JP2008015670A - Apparatus of outputting time to be required for passing through intersection, and program of outputting time to be required for passing through intersection - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide such a technology for calculating and outputting time to be required for a vehicle existing before an intersection until passing through the intersection. <P>SOLUTION: A center communicating with a vehicle navigation device to be mounted on a requiring vehicle 20 determines the number of vehicles existing between the intersection 35 and the requesting vehicle 20 which is approaching toward the intersection 35 on an entrance road 31 connecting to the intersection 35, and to estimate extent of empty vehicle space at an exit of the intersection on a straight-ahead exiting road 33 connected to the intersection. Then the time to be required for the requiring vehicle 20 to pass through the intersection 35 is calculated based on comparison between the determined number of vehicles and the estimated extent of empty vehicle space, and information relating to the calculated required time is transmitted to the vehicle navigation device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an intersection passing time output device and an intersection passing time output program.

Conventionally, various techniques for determining the degree of congestion of an intersection and its surrounding roads have been proposed (see Patent Documents 1 to 3).
JP 2004-13199 A JP 2004-272839 A JP 2005-249655 A

  However, there is no technique for calculating and outputting the time required for the vehicle before the intersection to pass through the intersection when the road is congested.

  In view of the above points, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for calculating and outputting a time required for a vehicle before an intersection to pass through the intersection.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that the intersection transit time output device identifies the number of vehicles between the intersection and a specific vehicle heading for the intersection on the first road connected to the intersection. In addition, the size of the empty vehicle space at the exit of the intersection on the second road connected to the intersection is estimated. Then, the intersection passage required time output device generates information about the time required for the specific vehicle to pass through the intersection based on the comparison between the specified number and the estimated size of the empty vehicle space. Output information about the required time.

  In this way, when the specific vehicle on the first road before the intersection exits the second road through the intersection, the intersection passage required time output device is required to pass through the intersection. Information relating to the required time can be calculated and output.

  Moreover, the intersection passage required time output device may be configured to specify the operating state of the traffic light at the intersection. In this case, the intersection passage required time output device may be configured to generate information related to the required time based further on the specified operating state. By doing in this way, the operating state of the traffic light can be taken into account for the calculation of the required time.

  The intersection passage required time output device may be configured to identify an exit road through which the specific vehicle passes after passing through the intersection. In this case, the intersection transit time output device may estimate the size of the empty vehicle space at the exit of the intersection of the identified exit road as the second road. By doing so, it is possible to correctly calculate the required time for passing the intersection according to the exit direction of the specific vehicle.

  In addition, the intersection passing time output device calculates a time interval in which a plurality of vehicles traveling in a direction opposite to the traveling direction of the specific vehicle on the road after traveling straight through the intersection and passing through the intersection. It may be. In this case, when the specified exit road is a road after a right turn at the intersection, the intersection passage required time output device generates information on the required time based on the calculated time interval. May be. By doing in this way, when the vehicle turns right at the intersection, it is possible to take into account the presence of the vehicle that hinders the right turn in the calculation of the time required to pass through the intersection.

  Further, the intersection passage required time output device, as the number to be specified, is the exit road of the specified specific vehicle among the vehicles between the intersection and the specific vehicle heading for the intersection on the first road connected to the intersection. The number of vehicles leaving the same road may be specified. This makes it possible to calculate the required time to pass through the intersection based on the relationship between the number of vehicles traveling in the same direction and the vacant vehicle space, so the calculated required time is highly accurate. Become.

  Further, specifically, the intersection passing time output device calculates the first time as the required time when the specified number falls within the estimated size of the vacant vehicle space. When it does not fit in the estimated size of the vacant vehicle space, a second time larger than the first time may be calculated as the required time.

  The intersection passage required time output device may be adapted to specify the speed of the vehicle on the second road. At this time, the intersection passage required time output device may estimate the size of the empty vehicle space based on the specified speed. Thus, the flow of the vehicle on the second road can be reflected in the estimation of the size of the vehicle space.

  In addition, the above-described features of the present invention are characterized in that the number specifying means for specifying the number of vehicles between the intersection and the specific vehicle heading for the intersection on the first road connected to the intersection is connected to the intersection. The empty vehicle space estimating means for estimating the size of the empty vehicle space at the exit of the intersection on the road, the number specified by the number specifying means, and the empty vehicle space estimated by the empty vehicle space estimating means The required time information generating means for generating information related to the time required for the specific vehicle to pass through the intersection, and the required time generated by the required time information generating means. It can also be understood as a program for outputting the time required to pass through an intersection that allows a computer to function as a required time output means for outputting information. .

