "It is recommended that you stop to download this data." It can be displayed on the screen of the unit 35 and output audio.
[0061]
Next, the operation of the navigation device 14 having the above configuration will be described. First, an operation before the vehicle runs will be described.
[0062]
FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an operation of a navigation device when extracting access points along a route of a vehicle and position information of a communicable range of the access points according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between the arrangement of access points and a route of a vehicle in the embodiment.
[0063]
First, when the user operates the input unit 34 to input a destination and performs an operation of searching for a route, the route search unit 11 performs a user search based on data such as a road data file from the current position of the vehicle. Search for the optimal route to the destination set by. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 51 denotes a vehicle, and 52 denotes a route from the current position of the vehicle 51 to a destination. Here, the case where the vehicle 51 travels on the route 52 from the current position to the destination will be described.
[0064]
Subsequently, based on the geographical relationship between the route searched by the route search unit 11 and the communicable range of each access point 65, the calculation unit 13 determines the access point whose communicable range overlaps with the route 52. Search 65. In FIG. 5, reference numerals 65-1 to 65-7 denote access points called hot spots (R) that allow an unspecified number of people to connect to the Internet via a wireless LAN system. Food restaurants, coffee shops and other restaurants, convenience stores, supermarkets, shopping malls and other stores, game centers, cinema complexes, theme parks and other recreational facilities, gas stations, car shops, office parking lots, station squares, public areas Although it is arranged at a place where people and vehicles gather, such as a parking lot, it may be arranged at any place. Also, 66-1 to 66-7 indicate the communicable ranges of the access points 65-1 to 65-7, respectively. The communicable range 66-1 to 66-7 generally has a radius of about 10 to 100 [m] centered on the access points 51-1 to 51-7. Will change accordingly. When the access points 65-1 to 65-7 and the communicable ranges 66-1 to 66-7 are described in an integrated manner, they will be described as the access point 65 and the communicable range 66, respectively. The position information of the access point 65 and the communicable range 66 is registered and stored in the first storage unit of the storage unit 12 in advance.
[0065]
Then, it is determined whether or not there is a search result, that is, whether or not the access point 65 whose communication range 66 overlaps with the route 52 has been searched. If there is no search result, the process is terminated. I do. If there is a search result, the operation unit 13 acquires the position information of the corresponding access point 65 and the communicable range 66, that is, stores the position information of the corresponding access point 65 and the communicable range 66 in the second storage unit. Store. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, among the access points 65-1 to 65-7, the access points 65-1, 65-2, 65-3, and 65-4 have a communicable range 66-1, 66-2, 66-3, and 66-4 overlap the route 52, and the access points 65-5, 65-6, and 65-7 have communication ranges 66-5, 66-6, and 66-7. It can be seen that the path 52 does not overlap. That is, the navigation device 14 of the vehicle 51 traveling on the route 52 can sequentially communicate with the access points 65-1, 65-2, 65-3, and 65-4.
[0066]
Subsequently, the arithmetic unit 13 determines the communicable range 66-1 based on the geographical relationship between the route 52 and each of the communicable ranges 66-1, 66-2, 66-3, and 66-4. , 66-2, 66-3, and 66-4 are calculated. Then, the length of the section of the route 52 overlapping the communicable range 66-1, 66-2, 66-3, and 66-4 is determined by the access points 65-1, 65-2, 65-3, and 65-. The information is stored and stored in the second storage unit together with the position information of No. 4.
[0067]
Next, the flowchart will be described.
Step S1 Enter a destination.
Step S2: Search for the route 52.
Step S3 Search for an access point 65 along the route 52 and the communicable range 66 overlap.
Step S4: It is determined whether or not there is a search result. If there is a search result, the process proceeds to step S5; otherwise, the process ends.
Step S5 The position information of the searched access point 65 and the communicable range 66 is obtained.
Step S6: Calculate the length of the section where the communicable range 66 and the route 52 overlap.
Step S7: The position information of each access point 65 and the length of the section are stored, and the process is terminated.
[0068]
Next, an operation when the vehicle is traveling will be described.
[0069]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device when notifying the user of the communicable time with the access point along the route of the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0070]
First, when the vehicle is traveling on the route 52 to the destination according to the route guidance, the vehicle position information output unit 15 of the navigation device 14 detects the current position of the vehicle.
The vehicle position information output unit 15 repeats the operation of detecting the current position at predetermined time intervals (for example, 100 [msec]).
[0071]
In addition, the calculation unit 13 determines that the current position is within a predetermined distance range (for example, 500 [m]) from any of the access points 65-1, 65-2, 65-3, and 65-4 stored in the second storage unit. ]) Is determined. The determination as to whether or not the distance is within the predetermined distance range is repeated at predetermined time intervals (for example, 100 [msec]). If the current position of the vehicle is not within the predetermined distance range, the operation of detecting the current position of the vehicle is performed again.
[0072]
Then, the current position is determined from one of the access points 65-1, 65-2, 65-3, and 65-4 stored in the second storage unit, for example, from the nearest access point 65-1. If the distance is within the distance range, the calculation unit 13 determines a route overlapping the communicable range 66-1 based on the geographical relationship between the route 52 and the communicable range 66-1 of the access point 65-1. The length of the section 52, that is, the section length is calculated. Subsequently, the calculation unit 13 acquires the current traveling speed, that is, the vehicle speed from the vehicle speed sensor 27, and calculates a communicable time as a time for passing through the section based on the vehicle speed.
[0073]
Subsequently, the communication state notifying unit 18 notifies the user of the communicable time calculated by the arithmetic unit 13 by displaying the communicable time on the screen of the display unit 35 or outputting sound from the sound output unit 37. For example, a message “communication is possible for XX seconds” is displayed on the screen of the display unit 35, or audio is output.
