JP5473804B2 - Information distribution device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information distribution device that distributes to a vehicle specific position information related to the state of an event at a specific position stored in an external server.

  Conventionally, there has been proposed an information distribution device that acquires various types of information from an external server and distributes necessary information to a vehicle based on the acquired information (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In such an information distribution apparatus, a plurality of specifics relating to the situation of events (for example, weather, accidents, obstacles) at a plurality of specific positions (for example, Sannomiya, Motomachi, Hyogo) within a predetermined area (for example, Kobe City). Area information composed of position information is acquired for each type of event, each specific position information is extracted from the area information, and the specific position information is transmitted to the corresponding vehicle.

JP 2007-102424 A JP 11-154299 A

  In the conventional information distribution apparatus, various information collected from an external server or a vehicle or necessary information extracted from the collected various information can be distributed to each vehicle, but the timing of information distribution is not particularly taken into consideration. For example, when a user (for example, a vehicle driver) acquires some information related to the occurrence of an event from the information distribution apparatus, the user wants to obtain more information after the occurrence of the event than before the occurrence of the event. When considering the occurrence of an accident, which is one of the events, the situation of the road is greatly different before and after the occurrence of the accident, so that the user knows the impact of the occurrence of the accident when the user selects the road or knows the arrival time. Very important. However, the conventional distribution apparatus does not consider the point that the user requests to obtain a lot of information due to the occurrence of an accident. That is, there is an inconvenience that a change in the situation cannot be notified in real time when the situation changes every moment, such as after an accident.

  In addition, in the conventional information distribution apparatus, in order to extract one specific position information, a plurality of pieces of area information whose amount of information is significantly larger than one specific position information is requested from a plurality of external servers. For example, when the information distribution device acquires the specific location information of Sannomiya, the weather information related to Kobe city weather is acquired from the weather information center, the traffic information related to Kobe city traffic is acquired from the traffic information center, the weather information and Specific location information of Sannomiya is extracted from traffic information. Therefore, there is a disadvantage that the load on the information distribution apparatus increases by acquiring a plurality of pieces of area information with a large amount of information. Such an inconvenience becomes conspicuous when the information request frequency of the user increases because the situation changes every moment, such as after an accident.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information distribution apparatus that can increase the frequency of requesting specific location information to an external server as the necessity of acquiring specific location information regarding the state of an event at a specific location increases.

  An information distribution apparatus according to the present invention is an information distribution apparatus that distributes to a vehicle specific position information related to a situation of an event at a specific position stored in an external server, and transmits the event information about the occurrence position of the event between the vehicle and the external server. Event information acquisition means acquired from at least one of the above, specific position information acquisition means for acquiring the specific position information stored in the external server based on the event occurrence position acquired by the event information acquisition means, The specific position information acquisition means includes a request frequency of the specific position information for the external server after the event information acquisition by the event information acquisition means, and the event information by the event information acquisition means. It is characterized by being higher than before acquisition.

  According to the present invention, since the frequency of requesting the specific location information to the external server after acquiring the event information is higher than that before acquiring the event information, there is a need to acquire the specific location information regarding the situation of the event at the specific location. As the value increases, the frequency of requesting the specific location information to the external server can be increased.

It is a figure which shows the whole system containing the information delivery apparatus by this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of event information. It is a figure which shows an example of specific position information. It is a block diagram of the drive recorder of FIG. It is a block diagram of the navigation apparatus of FIG. It is a block diagram of the control part of the center of FIG. 1, and an external server. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of alerting information. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of alert release information. It is a flowchart of an example of system operation | movement. It is a figure which shows an example of the table showing the relationship between a detection event and a request frequency. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the reference | standard of delivery of alert information. It is a figure which shows an example of a display of avoidance information. It is a flowchart of the other example of system operation | movement.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but covers the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof. Moreover, it is also possible to implement with the form which added the various change in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an entire system including an information distribution apparatus according to the present invention.
Vehicles 100-1, 100-2,. . . , 100-n can be connected to the Internet 300 via the Internet connection provider 200 and can access the center 400 as an information distribution apparatus on the Web, as will be described in detail later. The center 400 includes a plurality of vehicles 100-1, 100-2,. . . , 100-n at the same time, various information obtained from the external servers 600, 700, 800 via the Internet 500 is recorded in the internal database, and the vehicles 100-1, 100-2,. . . , 100-n can distribute various information.

