JP2006329983A - Method and apparatus for providing traffic news to vehicles on demand - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and an apparatus for providing traffic news to a vehicle on demand.
In this invention, the sender information is input using the input unit (21), and the sender's traffic news is received using the receiving unit (25). The traffic news identified by the sender information is reproduced by voice using the reproduction unit (26), and at this time, the storage unit information including at least one place data is obtained using the input unit (21). The position of the vehicle is input using the position measuring unit (23), and the reproduction of the traffic information is controlled according to the position of the vehicle relative to the location data using the control unit (24). is there.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a device based on the superordinate concept of claim 1 and a method based on the superordinate concept of claim 8.

  Today, it is common for senders to transmit traffic information in the form of traffic news. In this case, particularly in Japan, it is common that traffic information is related only to regions that are narrow and limited in each region. These traffic information is broadcast by a special sender, and the program is composed of repeated traffic news. This means that traffic news is continuously sent out in a never-ending broadcast format. This broadcast is regularly adapted to the traffic conditions at that time.

  In the prior art, an apparatus and a method for reproducing a received program by voice only to a driver only when a selected sender transmits traffic news are known. Such a system uses, for example, a radio data system (RDS) devised by the European Broadcasting Union. In this case, additional information that cannot be heard is transmitted in addition to the program information by voice. With this additional information, traffic news can be characterized so that the receiver can identify the traffic news. Therefore, for example, it is possible to interrupt the reproduction of the CD, reproduce the traffic news, and continue the reproduction of the CD after the traffic news ends.

  A disadvantage of this known system is that it is not suitable for providing traffic news on demand, especially in areas where locally limited traffic news is continuously available.

  From the above, the technical problem of the present invention is that it can be adopted in an area where the sender continuously transmits traffic news, for providing traffic news to vehicles on demand. Implementing a method and apparatus.

  This object is achieved according to the invention by a device having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of claim 8. Advantageous embodiments of the invention become apparent from the dependent claims.

  In this regard, it is possible to input storage point information including at least one location data using an input unit, and the vehicle has a location measuring unit for measuring the location of the vehicle and the location data. And a control unit for controlling the reproduction of traffic news according to the relative position of the vehicle. This provides the advantage that traffic news is only played when the vehicle is in a position that has a predetermined relationship to the input location. In this way, when the driver is at a predetermined position, the driver can hear traffic news as intended. If the driver is on the way home from work, for example, the driver will give a predetermined location and make a driving direction decision to reach the home or residence via various routes at that location. Can be defeated. If the vehicle is far away from this predetermined location, the traffic information is not useful to the driver. At this point, the driver can listen to music stored on a CD, for example. A storage point is determined so that the driver can know the traffic situation before reaching the predetermined place. The storage point is characterized by storage point information. This information includes location data in addition to the sender information. The storage points are advantageously selected in relation to the driving route before each predetermined location. When the vehicle approaches or reaches the storage point, the reproduction of the CD is interrupted and the reproduction of traffic news is started. In other words, when a given location is reached, the driver will be able to obtain the necessary information and make a decision as to which route of the various driving routes will be favored on the return route. Is possible.

  Advantageously, another criterion is taken into account to determine whether traffic news should be played or possibly received. Therefore, in an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the input of the storage point information using the input unit is a start condition including one or more of a radius condition, a traveling direction condition, a traveling surface condition, and a time range condition. Initiate the start and / or reception of traffic news and / or reception using the control unit only if one start condition or multiple start conditions are included, alternatively or in a superimposed manner In particular, when the center is determined by the location data and the vehicle position is in a circle whose radius is determined by the radius condition, the radius condition is satisfied and the travel direction of the vehicle is When the direction condition is met, the traveling direction condition is satisfied, and when the vehicle traveling surface position matches the traveling surface condition, the traveling surface condition is satisfied, and the time is within a time range determined by the time range condition. Have If, defined as a time range condition is satisfied. These various starting conditions allow the storage point to be determined such that the storage point is optimally adapted to the driver's requirements. Using the radius condition, the vehicle can be received and reproduced at the same time as reaching the circumference surrounding the location data determined by the radius condition. Furthermore, even when the vehicle has not reached the place determined by the place data and is “passing” on a road parallel to the vehicle, for example, the reproduction is performed.