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a communication system according to the present embodiment. This communication system includes vehicle navigation devices 1a to 1c mounted on a plurality of vehicles on a road, a radio base station 2 and a radio base station 2 that can be wirelessly connected to the vehicle navigation devices 1a to 1c. The communication network 3 is connected, the center 4 is connected to the communication network 3, and the traffic signal information server 5 is connected to the communication network 3.

  FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration of each of the vehicle navigation devices 1a to 1c (hereinafter simply referred to as the vehicle navigation device 1). The vehicle navigation device 1 includes a turn signal sensor 10, a position detector 11, an image display device 12, an operation switch group 13, a communication unit 14, a speaker 15, a map data storage unit 16, and a control unit 17.

  The turn signal sensor 10 detects the operation state of the turn signal of the host vehicle, that is, whether it is a right turn instruction state, a left turn instruction state, or a non-operation state, and outputs a signal of the detection result to the control unit 17.

  Each of the position detectors 11 includes a well-known sensor (not shown) such as a geomagnetic sensor, a gyroscope, a vehicle speed sensor, and a GPS receiver. The current position and direction of the host vehicle based on the characteristics of each of these sensors. The information for specifying the traveling speed is output to the control unit 17. The GPS receiver detects the current position using a technique such as D-GPS or interfering GPS, so that the current position is sufficiently smaller than the road lane width (for example, an accuracy of 1 meter or less). Can be detected.

  The communication unit 14 is a device for wirelessly connecting to the radio base station 2, and performs predetermined radio reception processing such as amplification, frequency conversion, demodulation, A / D conversion, etc. on a signal received by an antenna (not shown), The result is output to the control unit 17. In addition, the communication unit 14 performs predetermined wireless transmission processing such as D / A conversion, modulation, frequency conversion, and amplification on the data input from the control unit 17 and outputs the resulting signal to the antenna. The map data storage unit 16 includes a non-volatile storage medium such as a DVD, CD, or HDD that stores map data. The map data includes a link indicating a road, node data indicating an intersection, and the like.

  The data for one link includes end point position coordinate data of the link, lane data, data indicating a node to be connected, and the like. The lane data includes the lane number data of the link, the position data of each lane, the traveling direction of each lane (whether forward or reverse), turn data of each lane, and the like. With this lane data, it is possible to specify which lane the coordinate belongs to from the coordinates of one point on the link. The turn data is data indicating the traveling direction defined in the lane, such as the link is a straight lane or a right turn lane.

  Data for one node includes position coordinate data of the node, data indicating a link to be connected, data on whether or not the node has a traffic signal, and identification data of a traffic signal that the node has. ing.

  The control unit 17 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like (not shown). Then, the control unit 17 causes the CPU to perform calculation of data using the RAM according to the program recorded in the ROM, and further causes the devices 10 to 16 to input / output data for the calculation. Implement various processes.

  For example, the control unit 17 calculates the current position of the host vehicle based on the signal from the position detector 11, and displays the optimum route from the current position to the destination input by the user using the operation switch group 13 as map data. The calculated optimal route is displayed on the image display device 12 together with the map, and the guidance sound is output to the speaker 15 when the own vehicle approaches the right-left turn intersection along the optimal route. Other processes of the control unit 17 will be described later.

  FIG. 3 shows the hardware configuration of the center 4. The center 4 includes a communication interface 41, a data storage unit 42, and a control unit 43. The communication interface 41 is an interface for mediating communication of devices connected to the communication network 3.

  The data storage unit 42 stores a program for operating the control unit 43 and map data equivalent to that stored in the map data storage unit 16 of the vehicle navigation device 1. The data storage unit 42 is a writable storage medium, and records vehicle information and the like to be described later.

  The control unit 43 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown). Then, the control unit 43 causes the CPU to perform calculation of data using the RAM according to the program recorded in the ROM or the data storage unit 42, and further input / output data 41 for the calculation, and the data storage unit 42. Various processes are realized by letting the other party perform. Specific processing of the data storage unit 42 will be described later.