  Vehicles 100-1, 100-2,. . . , 100-n include first cameras 1-1, 1-2,. . . , 1-n, second cameras 2-1, 2-2,. . . , 2-n, GPS (Global Positioning System) receivers 3-1, 3-2,. . , 3-n, etc. connected to drive recorders 4-1, 4-2,. . . , 4-n are mounted. Drive recorders 4-1, 4-2,. . . , 4-n, while the ACC switch is ON, the first cameras 1-1, 1-2,. . . , 1-n and second cameras 2-1, 2-2,. . . , 2-n, image data picked up by the second RAM 5-1, 5-2,. . . , 5-n, the second RAM 5-1, 5-2,. . . , 5-n, the interface (I / F) 6-1, 6-2,. . , 6-n, memory cards 7-1, 7-2,. . . , 7-n. The drive recorders 4-1, 4-2,. . . , 4-n are signal processing devices 8-1, 8-2,. . . , 8-n connected to the communication units 9-1, 9-2,. . . , 9-n, communication with the Internet connection provider 200 becomes possible. Therefore, the vehicles 100-1, 100-2,. . . , 100-n signal processing devices 8-1, 8-2,. . . , 8-n and / or drive recorders 4-1, 4-2,. . . , 4-n and the center 400 are configured to be able to transmit and receive information data including image data and the like. The signal processing devices 8-1, 8-2,. . . , 8-n and the communication units 9-1, 9-2,. . . , 9-n are configured to include a CPU, ROM, RMA, etc., and perform signal processing such as data conversion and data compression, drive recorders 4-1, 4-2,. . . , 4-n and the center 400 perform processing such as transmission / reception of information data including image data. The communication units 9-1, 9-2,. . . 9-n can also be configured by a portable terminal such as a cellular phone.

  Vehicles 100-1, 100-2,. . . , 100-n drive recorders 4-1, 4-2,. . . , 4-n are respectively GPS receivers 3-1, 3-2,. . , 3-n is transmitted to the center 400 as a part of the information data at a predetermined time interval, so that the center 400 side sequentially transmits each vehicle 100-1, 100-2,. . . , 100-n can be grasped. Further, the vehicles 100-1, 100-2,. . . , 100-n drive recorders 4-1, 4-2,. . . , 4-n are event information relating to the type of event (for example, the occurrence of an accident or disaster, weather and obstacles) and the position where the event occurred, into current position information, time information, and heavy acceleration information described in detail later. The generated event information is transmitted to the center 400.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of event information. The event information is created every time an event occurs. In the example shown in FIG. 2A, the event information indicating that snow has occurred in Sannomiya at 18:12:37 on February 21, 2010 is shown in FIG. 2B. In the example shown, event information notifying that a traffic accident has occurred in Sannomiya at 18:34:15 on February 21, 2010 is shown. In the example shown in FIG. 2C, 16:53:11 on February 21, 2010 Shows event information notifying that an obstacle has occurred in Motomachi per second.

  Further, when the center 400 side specifies a vehicle and requests image transmission, the image data recorded in the drive recorder 2 of the corresponding vehicle can be transmitted to the center 400. In addition, when the vehicle encounters an accident or the like, it is possible to automatically transmit the image data recorded in the drive recorder 2 of the corresponding vehicle to the center 400.

  Vehicles 100-1, 100-2,. . . , 100-n include GPS receivers 3-1, 3-2,. . , 3-n, etc., connected to the navigation devices 10-1, 10-2,. . . , 10-n are also mounted. Navigation devices 10-1, 10-2,. . . , 10-n read the map data from the map data database, and the vehicles 100-1, 100-2,. . . , 100-n travel route is searched. Navigation devices 10-1, 10-2,. . . , 10-n are also signal processing devices 8-1, 8-2,. . . , 8-n connected to the communication units 9-1, 9-2,. . . , 9-n, communication with the Internet connection provider 200 becomes possible. Therefore, the vehicles 100-1, 100-2,. . . , 100-n signal processing devices 8-1, 8-2,. . . , 8-n and / or navigation devices 10-1, 10-2,. . . , 10-n and the center 400 are configured so as to be able to transmit and receive information data including travel route information related to the travel route. The signal processing devices 8-1, 8-2,. . . , 8-n and the communication units 9-1, 9-2,. . . , 9-n are navigation devices 10-1, 10-2,. . . , 10-n and transmission / reception of information data including travel route information between the center 400 and the like are also performed.