  Also, using the driving direction condition, only when the driver moves in a direction where the driving direction can be determined at or near the place determined by the location data, Traffic news can be played back or received.

  The running surface condition is particularly advantageous when the roads are arranged one above the other. For example, traffic news can be involved in the decision only when the vehicle moves on a running surface that includes a “normal” road corresponding to the ground surface. On the other hand, if the vehicle is at the same position but on a higher driving surface such as a highway, traffic news can be prevented from being involved.

  In addition, the time range condition is advantageous when considering only a predetermined time or a predetermined day of the week related to another travel route during a day when traffic is congested.

  Another start condition that affects the start of playback and reception of traffic news can also be entered and taken into account using the input unit.

  An advantageous improvement of the present invention is that control is only performed as long as the input of storage point information includes the input of playback conditions, and one or more of the playback conditions are alternatively or in a superimposed manner. The device starts and / or receives traffic news, and the playback conditions include, in particular, one or more of section conditions, area conditions, and time interval conditions. As long as the vehicle does not return to the section of the section condition from a predetermined location in the section larger than the section condition, the region condition is satisfied as long as the vehicle position is within the region determined by the region condition, and the time interval The condition is defined to be satisfied unless a time greater than the time interval condition has passed since a predetermined time point. By doing so, it is possible to reproduce the traffic news only as long as the vehicle has a predetermined relationship with the place determined by the place data of the storage point. For example, after passing through a place determined by the place data, the driver can request to reproduce traffic news for a predetermined section. Alternatively or additionally, the area in which the vehicle must stay in order to determine the playback of traffic news can be determined. Alternatively or additionally, the driver can decide to perform regeneration only for the time range determined by the time interval condition. The determined area can have an arbitrary shape such as an elliptical or circular area. Advantageously, this area is determined by marking the area on a map displayed on the input unit.

  An advantageous refinement provides that the input of storage point information includes the input of the name of the storage point. By doing so, it is possible to uniquely identify the storage location and, in some cases, assign a location by name.

  Another improved configuration of the present invention provides that storage point information can be stored in a storage device. In this way, the driver has to input the storage point information only once, but it can be used many times.

  A particularly advantageous refinement of the invention stipulates that storage point information can be input to a plurality of storage points, can be stored, or both. This makes it possible to reproduce traffic news at different locations.

  A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the navigation infotainment unit includes a device for providing traffic news in response to this request.

  The features of the improved configuration of the method according to the invention have the same advantages as the corresponding features of the device according to the invention.

  In the following, the invention will be described in detail on the basis of advantageous embodiments.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a map 1 in which a storage point 2 is entered. The storage point 2 is characterized by a flag figure 3. An end point 4 immediately below the flag graphic 3 indicates the location of the storage point 2 on the map 1. Various storage location information is assigned to the storage location 2. The storage point information includes sender information schematically illustrated by the frequency data 5 in FIG. 1 in addition to the location data for specifying the storage point. The sender information includes a set of information such as the frequency, frequency band, and name of the transmitting station or sender that broadcasts traffic news that can be received at the storage location 2. The storage information at the storage point 2 further includes a start condition. The start condition includes a radius condition that defines the circle 6, the center of the circle is the storage point 2, and the radius of the circle is determined by the radius condition illustrated by the radius arrow 7.

  The stored point information further includes a traveling direction condition illustrated by a traveling direction arrow 8. The start condition of the storage point information of the storage point 2 further includes a traveling surface condition illustrated by the height data 9. The travel surface condition indicates the height at which the storage point 2 is present when there are a plurality of travel surfaces that are arranged one above the other at the storage point 2. This is the case, for example, when a highway runs on a viaduct across an urban area. Finally, the start condition includes a time domain condition represented symbolically by a frame 10 having a “day of the week” display.