  The traffic signal information server 5 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a data storage unit, and a communication interface (not shown). The data storage unit has traffic signal data. FIG. 4 shows a part of the traffic signal data in a table format.

  The traffic light data includes a plurality of records each corresponding to one intersection. FIG. 4 shows one record. Each record includes sub-records for each approach direction to the target intersection (the direction is not distinguished). The lower two rows in the table of FIG. 4 each correspond to one subrecord.

  Each sub-record includes information on the pattern of traffic control content that the traffic signal of the intersection instructs for the direction, and information on the traffic control content currently instructed. The traffic control contents include a red signal lighting, a blue signal lighting, a yellow signal lighting, a right turn possible signal lighting, a left turn possible signal lighting, a straight traveling possible signal lighting, and the like. The traffic control content pattern refers to the content of the traffic control content over time. For example, the blue light lighting duration is 80 seconds, the red light lighting duration is 95 seconds, the yellow light lighting duration is 4 seconds, and the right turn is performed. The possible signal lighting duration is 10 seconds or the like. In addition, the current traffic control content includes information on which signal is currently lit, and information on how many seconds it will take until the next green light is lit for the direction in which the green light is not currently lit. .

  In addition, although not shown, each record is required to pass through the intersection for each of the case where the vehicle is made to go straight from the stop at the approach position of the intersection, the case where the vehicle is turned to the right, and the case where the vehicle is turned to the left. (Time, right turn required time, left turn required time). For example, the time required for going straight, the time required for right turn, and the time required for left turn are 6 seconds, 5.5 seconds, and 6.5 seconds, respectively.

  The CPU of the traffic signal information server 5 performs calculation of data using the RAM according to the program recorded in the ROM, and further causes the data storage unit and the communication interface to perform input / output of data for the calculation. Implement various processes.

  Specifically, the traffic signal information server 5 updates the traffic signal data as necessary (for example, every second). That is, according to a change in the actual traffic control content of a traffic signal having a record in the traffic signal data, information on the current traffic control content in the record is changed. This change may be made based on the pattern of traffic control contents in the record. Alternatively, this change may be made based on the received data of the current traffic control content received from a traffic light that transmits the traffic control content of the user through the communication network 3. The traffic control content pattern itself may also be changed based on the received traffic control content pattern data for a period including the present time from a traffic light that transmits the traffic control content.

  The traffic signal information server 5 reads a record corresponding to the traffic signal designated by the data from the data storage unit when the communication interface receives a data request from the center 4 via the communication network 3. Then, the read record is transmitted to the center 4 via the communication network 3 by controlling the communication interface.

  Hereinafter, the operation related to the notification of the required time for passing the intersection in the vehicle navigation device 1, the center 4, and the traffic signal information server 5 (hereinafter referred to as the required time notification operation) will be described in detail. FIG. 5 shows a typical traffic environment in which such an operation is performed. In FIG. 5, roads 31, 32, 33, and 34 are connected to an intersection 35, and the route from the approach road 31 through the intersection 35 to the straight exit road 33 is congested. Each vehicle in FIG. 5 is equipped with a vehicle navigation device having a function equivalent to that of the vehicle navigation device 1 described above.

  FIG. 6 shows transmission / reception timings of signals exchanged between the vehicle navigation apparatus 1, the communication network 3, and the center 4 for the required time notification operation in such a scene.

  In this required time notification operation, the control unit 43 of the center 4 repeats the program 100 shown in FIG. 7 (for example, at intervals of 5 seconds) in order to constantly and repeatedly acquire the position information and the traveling direction information of all the vehicles around the intersection 35. Execute. In the execution, first, in step 110, a vehicle information request signal (corresponding to the signal 310 in FIG. 6) is transmitted to all the vehicle navigation devices via the communication network 3 and the radio base station 2. . This transmission may be realized, for example, by transmitting a broadcast message when communication between the vehicle navigation apparatus and the center 4 is based on the TCP / IP protocol.

  Subsequently, in step 120, a vehicle information signal (corresponding to the signal 320) is received from the vehicle navigation device as a response to the transmitted vehicle information request signal. Subsequently, in step 130, the received vehicle information is additionally recorded in the data storage unit 42. In addition, you may delete from the data storage part 42 about past vehicle information more than a predetermined limit (for example, 1 hour ago). After step 130, one execution of the program 100 is terminated.