  The drive recorders 4-1, 4-2,. . . , 4-n, signal processing devices 8-1, 8-2,. . . , 8-n, communication units 9-1, 9-2,. . . , 9-n and navigation devices 10-1, 10-2,. . . , 10-n are vehicles 100-1, 100-2,. . . , 100-n side data transmission system. In the present embodiment, the drive recorders 4-1, 4-2,. . . , 4-n, signal processing devices 8-1, 8-2,. . . , 8-n, communication units 9-1, 9-2,. . . , 9-n and navigation devices 10-1, 10-2,. . . , 10-n are described as separate bodies, but they may be integrally formed. Further, the vehicles 100-1, 100-2,. . . , 100-n are 100-1, 100-2,. . . , 100-n can be omitted.

  The Internet connection provider 200 has a mobile communication network 202 connected to a plurality of base stations 201, and provides a connection service to the Internet 300 via a gateway 203 connected to the mobile communication network 202.

  The center 400 includes a control unit 401, a communication unit 402 such as a router for connecting to the Internet 300 and 500, a user profile information recording unit 403 for recording user profile information, content including image data, travel route information, and the like. It has a content information recording unit 404 for recording information, a content selection history information recording unit 405 for recording selection history information, and the like, and each is configured to be able to mutually transmit and receive data via the LAN 406.

  The control unit 401 is constituted by a personal computer or the like, and as will be described in detail later, an operation unit including a CPU, RAM, ROM, keyboard and mouse, a display unit including a liquid crystal display, a data recording unit such as a hard disk, etc. It is comprised including. The control unit 401 includes vehicles 100-1, 100-2,. . . , 100-n or external servers 600-1, 600-2,. . . , 600-n based on the information received from the vehicles 100-1, 100-2,. . . , 100-n. Further, the center 400 accesses the websites of the external servers 600, 700, and 800 via the Internet 500 at a predetermined timing, and acquires various types of information such as specific position information regarding the specific position and the situation of the event at the specific position. And stored in the content information recording unit 404. Further, the center 400 creates a user profile corresponding to a user who accesses the center 400 (for example, the vehicles 100-1, 100-2,..., 100-n) and records the user profile in the user profile information recording unit 403. At the same time, various information acquired each time communication with the user is additionally recorded in the user profile information recording unit 403. Furthermore, the center 400 records content selection history information related to the history of information in the content information recording unit 404 selected by the user who accesses the center 400 in the content selection history information recording unit 405.

  In the present embodiment, the external server 600 functions as a traffic information center. Like the center 400, the external server 600 controls the control unit 601, the communication unit 602, the user profile information recording unit 603, the content information recording unit 604, and the content selection history information recording. The content information recording unit 604 includes a plurality of event information corresponding respectively to a plurality of events such as a traffic accident, and the like. Is recorded as content information.

  In the present embodiment, the external server 700 functions as a weather information center and, like the center 400, a control unit 701, a communication unit 702, a user profile information recording unit 703, a content information recording unit 704, and a content selection history information recording. The content information recording unit 704 stores a plurality of event information corresponding to a plurality of events such as snow, respectively. Including weather information as content information.

  In the present embodiment, the external server 800 functions as a regional information center that provides specific location information, and, like the center 400, a control unit 801, a communication unit 802, a user profile information recording unit 803, and a content information recording unit 804. The content selection history information recording unit 805 and the like are configured to be able to transmit and receive data to and from each other via the LAN 806. The content information recording unit 804 records specific location information as content information and specifies A database for storing location information has been constructed.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the specific position information. The specific location information is created for each specific location regardless of whether or not there is an event. In the example shown in FIG. 3A, it indicates that there is a snow and traffic accident event in Sannomiya. In the example shown in FIG. It shows that there is a physical event, and the example shown in FIG. 3C shows that there is no event in Hyogo.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the drive recorder of FIG. In FIG. 4, the drive recorder 4-1 will be described. Since the drive recorders 4-2 and 4-3 have the same configuration and the same operation as the drive recorder 4-1, the drive recorders 4-2 and 4-2. The description of 3 is omitted here.

  The drive recorder 4-1 can be configured separately from the first camera 1-1 or the second camera 2-1 as a video recording dedicated device, but the first camera 1-1, the second camera 1-2, The microphone 11 may be housed in the same housing and configured integrally.

  The first camera 1-1 is controlled to take an image of the front of the vehicle 100-1 and output an analog video signal as the video information 101. For example, a CCD image sensor (Charge Coupled Device Image Sensor) as a two-dimensional image sensor is used. It is composed of a CMOS image sensor (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor Image Sensor).

  The second camera 1-2 is installed in the vehicle 100-1 as a second camera, takes a different direction from the first camera 1-1 such as the rear of the vehicle or the passenger compartment, and outputs an analog video signal as the video information 602. Is controlled to output as The second camera 2-1 is also composed of a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor as a two-dimensional image sensor. Note that when only one camera is required, it is not necessary to connect the second camera 2-1.