[0074]
Next, the flowchart will be described.
Step S11: The current position is detected.
Step S12: It is determined whether or not the current position is within a predetermined distance from the access point 65. If it is within the predetermined distance, the process proceeds to step S13, and if it is not within the predetermined distance, the process returns to step S11.
Step S13: The length of the section where the communicable range 66 and the route 52 overlap is calculated.
Step S14: Acquire the current traveling speed.
Step S15: A communication available time is calculated.
Step S16: The communicable time is notified, and the process ends.
[0075]
Next, a description will be given of an operation for notifying that data cannot be downloaded from the access point 65.
[0076]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device when notifying the user that data cannot be downloaded from the access point according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0077]
First, when the current position is within a predetermined distance range from the communicable range 66 of the access point 65, the calculating unit 13 calculates a communicable time corresponding to the vehicle speed at that time. Subsequently, the calculation unit 13 calculates a communication time required as a time required to download data based on a communication speed between the access point 65 and the wireless LAN device 58, and calculates the communication time. It is determined whether or not it is longer than the communication available time. In this case, the amount of data downloaded from the access point 65 is determined in advance by, for example, storing the amount of data that can be downloaded at the access point 65 in the first storage unit. I do.
[0078]
If the required communication time is not longer than the communicable time, the download of the data is started when the vehicle 51 enters the communicable range 66. When the required communication time is longer than the communicable time, the communication state notification unit 18 displays on the screen of the display unit 35 that data cannot be downloaded, or outputs audio from the audio output unit 37. To inform the user. For example, a message “This data cannot be downloaded” is displayed on the screen of the display unit 35, or audio is output.
[0079]
Next, the flowchart will be described.
Step S21: Calculate the communicable time corresponding to the vehicle speed.
Step S22: It is determined whether the data download time is longer than the communicable time. If it is longer, the process proceeds to step S24. If it is not longer, the process proceeds to step S23.
Step S23: Start data download and end the process.
Step S24: Notifies that download is impossible, and ends the process.
[0080]
As described above, in the present embodiment, when the vehicle 51 is traveling according to the route guidance, the communication available time with the access point 65 disposed along the route 52 is reported by the communication status reporting unit 18. Therefore, the user can grasp the time during which communication with the access point 65 is possible, and can efficiently download data from the access point 65 even while traveling.
[0081]
When the amount of data to be downloaded is known in advance, whether or not downloading is possible is notified based on the communicable time with the access point 65 and the required communication time for download. You can select whether to download data.
[0082]
Further, since the vehicle speed corresponding to the required communication time for downloading the data is notified, the user can run at an appropriate vehicle speed.
[0083]
Further, since the required time for communication with the access point 65 is calculated based on the actually measured communication speed, the accurate required time for communication can be notified.
[0084]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified based on the gist of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.
[0085]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the time during which the vehicle can communicate with the access point is notified while the vehicle is traveling, so that the user can grasp the time during which communication with the access point is possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an operation of a navigation device when extracting an access point along a route of a vehicle and position information of a communicable range of the access point in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication system between a navigation device and a home access point according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing functions of the navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a relationship between an arrangement of access points and a route of a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the navigation device when notifying a user of a communicable time with an access point along a route of a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the navigation device when notifying to the user that data cannot be downloaded from the access point according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 11 route search unit 12 storage unit 13 calculation unit 14 navigation device 18 communication status notification unit 51 vehicle 52 route 65, 65-1, 65-2, 65-3, 65-4, 65-5, 65-6, 65- 7 Access points 66, 66-1, 66-2, 66-3, 66-4, 66-5, 66-6, 66-7 Communication range

Claims (6)

(A) a route search unit that searches for a route of a vehicle;
(B) a storage unit for storing position information of an access point and a communicable range of the access point;
(C) a calculating unit that calculates a communicable time with the access point based on a geographical relationship between the route and the communicable range and a vehicle speed;
(D) a vehicle-mounted device that includes a communication state notification unit that notifies information on the communicable time. The method according to claim 1, wherein the calculating unit calculates a required communication time based on an amount of data to be downloaded, and the communication state notifying unit notifies whether or not downloading is possible based on the communicable time and the required communication time. The in-vehicle device according to the above. The in-vehicle device according to claim 2, wherein the calculation unit calculates the required communication time based on the measured communication speed with the access point. The in-vehicle device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the communication state notification unit notifies a condition for downloading data. The in-vehicle device according to claim 4, wherein the calculation unit calculates a change in a communicable time corresponding to a change in the vehicle speed, and the communication state notification unit notifies a vehicle speed corresponding to a predetermined communicable time. The in-vehicle device according to claim 5, wherein the communication state notification unit reports a downloadable vehicle speed.

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