  When the control unit 17 of the vehicle navigation device for each vehicle receives the vehicle information request signal via the communication unit 14, the control unit 17 specifies the vehicle position based on the signal from the position detector 11, and subsequently The road and lane on which the host vehicle is traveling are specified based on the map data and the specified own vehicle position, and the operating state of the winker is specified based on the signal from the winker sensor 10.

  And the control part 17 specifies the advancing direction ahead of the intersection of the own vehicle based on the combination of the information of the specified lane and the turn data in map data, and the operating state of the turn signal. For example, when the lane of the host vehicle is dedicated to a left turn and the turn signal is not activated, the traveling direction is set to the left turn direction. In addition, when the lane of the host vehicle is dedicated to turning left or going straight, and the turn signal is not operated, the traveling direction is set to the straight traveling direction.

  And the control part 17 adds the vehicle identification information which specifies the own vehicle, and the information of the present time to the information on the present position of the own vehicle specified in this way and the information on the traveling direction as a signal of vehicle information. The data is transmitted to the center 4 via the radio base station 2 and the communication network 3.

  As described above, in the situation of FIG. 5 in which the center 4 repeatedly receives vehicle information from a plurality of vehicle navigation devices, a user of a vehicle (corresponding to an example of a specific vehicle; hereinafter referred to as a request vehicle) 20 In order to know how long it will take for the vehicle to pass through the intersection 35, the operation switch group 13 of the vehicle navigation device mounted on the vehicle 20 is notified of the time required for passing through the intersection. Assume that an operation for requesting (corresponding to action 325) is performed.

  At this time, when the control unit 17 detects that the operation has been performed on the operation switch group 13, the control unit 17 controls the communication unit 14 to generate a signal for inquiry about the required transit time (corresponding to the signal 330). The data is transmitted to the center 4 via the radio base station 2 and the communication network 3. This transit time inquiry signal may include the current position and the traveling direction of the host vehicle specified as described above at the time of the inquiry.

  In order to process such a transit time inquiry signal, the control unit 43 of the center 4 repeatedly executes the program 200 shown in FIG. When executing the program 200, the control unit 43 first repeats the determination in step 210 as to whether or not there is an inquiry for a predetermined period of time until the inquiry (corresponding to the signal 330) is received. Subsequently, at step 215, vehicle information (that is, current position information and traveling direction information) of the requested vehicle is acquired. The vehicle information to be acquired may be included in the received signal about the required transit time, or the vehicle of the requested vehicle 20 recorded most recently in the data storage unit 42 at that time. It may be information.

  Subsequently, at step 220, traffic signal data is acquired. Specifically, this process transmits a data request for the traffic signal data at the intersection 35 to the traffic signal information server 5 (transmits to the signal 340 in FIG. 6), and the intersection 35 returned from the traffic signal information server 5 accordingly. This is realized by receiving a record signal (corresponding to the signal 350).

  Subsequently, in step 225, the speed Vf of each of the plurality of leaving vehicles traveling in the direction of leaving the intersection 35 on the exit road of the request vehicle 20 is calculated. Here, whether or not a certain vehicle is a leaving vehicle is determined based on the latest position information in the vehicle information of each vehicle recorded in the data storage unit 42 and the lane data in the map data. The speed Vf of the leaving vehicle is such that the difference between the latest position information in the vehicle information of each vehicle recorded in the storage unit 42 and the position information in the past (0.5 seconds ago, 5 seconds ago, etc.) is used. It only has to be.

  Subsequently, in step 230, the size of the space between the intersection 35 and the empty vehicle space ahead of the intersection 35 on the exit road, that is, the last vehicle of the leaving vehicle on the exit road is predicted. Here, the prediction refers to a prediction at a timing when the facing traffic signal that instructs whether or not the requested vehicle 20 can travel is next travelable (that is, lighted blue). In addition, when the traffic signal of the request | requirement vehicle 20 has already shown that driving | running | working is possible, the empty vehicle space in the present is estimated.