  The acceleration sensor 12 is configured by a so-called G sensor (Gravity Accelerative Sensor) that detects the magnitude of an impact applied to the vehicle 100-1 as gravitational acceleration. It is made of a semiconductor that generates an electric current based on the gravitational acceleration when it receives an impact, detects the magnitude of the gravitational acceleration in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the vehicle, and sends the gravitational acceleration information 103 to a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 13-1. Output.

  The memory card 7-1 is a recording medium removable from the drive recorder 4-1, and is a programmable nonvolatile semiconductor memory card such as a CF card (Compact Flash Card), an SD card (Secure Digital Memory Card), or a memory stick. Etc.

  In this embodiment, a memory card is used as a removable storage medium. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and other removable memory cards, hard disks, and the like can be used. Moreover, the navigation apparatus 10-1 mounted in the same vehicle 100-1 as a reproducing | regenerating apparatus can be utilized. In that case, what is necessary is just to transmit the image data recorded on the memory card 7-1 etc. to the navigation apparatus 10-1 via a harness.

  The microphone 11 is electrically connected to the CPU 13-1 and is configured to collect sound inside or outside the vehicle 100-1 and transmit it to the CPU 13-1 as sound information 104. The audio information 104 is converted into a digital signal by an analog / digital converter in the CPU 13-1. Note that a unidirectional microphone with high sensitivity on the front side of the microphone may be used so as not to unnecessarily collect noise on the road.

  The GPS receiver 3-1 receives a radio signal including the satellite's orbit from a plurality of GPS satellites and time data from an atomic clock mounted on the satellite, and the relative distance to each satellite by the time difference of the received radio waves. The current location information is obtained by calculating the difference. By capturing the radio waves of the three satellites, the position on the plane on the earth can be determined. When the GPS receiver 3-1 detects the current location information, the GPS receiver 3-1 transmits GPS information 105 including position information and time information to the CPU 13-1.

  The vehicle speed sensor 14 outputs the rotation of the rotor provided on the wheel shaft of the vehicle 100-1 as a rotation pulse signal 106, and is configured by a magnetic sensor or an optical sensor. The CPU 13-1 calculates the speed information of the vehicle 100-1 by calculating the number of wheel rotations per unit time from the pulse signal received from the vehicle speed sensor 14.

  The I / F 6-1 constitutes a so-called slot portion of a memory card 7-1 provided in the drive recorder 4-1. The I / F 6-1 functions as a data recording unit that records the recording information 107 including the image data transmitted from the drive recorder 4-1 on the inserted memory card 7-1.

  The video switch (hereinafter “video SW”) 15 is a switch for switching a camera to be photographed when a plurality of cameras are provided. In the present embodiment, the first camera 1-1 and the second camera 2-1 are connected, and one camera is selected by a selection signal 108 from the CPU 13-1. Video information from the selected camera is output as selected video information 109. Note that the video SW 15 may be provided with a time measuring function so that switching is performed at regular time intervals.

  The image processing circuit 16 converts the selected video information 109 input from the first camera 1-1 and the second camera 2-1 via the video SW 15 into a digital signal, and creates and outputs the image data 110. The image processing circuit 16 is composed of, for example, JPEG-IC (Joint Photographic coding Experts Group-Integrated Circuit), and creates data in JPEG format.

  The first RAM 17 temporarily stores the image data 110 converted by the image processing circuit 16. The first RAM 17 is connected to a DMA (Direct Memory Access) circuit in the CPU 13-1.

  The second RAM 15 always stores the video information converted into the image data 110 by the image processing circuit 13. For example, SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) is used for the first RAM 14 and the second RAM 15. Since SDRAM is designed to operate in synchronization with the CPU clock, it has a short I / O waiting time, and can be accessed faster than conventional DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). This is because it is suitable for the control for processing the video data at a high speed.

  The nonvolatile ROM 19 stores a control program 20 and the like for comprehensively controlling the hardware resources constituting the drive recorder 4-1. A mask ROM may be used as the non-volatile ROM 19, but writing and erasing of a program can be performed by using a flash memory which is a programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory, an EEPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a ferroelectric memory, or the like. It becomes possible.

  The control program 20 is stored in the non-volatile ROM 19 and is read by the CPU 13-1 when the drive recorder 4-1 is activated, and functions as a program for controlling each part and for data calculation processing.

  The indicator lamp 21 is made up of a light emitting diode or the like, and is lit while the drive recorder 4-1 is activated when power is supplied from the CPU 13-1, and notifies the user that the drive recorder 4-1 is being activated. When an abnormality occurs in the drive recorder 4-1, the CPU 13-1 is configured to notify the user of the occurrence of the abnormality by blinking the indicator lamp 21.