  The start condition is used to determine whether or not to start reception and playback of traffic news broadcast from the sender determined by the sender information, and when to start. For this purpose, the position of the vehicle (not shown) is compared with the position of the storage point 2 constantly or at appropriate intervals. If the vehicle approaches the location of the storage point 2 and falls below the distance from the storage point 2 of the vehicle, in this case the radius condition, the vehicle enters the circle 6 and the radius condition is satisfied. Next, it is examined whether or not the traveling direction of the vehicle matches the traveling direction condition. The traveling direction of the vehicle can be detected by, for example, evaluating whether the destination point condition of the navigation system is running toward the destination point. Instead, the current traveling direction of the vehicle can be obtained by any other method. As a third condition, it is examined whether or not the position of the traveling surface of the vehicle matches the traveling surface condition. Finally, it is checked whether or not the time at that time (time of day, day of the week in some cases) is within the time range determined by the time range condition. If all start conditions are met, i.e., the vehicle is in a running direction that matches the vehicle direction condition 8 in the circle 6 at a time that matches the time range condition, at a position on the running surface that matches the running surface condition. If there is, the control unit (not shown) uses a receiving unit (not shown) to start receiving traffic news from the sender determined by the sender information. Traffic news is spoken to the vehicle driver through a playback unit (not shown). Playback and reception continues as long as playback conditions are met. The reproduction condition is also storage point information. The reproduction condition includes a section condition, a region condition, a time interval condition, or the like, alternatively or in a superimposed manner. The section condition illustrated by the section arrow 11 determines whether playback and reception should continue unless the vehicle has returned to the section that matches the section condition. The area 12 around the storage point 2 is determined according to the area condition. If the vehicle is in this area 12, traffic news reception and playback continues. Finally, the time interval condition plays a role of continuing reception and reproduction as long as it is within a time that meets the time interval condition. Various reproduction conditions can be selected individually or in any combination. Furthermore, in order to continue playback and reception, it can be determined that all playback conditions must be satisfied. Similarly, as long as one of the reproduction conditions or a combination of reproduction conditions is satisfied, it can be determined that the reception and reproduction of traffic news is continued.

  The storage point information further includes a name that enables the storage point to be identified. This name can be freely selected or automatically generated when entering the storage location information. In FIG. 1, this name is illustrated by using another frame 13 having a display of “name”.

  FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of an apparatus 20 for providing traffic news to vehicles on demand. The device 20 has an input unit 21. Using this input unit 21, storage time point information regarding the storage point is input. This input unit is any device suitable for inputting information. The input unit can include, for example, a touch screen unit, a voice recognition / voice identification unit, and the like. The input storage location information includes, in particular, location data, sender information, start conditions, and playback conditions. The start condition includes, for example, a radius condition, a traveling direction condition, a traveling surface condition, a time range condition, and the like. The reproduction conditions include, for example, section conditions, area conditions, time interval conditions, and the like. The input storage point information is stored in the storage device 22. The storage device 22 can store storage point information of a plurality of storage points. The position of the vehicle is obtained using the position measurement unit 23. This position measuring unit is advantageously configured as a satellite navigation unit and is a component of the navigation device. The control unit 24 compares the measured position of the vehicle with the location data of the storage point information of the storage points stored in the storage device 22. When the vehicle approaches the storage point, the control unit 24 checks whether the start condition is satisfied. If the start condition is met, the control unit 24 initiates the reception of the sender's traffic news determined by the sender information of the storage point using the receiving unit 25. The traffic news is reproduced through the reproduction unit 26 as long as the reproduction condition included in the storage point information of the storage point is satisfied.

  This device 20 is advantageously configured as a component of a navigation device. Further, the control unit 24 operates in cooperation with the priority management unit. All information defined for audio playback is assigned a priority. The alarm of the vehicle management system is assigned a higher priority than traffic news, for example. By this priority order management unit, it is possible to reproduce information having the highest priority order by voice from time to time.

  By determining the start condition and the reproduction condition, it becomes possible to provide traffic information on demand. For example, the vehicle driver decides which route to travel to the workplace as intended, and in order to achieve that without traffic jams as much as possible, while traveling to the workplace in the morning at the storage point, Information is reproduced. Depending on the time range conditions belonging to the start conditions, for example, if the driver is driving in the evening street to go to a theater or opera performance, traffic congestion is not expected at that time, It is possible to realize that the news is not reproduced. In this way, the start condition can be suitably selected for the occasional application.