Here, the prediction of the vacant vehicle space is performed based on the current position of the tail of the leaving vehicle and the vehicle speed of each leaving vehicle calculated in step 225. In particular,
(Distance difference between the position of the last vehicle of the leaving vehicle and the position of the intersection 35) + (Vehicle speed of the last vehicle of the leaving vehicle) × (Time to prediction timing)
The predicted value of the empty vehicle space is calculated by the following formula. In addition, to take into account the flow of the entire leaving vehicle,
(Distance difference between the position of the rearmost vehicle of the leaving vehicle and the position of the intersection 35) + (Average vehicle speed of all leaving vehicles) × (Time to prediction timing)
The predicted value of the empty vehicle space may be calculated by the mathematical formula

  Subsequently, at step 235, it is determined whether or not the requested vehicle 20 makes a right turn based on the traveling direction of the requested vehicle 20 acquired at step 215. Next, execute step 250.

  In step 240, the speed Vr of the plurality of approaching vehicles 24 to 28 traveling in the direction opposite to the requested vehicle 20 on the straight exit road 33, that is, the direction approaching the intersection 35, is the same as the speed Vf of the leaving vehicle in step 225. Calculate by the method.

  Subsequently, in step 245, the approach time interval Q of the vehicle that hinders the right turn is estimated based on the calculated speed Vr. Specifically, based on the distance between the leading vehicle 24 of the current approaching vehicle and the second vehicle 26 from the beginning, and the speed of these two vehicles 24, 26, the approaching vehicle 24 leaves the intersection. The time interval until the approaching vehicle 26 enters the intersection is calculated as the approach time interval Q.

  Subsequently, at step 248, it is determined whether or not the calculated approach time interval Q is larger than the required turn right time at the intersection 35 in the traffic signal data. 245 is executed.

  In step 250, among the vehicles on the approach road 31, the vehicle 21 that is between the requested vehicle 20 and the intersection 35, is on the same lane as the requested vehicle 20, and exits on the same road as the requested vehicle 20. Specify the number of ~ 23. This specification is performed based on position information and traveling direction information in the latest vehicle information in the data storage unit 42.

Subsequently, in step 255, the required time for passage is estimated. There are two estimation methods: a method in which the empty vehicle space calculated in step 230 can accommodate the number of front vehicles 21 to 23 specified in step 250, and a method in the case where it cannot be accommodated. In addition, how many vehicles can be accommodated in a certain space,
(Length of empty vehicle space) / (average length of vehicle (for example, 2 meters))
It is specified by the mathematical formula. The average overall length of the vehicle may be recorded in the ROM of the control unit 43 in advance.

When the front vehicles 21 to 23 can be accommodated,
(Signal waiting time) + (Required time)
It is calculated by the following formula. Here, the signal waiting time is the time until the next meeting signal turns blue (however, if the current meeting signal is blue, it is blue). Further, the required time is the time required for the vehicle 20 to turn right, the time required for straight travel, and the time required for left turn when the exit direction is a right turn, straight ahead, or left turn direction, respectively. The signal waiting time and the necessary time are specified based on the contents of the record received from the traffic signal information server 5 in step 220.

When the front vehicles 21 to 23 can be accommodated,
(Signal waiting time) + (One cycle of traffic light 35) + (Required time)
It is calculated by the following formula. Here, one cycle of the traffic light 35 refers to the time from when the traffic light turns blue to the next blue. This one cycle is specified based on the content of the record received from the traffic signal information server 5 in step 220. For example, in the example of FIG. 4, 80 seconds + 95 seconds + 4 seconds = 179 seconds.

  Subsequently, in step 260, the time required for passage calculated in step 255 is transmitted to the vehicle navigation device of the requesting vehicle 20 through the communication network 3 and the radio base station 2 using the communication interface 41.

  By causing the control unit 43 to execute the program 200 as described above, the center 4 receives the inquiry about the required travel time from the requesting vehicle 20 (see step 210), and determines the position and traveling direction of the requesting vehicle. Then, the operation information of the traffic lights at the intersection where the requested vehicle 20 enters is acquired (see step 220). Further, the center 4 calculates the speed Vf of the vehicle group that travels in the direction of leaving the intersection on the exit road corresponding to the specified traveling direction (see step 225), the calculation result, the position of the vehicle group, and the traffic light Based on the operation information, the vacant vehicle space at the intersection point on the exit road when the traffic light turns blue is predicted (see step 230).