  The accessory switch (ACC switch) 22 is electrically integrated with a key cylinder for engine start provided in the vehicle 100-1. When the switch is turned on by the user's key operation, an accessory on signal 111 is transmitted to the drive recorder 4-1. The drive recorder 4-1 starts the control by receiving the accessory on signal 111 of the ACC switch 22. Note that an ignition key output signal may be used instead of the output signal of the ACC switch 22.

  The power switch (power SW) 23 transmits a power-on signal to the drive recorder 4-1 when the user performs a switch operation. This can be used when it is desired to operate the drive recorder 4-1 without turning on the ACC switch 22.

  The battery 24 is provided in the vehicle 100-1 and supplies power to the main body of the drive recorder 4-1. The battery 24 supplies power to the power control circuit 25 and the backup battery 26. The battery 24 may be any battery that can be installed in the vehicle 100-1 and can generate an electromotive force of 12V.

  The power supply control circuit 25 is connected to the CPU 13-1 and receives an ON signal from the ACC switch 22, thereby supplying power from the battery 24 to each part of the CPU 13-1 and the drive recorder 4-1. Further, when it is detected that the power supply SW 23 is operated, the supply of power is started regardless of the state of the ACC switch 22. Further, the power supply control circuit 25 transmits an end signal to the CPU 13-1 by detecting the ACC switch 22 or the power supply SW22 being turned off. Receiving the end signal, the CPU 13-1 transmits an off signal to the power supply control circuit 25 as a control end process. As a result, the power supply control circuit 25 stops supplying power.

  The backup battery (B / U battery) 26 is composed of a capacitor or the like, and is connected to supply power from the battery 24 to each part of the CPU 13-1 and the drive recorder 4-1. When an impact is applied to the vehicle due to a collision accident or the like, the battery 24 may be damaged, or the battery 24, the power control circuit 25, and the connection line may be disconnected. In this case, the B / U battery 26 backs up the power of the drive recorder 4-1 by supplying the stored power to the CPU 13-14 or the like.

  The CPU 13-1 operates as a control device for the drive recorder 4-1, and is configured by a microcomputer or the like. Based on the control program 20, the CPU 13-1 executes control of each part of the drive recorder 4-1, data calculation processing, and the like.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the navigation device of FIG. In FIG. 5, the navigation device 10-1 will be described. Since the navigation devices 10-2 and 10-3 have the same configuration and the same operation as the navigation device 10-1, the navigation devices 10-2 and 10- The description of 3 is omitted here.

  The navigation device 10-1 includes a CPU 31, a RAM 32, a nonvolatile ROM 33, a map information storage unit 34, a reception information storage unit 35, a search route information storage unit 36, and the like, and a liquid crystal display disposed in the vehicle 100-1. A display unit 37 constituted by a device, a touch panel arranged on a display screen of the display unit 37, an operation unit 38 constituted by various buttons, a speaker 39 arranged in the vehicle 100-1, and a vehicle 100-1. A GPS receiver 3-1 for measuring the current position, a vehicle speed sensor 14 that outputs the rotation of a rotor provided on the wheel shaft of the vehicle 100-1 as a rotation pulse signal 106, and the like are connected.

  The navigation device 10-1 uses the map data stored in the map information storage unit 419 based on the current vehicle position information received by the GPS receiver 3-1 and the vehicle speed information based on the vehicle speed pulse from the vehicle speed sensor 14. Then, the route to the destination set by the current position of the vehicle and the operation unit 35 is searched, the searched route is displayed on the display 10, and the navigation operation is performed for the driver. .

  In addition, the navigation device 10-1 accesses the center 400, downloads the latest various information stored in the content information recording unit 404, and records it in the storage unit 33. The latest various information is downloaded, for example, every predetermined period (every hour, every day, every week) corresponding to the update date of the latest accident information at the center 400 after the vehicle 100-1 is connected to the center 400. Etc.).

  The RAM 32 is used for temporarily storing a calculation value or the like calculated by the CPU 31. For example, an SDRAM is used as the RAM 32. The nonvolatile ROM 33 stores a control program 40 and the like for comprehensively controlling the hardware resources constituting the navigation device 10-1. For the nonvolatile ROM 33, for example, an EEPROM, a ferroelectric memory, or the like is used.

  The control program 40 is stored in the non-volatile ROM 33, read by the CPU 31 when the navigation device 10-1 is activated, and functions as a program for control of each unit and data calculation processing.