Schematic diagram of the road map with the preservation points marked Schematic diagram of a device for providing traffic news on demand

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Map 2 Storage point 3 Flag figure 4 End point 5 Frequency data 6 Circle 7 Radius arrow 8 Vehicle direction condition 9 Height data 10 Day of the week frame 11 Section arrow 12 Peripheral area 13 Name frame 20 Device 21 by this invention 21 Input unit 22 Storage device 23 Position measurement unit 24 Control unit 25 Reception unit 26 Playback unit

Claims (13)

a. An input unit (21) for inputting sender information;
b. A receiving unit (25) for receiving the traffic news of the sender identifiable by the sender information;
c. A reproduction unit (26) for reproducing the received traffic news by voice;
In an apparatus for providing traffic news to vehicles on demand, comprising:
d. Using the input unit (21), storage point information including at least one place data can be input,
Vehicle
e. A position measuring unit (23) for measuring the position of the vehicle;
f. A control unit (24) for controlling the playback of traffic news according to the position of the vehicle relative to this location data;
A device (20) characterized by comprising:   The storage point information input using the input unit (21) includes, in particular, an input of a start condition including one or more of a radius condition, a traveling direction condition, a traveling surface condition, and a time range condition. Alternatively, the control unit (24) can be used to trigger the start and / or reception of traffic news only if multiple start conditions are met alternatively or in a superimposed manner. In particular, the radius condition is satisfied when the vehicle position is in the circle (6) whose center is determined by the location data and the radius is determined by the radius condition, and the traveling direction of the vehicle is determined by the traveling direction condition. The driving direction condition is satisfied, and when the position of the vehicle driving surface matches the driving surface condition, the driving surface condition is satisfied and the time is within the time range determined by the time range condition. If the time range Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the condition is satisfied (20).   The reproduction of traffic news is performed by the control unit (24) only as long as the input of the storage point information includes the input of the reproduction condition, and one or more of the reproduction conditions are alternatively or superimposedly satisfied. And / or reception, where the playback conditions include, in particular, one or more of a section condition, a region condition, and a time interval condition. As long as the vehicle does not return from the predetermined location in the larger section to the section of the section condition, the region condition is satisfied as long as the position of the vehicle is in the region (12) determined by the region condition, and the time 3. The device (20) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the interval condition is met from a predetermined point in time as long as a time greater than the time interval condition has not passed.   4. The device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the input of the storage point information includes an input of a name of the storage point.   Device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the storage point information is stored in a storage device (22).   6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage point information can be input with respect to a plurality of storage points, can be stored, or both. (20).   7. The device (20) according to claim 1, wherein the device is included in a navigation infotainment unit. a. Using the input unit (21) to enter sender information;
b. A measure for identifying the sender by the sender information and receiving the traffic news of the sender using the receiving unit (25);
c. Using the playback unit (26) to play back the received traffic news by voice;
In a method for providing traffic news to a vehicle on demand, comprising:
d. Using the input unit (21) to input storage location information including at least one location data;
e. Measuring the position of the vehicle using the position measuring unit (23);
f. Using a control unit (24) to control the playback of traffic news according to the position of the vehicle relative to this location data;
A method characterized by comprising:   The storage point information input using the input unit (21) includes, in particular, an input of a start condition including one or more of a radius condition, a traveling direction condition, a traveling surface condition, and a time range condition. Alternatively, the control unit (24) can be used to trigger the start and / or reception of traffic news only if multiple start conditions are met alternatively or in a superimposed manner. In particular, the radius condition is satisfied when the vehicle position is in the circle (6) whose center is determined by the location data and the radius is determined by the radius condition, and the traveling direction of the vehicle is determined by the traveling direction condition. The driving direction condition is satisfied, and when the position of the vehicle driving surface matches the driving surface condition, the driving surface condition is satisfied and the time is within the time range determined by the time range condition. If the time range The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the condition is satisfied.   The reproduction of traffic news is performed by the control unit (24) only as long as the input of the storage point information includes the input of the reproduction condition, and one or more of the reproduction conditions are alternatively or superimposedly satisfied. And / or reception, where the playback conditions include, in particular, one or more of a section condition, a region condition, and a time interval condition. As long as the vehicle does not return from the predetermined location in the larger section to the section of the section condition, the region condition is satisfied as long as the position of the vehicle is in the region (12) determined by the region condition, and the time 10. A method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the interval condition is satisfied from a predetermined time point as long as a time greater than the time interval condition has not passed.   The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the input of the storage point information includes input of a name of the storage point.   12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the storage point information is stored in a storage device (22).   13. The method according to claim 8, wherein the storage point information can be input with respect to a plurality of storage points, can be stored, or both. .

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