  Further, the center 4 identifies the number of other vehicles 21 to 23 on the same road as the requested vehicle 20 from the requested vehicle 20 to the intersection based on the acquired and stored vehicle information (see step 250). Based on the comparison with the number of vehicles and the predicted free space, the time required for the requested vehicle 20 to pass through the intersection 35 is calculated (see step 255), and a signal of the calculation result (corresponding to the signal 360 in FIG. 6). ) Is transmitted to the vehicle navigation device of the requesting vehicle 20 (see step 260).

  In this way, when the specific vehicle on the first road before the intersection exits the second road through the intersection, the intersection passage required time output device is required to pass through the intersection. Information relating to the required time can be calculated and output.

  Further, since the required time is calculated based on the operating state of the traffic light at the intersection 35, the operating state of the traffic light can be added to the calculation of the required time, and the calculation of the required time becomes more accurate.

  Further, the center 4 identifies the exit road of the requested vehicle 20 and estimates the size of the empty vehicle space at the exit of the intersection 35 of the identified exit road. By doing so, it is possible to correctly calculate the required time for passing the intersection according to the exit direction of the requested vehicle 20. That is, the possibility of calculating the required time for passing the intersection based on the empty vehicle space on the wrong exit road is reduced.

  Further, the number of other vehicles specified in step 250 is to exit on the same road as the exit road of the requested vehicle 20. In this way, the time required to pass through the intersection 35 can be calculated based on the relationship between the number of vehicles traveling in the same direction and the empty vehicle space. Becomes higher.

  Moreover, since the size of the empty vehicle space is estimated based on the speed of the vehicle on the exit road, the flow of the vehicle on the exit road can be reflected in the estimation of the size of the vehicle space. it can.

  When the exit road of the requested vehicle 20 is a right turn exit road 32 (see step 235), the center 4 calculates the speeds of a plurality of vehicles entering the intersection 35 from the straight exit road 33 (see step 240). Based on the determined speed, the time interval for entering the intersection 35 of other vehicles that hinder the right turn is estimated (see step 245), and only when the estimated result is larger than the required time for the right turn at the intersection (see step 248). The time required for passing is calculated (see step 250).

  In this way, the center 4 further determines, based on the time interval at which they pass through the intersection, about a plurality of vehicles traveling in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the requesting vehicle 20 on the straight-ahead exit road 33 after traveling straight through the intersection 35. Since information on the required time is generated, when the requested vehicle 20 makes a right turn at the intersection 35, the presence of a vehicle that hinders the right turn is included in the calculation of the required time to pass through the intersection 35. can do.

  In addition, when the control unit 17 of the vehicle navigation apparatus receives the signal of the calculation result of the above-described required time for passing, the calculation result received by using one or both of the image display device 12 and the speaker 15, that is, Notify the user of the time required to pass.

  Specifically, the control unit 17 first causes the image display device 12 to display an intersection expected passage time function setting screen. This intersection expected passage time function setting screen has a voice notification button, an enlarged intersection display button, and an auto zoom display button that can be selected by the user using the operation switch group 13.

  Then, when detecting that the voice notification button is selected, the control unit 17 uses only the speaker 15 to determine the required travel time by voice (for example, “The predicted intersection passing time is approximately... Minutes”). Notice.

  Further, when the control unit 17 detects that both the voice notification button and the enlarged intersection display button are selected, the control unit 17 notifies the required travel time using both the image display device 12 and the speaker 15. Here, the notification using the image display device 12 visually notifies the required travel time together with the image of the vehicle near the target intersection 35.

  Further, when the control unit 17 detects that the intersection enlarged view display button is selected, the control unit 17 visually notifies the time required for passing as described above using only the image display device 12.

  Further, when the control unit 17 detects that the auto zoom display intersection enlarged map display button is selected, the control unit 17 uses only the image display device 12 to perform auto zoom display so as to include the target intersection 35 and visually pass through. Display to notify the required time.

  Further, when the control unit 17 detects that both the voice notification button and the auto zoom display intersection enlarged view display button are selected, the control unit 17 notifies the time required for passing using both the image display device 12 and the speaker 15. Here, the notification using the image display device 12 uses the auto zoom display as described above.