  The CPU 31 operates as a control device of the navigation device 10-1, and is configured by a microcomputer or the like. Based on the control program 40, the CPU 31 executes control of each part of the navigation device 10-1, data calculation processing, and the like.

  The operation unit 37 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and is used as a means for performing operation input to the CPU 31 when the operator operates the navigation device 10-1.

  The display unit 38 is composed of a liquid crystal display device or the like, and is used for appropriately displaying map data, a search route, and the like. The speaker 39 is used for performing voice guidance corresponding to map data, a search route, and the like displayed on the display unit 38.

  The map information recording unit 34 is configured by a recording medium such as a hard disk or a DVD, and records map information including road information and speed limit information.

  The reception information storage unit 35 is configured by a recording medium such as a hard disk and is used to record various information received from the center 400. The search route storage unit 36 is configured by a recording medium such as a hard disk and is used for storing the search route.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the control unit of the center and the external server of FIG. 6, the control unit 401 of the center 400 will be described. However, the control units 601, 701, and 801 of the external servers 600, 700, and 800 have the same configuration and the same operation as the control unit 401 of the center 400, respectively. Description of the control units 601, 701, 801 of the external servers 600, 700, 800 is omitted here.

  The center 400 receives various types of information such as specific position information from the external servers 600, 700, 800, and receives the vehicles 100-1, 100-2,. . . , 100-n not only for delivering various information such as alert information and alert release information, but also for vehicles 100-1, 100-2,. . . , 100-n, drive recorders 4-1, 4-2,. . . , 4-n are used to verify the image data received from 4-n and investigate the occurrence position of the event and the type of event.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display example of alert information. The alerting information is created by the control unit 401 of the center 400, and alerts to the occurrence of an event are given to the vehicles 100-1, 100-2,. . . , 100-n, as well as the progress of the situation at the location where the event occurred, the vehicles 100-1, 100-2,. . . , 100-n. The alert information is stored in the navigation devices 10-1, 10-2,. . . , 10-n, the navigation devices 10-1, 10-2,. . . , 10-n is displayed on the display unit 37 by the CPU 31. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, alert information that informs that there is snow in Sannomiya and a traffic jam of 5 km and that an obstacle has occurred in Motomachi is displayed on the display unit 37.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display example of alert release information. The alert release information is created by the control unit 401 of the center 400 and plays a role of releasing the alert that has been alerted by the alert information. The alert release information is stored in the navigation devices 10-1, 10-2,. . . , 10-n, the navigation devices 10-1, 10-2,. . . , 10-n is displayed on the display unit 37 by the CPU 31. In the example shown in FIG. 8, alert release information notifying that the snow in Sannomiya has disappeared, the traffic jam in Sannomiya has been eliminated, and the obstacles in Motomachi have been removed is displayed. Note that the alert release information can individually notify that the snow in Sannomiya is gone, the traffic jam in Sannomiya is gone, and the obstacles in Motomachi are removed.

  The interface (I / F) 411 configures a so-called slot portion of a memory card 412 provided in the center 400. The I / F 411 transmits image information and the like recorded on the memory card 412 to the center 400 side.

  The RAM 413 is used for temporarily storing data when the CPU 414 performs image processing or the like of image data transmitted from the memory card 412. For example, an SDRAM is used as the RAM 414.

  The nonvolatile ROM 415 stores a control program 416 and the like for comprehensively controlling the hardware resources constituting the center 400. For the nonvolatile ROM 415, for example, an EEPROM, a ferroelectric memory, or the like is used.

  The control program 416 is stored in the non-volatile ROM 415 and is read by the CPU 414 when the center 400 is activated, and functions as a program for control of each unit and data calculation processing.

  The CPU 414 operates as a control device of the center 400 and is configured by a microcomputer or the like. The CPU 414 executes control of each part of the center 400, data calculation processing, and the like based on the control program 416.

  The operation unit 417 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and is used as a means for performing an operation input to the CPU 414 when the operator operates the center 400.

  The display unit 418 is composed of a liquid crystal display device or the like, and is used to display video information and the like recorded on the memory card 412 as appropriate.

  The map information recording unit 419 is configured by a recording medium such as a hard disk or a DVD, and records map information including road information and speed limit information.

  The card information recording unit 420 is configured by a recording medium such as a hard disk and is used for recording video information and the like recorded on the memory card 412. The reception information storage unit 470 is configured by a recording medium such as a hard disk, and includes drive recorders 4-1, 4-2,. . . , 4-n is used to record image data received from the external servers 600, 700, and 800.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an example of the system operation. Note that this flowchart shows the vehicles 100-1, 100-2,. . . , 100-n side is controlled by a program executed by the CPUs 13-1, 31 and the like, and on the center 440 and external server 800 side, it is controlled by a program executed by the CPU 414.