In the above-described embodiment, the center 4 corresponds to an example of an intersection passing time output device, and the programs 100 and 200 correspond to an example of an intersection passing time output program. Further, the control unit 43 of the center 4 functions as an example of the number specifying means by executing Step 250 of the program 200, and functions as an example of the empty vehicle space estimating means by executing Step 230. It functions as an example of a required time information generating means by executing, functions as an example of a required time output means by executing step 260, functions as an example of a traffic light operating state specifying means by executing step 220, Executing step 215 functions as an example of an exit road specifying unit, executing step 245 functions as an example of a time interval calculating unit, and executing step 225 functions as an example of a vehicle speed specifying unit.
(Other embodiments)
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, the scope of the present invention is not limited only to the said embodiment, The various form which can implement | achieve the function of each invention specific matter of this invention is included. It is.

  For example, the control unit 17 transmits the identified lane information and the blinker operating state information, not the vehicle traveling direction information itself, to the center 4 by including the vehicle information and the required transit time inquiry information. It may be like this. The control unit 43 of the center 4 may estimate the traveling direction of the requesting vehicle 20 and other vehicles after exiting the intersection based on these information and the lane data in the data storage unit 42. . In this case, by performing this estimation, the control unit 43 functions as an example of an exit road specifying unit.

  Further, the vehicle navigation apparatus 1 does not necessarily have to determine the traveling lane of the host vehicle. In this case, the traveling direction of the host vehicle may be estimated based on the signal from the turn signal sensor 10.

  In addition, the center 4 need only calculate information related to the required time, not the required time for passing. For example, based on the specified number of vehicles and the predicted free space, it is determined whether the requested vehicle 20 can pass the intersection 35 when the signal next changes to blue, and the determination result of whether or not the request vehicle 20 can pass is determined. It transmits to the navigation apparatus 1 for vehicles, and the navigation apparatus 1 for vehicles may notify it to a user.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when there is one operation for requesting the notification of the required travel time to the operation switch group 13 of the vehicle navigation device 1, the center 4 sets the required travel time only once. The navigation device is notified. However, if there is one operation for requesting the operation switch group 13 to notify the required time for passing, the center 4 repeats the calculation (for example, every minute) and transmits it. It may be. In order to realize this repeated notification operation, for example, the vehicle navigation apparatus 1 transmits a signal for an inquiry about the required passage time to the center 4 only once each time the operation switch group 13 is operated. However, it is only necessary to calculate and transmit the required passage time repeatedly (for example, every minute) based on receiving the signal about the required passage time from the requesting vehicle 20 only once.

  Further, the center 4 determines the time required for passing once for the navigation for vehicles based on the fact that the operation switch group 13 of the vehicle navigation apparatus 1 is requested to notify the time required for passing only once. Based on the fact that the operation is notified to the operation switch group 13 for a plurality of times of notification of the required travel time, the required travel time is repeatedly notified to the vehicle navigation device. May be. In such an operation, the vehicle navigation device 1 notifies the center 4 of information on which operation has been performed on the operation switch group 13, and the center 4 transmits the passing time in a manner corresponding to the notification. This is possible.

  In addition, the controller 43 increases the required travel time as the number of forward vehicles 21 to 23 that are between the requested vehicle 20 and the intersection and exits on the exit road of the requested vehicle 20 in the calculation of the required travel time. May be. For example, the time required for passing may be increased by 1/5 of the time required for passing each time there is one more forward vehicle that is between the requested vehicle 20 and the intersection and exits on the exit road of the requested vehicle 20. .

  Further, the estimated empty vehicle space may always be the current empty vehicle space regardless of the current traffic signal information.

  Further, the center 4 does not necessarily need to know the exit direction of the requested vehicle 20 and the preceding vehicles 21 to 23. For example, the requested vehicle 20 always goes straight and other vehicles on the same road as the requested vehicle 20 must The required travel time may be calculated on the assumption that the vehicle travels straight.

  Moreover, the intersection passage required time output device according to the present invention does not have to be the center 4 on the network, and the vehicle between the intersection and the specific vehicle heading for the intersection on the first road connected to the intersection. The number of vehicles is specified, and the size of the vacant vehicle space at the exit of the intersection on the second road connected to the intersection is estimated, and the identified number of vehicles and the estimated size of the vacant vehicle space are Based on the comparison, it is sufficient to generate information related to the time required for the specific vehicle to pass through the intersection and to output information related to the generated required time.

  For example, the vehicle navigation device 1 of the requesting vehicle 20 may function as an intersection passage required time output device by executing the programs 100 and 200. In that case, the vehicle information of other vehicles may be acquired by inter-vehicle communication.

1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the navigation apparatus 1 for vehicles. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a center 4. FIG. It is a chart which shows a part of traffic signal data. It is a figure which shows the typical traffic environment where the action | operation of this embodiment is performed. It is a figure which shows the transmission / reception timing of the signal exchanged between the navigation apparatus for vehicles 1, the communication network 3, and the center 4 for the action | operation of this embodiment. It is a flowchart of the program 100 which the control part 17 performs. It is a flowchart of the program 200 which the control part 17 performs.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle navigation apparatus, 2 ... Wireless base station, 3 ... Communication network,
4 ... Center, 5 ... Traffic light information server, 10 ... Winker sensor, 11 ... Position detector,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Image display apparatus, 13 ... Operation switch group, 14 ... Communication part, 15 ... Speaker,
16 ... Map data storage unit, 17 ... Control unit, 20 ... Request vehicle, 21-23 ... Vehicle ahead,
24-28 ... approaching vehicle, 31 ... approach road, 32 ... right turn exit road, 33 ... straight exit road,
34 ... Left turn exit road, 35 ... Intersection, 41 ... Communication interface,
42 ... Data storage unit, 43 ... Control unit, 100, 200 ... Program,
310-360 ... Signal, 325 ... Action.

Claims (8)

A number specifying means for specifying the number of vehicles between the intersection and a vehicle (hereinafter referred to as a specific vehicle) heading for the intersection on the first road connected to the intersection;
An empty vehicle space estimation means for estimating the size of an empty vehicle space at the exit of the intersection on the second road connected to the intersection;
The time required for the specific vehicle to pass through the intersection based on a comparison between the number specified by the number specifying means and the size of the empty vehicle space estimated by the empty vehicle space estimating means. Time information generating means for generating information;
And a required time output means for outputting information related to the required time generated by the required time information generating means. A traffic light operating state specifying means for specifying an operating state of the traffic light at the intersection;
The said required time information generation means produces | generates the information regarding the said required time further based on the said operation state which the traffic signal state specific | specification means specified, The intersection required time output device of Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. An exit road specifying means for specifying an exit road through which the specific vehicle passes after passing the intersection;
The vacant vehicle space estimation means estimates the size of the vacant vehicle space at the exit of the intersection of the exit road identified by the exit road identification means as the second road. Item 3. An intersection transit time output device according to Item 1 or 2. A plurality of vehicles traveling in a direction opposite to the traveling direction of the specific vehicle on a road that has passed straight through the intersection, time interval calculating means for calculating a time interval passing through the intersection;
The required time output means, when the exit road specified by the exit road specifying means is a road after a right turn at the intersection, the required time output means further based on the time interval calculated by the time interval calculation means 4. The intersection passing time output device according to claim 3, wherein the time information is generated. The number-of-units specifying means includes, as the number of units, the exit road specified by the exit road specifying unit among vehicles between the intersection and a specific vehicle heading for the intersection on the first road connected to the intersection. 5. The intersection passing time output device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the number of vehicles leaving the vehicle is specified. The required time information generating means calculates a first time as the required time when the number specified by the number specifying means falls within the size of the empty vehicle space estimated by the empty vehicle space estimating means. In addition, when the number specified by the number specifying means does not fit in the size of the empty vehicle space estimated by the empty vehicle space estimating means, the required time is larger than the first time. The time required for passing through an intersection according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the time of 2 is calculated. Vehicle speed specifying means for specifying the speed of the vehicle on the second road,
The intersection according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the empty space estimating means estimates the size of the empty vehicle space based on the speed specified by the vehicle speed specifying means. Passing time output device. A number specifying means for specifying the number of vehicles between the intersection and a specific vehicle heading for the intersection on the first road connected to the intersection;
An empty vehicle space estimation means for estimating the size of an empty vehicle space at the exit of the intersection on the second road connected to the intersection;
Information related to the requirement for the specific vehicle to pass through the intersection based on a comparison between the number specified by the number specifying means and the size of the empty vehicle space estimated by the empty vehicle space estimating means. Time information generating means for generating
A crossing passage required time output program for causing a computer to function as required time output means for outputting information related to the required time generated by the required time information generating means.

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