  First, the CPU 13-n of the drive recorder 4-n of the vehicle 100-n determines whether an event has been detected (step S1). If it is determined that an event has been detected, event information is transmitted to the center 400 (step S2).

  For example, when the vehicle 100-n travels on a road in Sannomiya with snow and the vehicle 100-n slips and the G value detected by the acceleration sensor is input to the CPU 13-n, the CPU 13-n is detected. The G value waveform is compared with the reference waveform stored in the nonvolatile ROM 19, and it is determined that there is snow on the basis of the comparison result. Thereafter, the event type is snow, and the event information indicating the position (for example, Sannomiya) where the snow has occurred and the time (for example, 18:12:37 on February 2, 2010) is the communication of the vehicle 100-n. The data is transmitted from the unit 9-n to the communication unit 402 of the center 400.

  Thereafter, the communication unit 402 of the center 400 receives the event information (step S3). For this purpose, the communication unit 402 of the center 400 and the CPU 414 of the control unit 401 have a function of acquiring event information from at least one of the vehicle and the external server. Thereafter, the CPU 414 of the control unit 401 of the center 400 changes the request frequency of the specific position information to the external server 700 so as to be higher than that before receiving the event information (step S4). For this purpose, the CPU 414 of the control unit 401 of the center 400 has a function of making the request frequency of the specific location information for the external server after acquiring the event information higher than before acquiring the event information. The request frequency of the specific position information is changed by using a table showing the relationship between the detected event and the request frequency stored in the nonvolatile program 415 of the management unit 401 of the center 400 as shown in FIG. This is performed by referring to the CPU 414.

  Thereafter, the CPU 414 of the control unit 401 of the center 400 requests location specifying information from the external server 700 (step S5), and the CPU 414 of the control unit 401 of the external server 800 extracts the specific location information from the content information recording unit database 804. Then, the communication unit 802 of the external server 800 transmits the specific position information to the center 400 (step S7), and the communication unit 402 of the center 400 receives the specific position information (step S8). For this purpose, the CPU 414 of the control unit 401 of the center 400 has a function of acquiring the specific position information stored in the external server based on the event occurrence position included in the event information. Thereafter, the CPU 414 of the control unit 401 of the center 400 determines whether or not the specific position information received this time is the same as the specific position information received before stored in the reception information storage unit 421 (step S9). ).

  When it is determined that the specific position information received this time and the specific position information received before stored in the reception information storage unit 421 are not the same, the CPU 414 of the control unit 401 of the center 400 stores the reception information storage unit 421 in the reception information storage unit 421. The stored specific position information received before is updated (step S10). For this purpose, the content information recording unit 404 has a function of storing the specific position information, and the CPU 414 of the control unit 401 of the center 400 receives the specific position information received from the external server and the specific position information already stored. When the specific position information received from the external server is different from the stored specific position information, the specific position information is updated.

  Thereafter, the CPU 414 of the control unit 401 of the center 400 determines whether or not there is no event at the specific position based on the specific position information (step S11). For this purpose, the CPU 414 of the control unit 401 of the center 400 has a function of determining whether or not there is an event at a specific position based on the specific position information.

  When it is determined that the event at the specific position has not disappeared, the CPU 414 of the control unit 401 of the center 400 creates the alert information as shown in FIG. 7 (step S12), and determines the vehicle that delivers the alert information. (Step S13), the alert information is distributed to the distribution target vehicle (Step S14), and the process returns to Step S5. For this reason, when the CPU 414 of the control unit 401 of the center 400 determines that there is an event at a specific position, the CPU 414 has a function of determining a vehicle to which the alert information is to be distributed and distributing the alert information to the vehicle. The communication unit 9-1 of the vehicle 100-1 that is determined as the delivery target vehicle receives the alert information (step S15).

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of a criterion for distributing the alert information. According to the example shown in FIG. 11, the vehicle is located other than 1 km from the event occurrence position (for example, Sannomiya), and the vehicle is not being navigated by the navigation device or is located on the search route searched by the navigation device. Is not delivered, the alert signal is not delivered, otherwise the alert signal is delivered. Such a standard is stored as a map in the nonvolatile ROM 415 for reference by the CPU 414.

  In the present embodiment, the center 400 includes avoidance information for notifying the presence / absence of means for avoiding the occurrence position of the event together with the alert information, and the vehicles 100-1, 100-2,. . . , 100-n. Such avoidance information is created based on the vehicle position information and the travel route information by the CPU 414 of the control unit 401 of the center 400. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of display of avoidance information. In the example shown in FIG. 12A, avoidance routes a → b → d and a → d → c are displayed on the display unit 37 of the navigation device 10-3 of the vehicle 100-3 as an avoidance means, and in the example shown in FIG. Is displayed on the display unit 37 of the navigation device 10-3 of the vehicle 100-3.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the event at the specific position has disappeared, the CPU 414 of the control unit 401 of the center 400 creates the alert release information as shown in FIG. 8 (step S16) and distributes the alert release information. The vehicle to be determined is determined (step S17), and the alert release information is distributed to the distribution target vehicle (step S18). For this reason, when the CPU 414 of the control unit 401 of the center 400 determines that there is no event at the specific position, the CPU 414 determines a vehicle to which the alert release information is to be distributed and distributes the alert release information to the vehicle. Have. The communication unit 9-2 of the vehicle 100-2 that is determined to be a distribution target vehicle receives the alert information (step S19).

  Thereafter, the CPU 414 of the control unit 401 of the center 400 changes the request frequency of the specific position information to the external server 700 to the same request frequency as before receiving the event information (step S20). For this purpose, the CPU 414 of the control unit 401 of the center 400 has a function of returning the request frequency of the specific location information to the external server after the alert release information distribution before the acquisition of the event information. Note that the determination of the vehicle in step S17 and the distribution of the alert release information in step S18 are performed in the same manner as the determination of the vehicle in step S13 and the distribution of the alert information in step S14.

  If it is determined in step S9 that the specific position information is the same, it is determined that there is no event at the specific position, and the process proceeds to step S13. However, step S13 and step S14 may be omitted.

  According to the present embodiment, the specific location information is requested to the external server in which the database for storing the specific location information relating to the situation of the event at the specific location is established, and the request frequency of the specific location information to the external server is Set higher after receiving information than before receiving event information. Therefore, the frequency of requesting the specific location information with respect to the external server can be increased as the necessity of acquiring the specific location information regarding the situation of the event at the specific location increases.

  In addition, when acquiring information from an external server to inform the vehicle of the event status, it is not necessary to increase the frequency of requesting specific location information where no event exists. The load when acquiring from the server can be reduced.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart of another example of the system operation. Note that this flowchart shows the vehicles 100-1, 100-2,. . . , 100-n side is controlled by a program executed by the CPUs 13-1, 31 and the like, and on the center 440 side and the external servers 600, 700, 800 side are controlled by a program executed by the CPU 414.

  In the example shown in FIG. 13, the external servers 600 and 700 determine whether or not event information exists in the external servers 600 and 700 (step S21). If it is determined that an event exists, event information is transmitted to the center 400 (step S22).

4-1, 4-2,. . . . , 4-n Drive recorder 9-1, 9-2,. . , 9-n, 402, 602, 702, 802 communication units 10-1, 10-2,. . . , 10-n navigation devices 100-1, 100-2,. . . , 100-n Vehicle 200 Internet connection provider 300, 500 Internet 400 Center 401, 601, 701, 801 Control unit 600, 700, 800 External server

Claims (5)

The specific position information about the status of events in specific positions an information distribution apparatus which distributes to the vehicle,
Event information acquisition means for acquiring event information including an occurrence position of the event from at least one of the vehicle and an external server;
Based on the request for the specific location information to the external server, specific location information acquisition means for acquiring the specific location information corresponding to the occurrence position of the event included in the event information from the external server ,
Have
The specific position information obtaining means, the information distribution apparatus, characterized in that the request frequency for a particular location information for the external server after obtaining the event information, is set higher than the required frequency before the event information acquisition. Storage means for storing the specific position information;
Wherein comparing the specific position information stored in the acquired specific location information from an external server and the storage means, specific position that has been stored in the acquired specific location information from the external server said storage means If different from the information, the updating means for updating the specific position information stored in the storage means ;
The information distribution apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Event determining means for determining whether there is an event at the specific position based on the specific position information ;
When it is determined that there is no event at the specific position, alert release information distribution means for distributing alert release information for canceling alert to the event to a predetermined vehicle ; and
Information distribution apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 further comprising a. The specific position information obtaining means, the note after evoked release information is distributed, the request frequency of a particular location information to an external server, information distribution of claim 3 to set the frequency of requests before the event information acquisition apparatus. Event determining means for determining whether there is an event at the specific position based on the specific position information ;
When it is determined that there is an event at the specific position, alert information distribution means for distributing alert information for alerting the event to a predetermined vehicle ;
The information distribution apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

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