Travel time provision device

Abstract

To provide, by extraction, a travel time of a racing vehicle which has traveled on the same racing course to a user after measuring the travel time of the racing vehicle in a race without using a measurement system installed in a circuit.SOLUTION: A course DB 24 stores a plurality of combinations of a layout of a course with a measurement reference position of the course. A course specification section 30 specifies the course on which a racing vehicle RC has traveled based on a travel route of the racing vehicle RC with reference to the course DB 24. A travel time measurement section 32 measures a travel time of the racing vehicle RC based on the measurement reference position of the specified course, vehicle position information of the racing vehicle RC, and a vehicle position acquisition time associated with each piece of the vehicle position information, and causes a travel time DB 26 to store the information indicating the course and the measured travel time in association with each other. A provision processing section 34 provides a plurality of travel times associated with the same course to a user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This specification discloses an improvement to a running time providing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, systems have been provided that acquire information about the running of race vehicles participating in motorsport races. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a running vehicle position information providing system that calculates an offset representing the difference between the lap time of a race vehicle and a predetermined reference lap time, and calculates the position of the race vehicle on the racing course based on the elapsed time since the race vehicle passed a reference point on the racing course and the calculated offset. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-233462 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Now, consider measuring the running time of a racing vehicle in a motorsport competition. In this specification, the running time is a concept that includes the total time, which is the time required from the start of the race until the racing vehicle crosses the finish line, the lap time, which is the time required for the racing vehicle to complete one lap on the racing course (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as the "course"), if the racing course is a circuit course, and the sector time, which is the time required for the racing vehicle to run through each section defined on the course (in the case of a circuit course, the sections formed by dividing one lap of the course into multiple sections).

[0005] Typically, circuits where races are held have a timing system for measuring the running times of race vehicles, and the running times of race vehicles are measured using the timing system. However, such timing systems are owned by the circuit administrator. Therefore, if a race organizer who uses a race circuit to hold a race wants to use the timing system, they must go through procedures such as obtaining permission from the circuit administrator and paying a usage fee for the timing system to the circuit administrator.

[0006] In recent years, in addition to the method using such a measurement system, a method has been proposed for measuring the running time of race vehicles based on vehicle position information indicating the vehicle's location obtained using a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and the vehicle position acquisition time, which is the time at which each vehicle position information is acquired. In this method, a server acquires the vehicle position information and the vehicle position acquisition time from each race vehicle to measure the running time of each race vehicle. This allows the server to aggregate and manage the running times of each race vehicle. The server can then provide the aggregated running times to users, such as race vehicle drivers and racing team staff, in the form of a ranking, for example, sorting them in order of fastest time.

[0007] Here, the running times of multiple race vehicles running on multiple courses may be aggregated on a server. For example, one circuit may have multiple courses, such as a long course and a short course. When multiple race vehicles racing on multiple courses included in one circuit each transmit vehicle position information and vehicle position acquisition time to a server, the running times of the multiple race vehicles that have run on multiple courses are aggregated on the server.

[0008] In such cases, it is meaningless to compare the running times of race vehicles that have run on different courses, so it is desirable to extract the running times of race vehicles that have run on the same course and provide them to the user.

[0009] The purpose of the running time providing device disclosed in this specification is to measure the running time of a race vehicle in a race without using a measurement system installed on the circuit, and then extract the running times of race vehicles that have run on the same racing course and provide them to the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The running time providing device disclosed in this specification is characterized by comprising: a course identification unit that refers to a course database that stores multiple combinations of racing course layouts and measurement reference positions that serve as measurement standards for the running times of racing vehicles on the racing course, and identifies the racing course that the racing vehicle has run on based on the running path of the racing vehicle obtained from multiple vehicle position information that indicates the positions of the racing vehicle acquired over time; a running time measurement unit that measures the running time of the racing vehicle that has run on the identified racing course based on the measurement reference positions of the identified racing course, the vehicle position information, and the time when each of the vehicle position information was acquired, and associates the running time with information that indicates the identified racing course and stores it in memory; and a providing processing unit that provides a user with multiple running times associated with the same racing course.

[0011] The running time measurement unit acquires running performance information indicating the running performance of the race vehicle, associates the running performance information with information indicating the identified racing course and the running time, and stores the information in memory, and the provision processing unit provides the user with multiple running times associated with the same racing course and with running performance information indicating equivalent running performance. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The running time providing device disclosed in this specification can measure the running time of a race vehicle in a race without using a measurement system installed on the circuit, and then extract the running times of race vehicles that have run on the same racing course and provide them to the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a running time providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a running time providing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the contents of a course DB. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the contents of a running time DB. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing parameters used in a calculation for determining whether a racing vehicle has reached the finish line. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a running time providing screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] 1 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of a running time providing system 10 according to this embodiment. The running time providing system 10 includes a user terminal 12, an information acquisition device 14 provided in a race vehicle RC participating in a race, and a running time providing device 16. The user terminal 12, the information acquisition device 14, and the running time providing device 16 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a communication line 18 such as the Internet or wireless communication.

[0015] The race vehicle RC is not limited to a vehicle specifically designed for racing, such as an F1 car. Conventionally, races have been held in which commercially available general vehicles can participate, and general vehicles participating in such races are also included in the race vehicle RC. Furthermore, the race vehicle RC is not limited to a four-wheeled vehicle, but may be a two-wheeled vehicle. Furthermore, the type of engine of the race vehicle RC may be any type, or the race vehicle RC may be a vehicle without an engine.

[0016] The user terminal 12 is a terminal used by a user such as a driver of the racing vehicle RC, a racing team staff member, etc. The user terminal 12 may be, for example, a smartphone or a PC.

[0017] In this embodiment, the information acquisition device 14 is a device mounted on the race vehicle RC. The information acquisition device 14 may also be a device that is not mounted on the race vehicle RC as long as it can perform the functions described below. For example, the information acquisition device 14 may be a mobile terminal (such as a smartphone) that is brought into the race vehicle RC.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the information acquisition device 14 includes a vehicle position acquisition unit 14a and a traveling data acquisition unit 14b.

[0019] The vehicle position acquisition unit 14a is composed of, for example, an antenna that receives radio waves from GNSS satellites and a receiver that processes the received signals. The vehicle position acquisition unit 14a acquires vehicle position information that indicates the position of the race vehicle RC based on the timing of receiving radio waves from multiple GNSS satellites. The vehicle position acquisition unit 14a acquires the vehicle position information intermittently. For example, the vehicle position acquisition unit 14a acquires the vehicle position information at a frequency of about 20 Hz (about 20 times per second). In this embodiment, the vehicle position information is expressed in polar coordinates such as latitude and longitude (or further altitude).

[0020] Furthermore, the vehicle position acquisition unit 14a has a timekeeping function and acquires a vehicle position acquisition time, which is the time when the vehicle position information is acquired.

[0021] The running data acquisition unit 14b acquires various running data related to the running of the race vehicle RC based on the detection values ​​of various vehicle sensors provided on the race vehicle RC. The running data includes, for example, the speed of the race vehicle RC, the amount of operation of the accelerator and brake, the amount of operation of the steering wheel, and images captured by an on-board camera provided on the race vehicle RC, but is not limited to these.

[0022] The running data acquisition unit 14b acquires running data of the race vehicle RC over time. In particular, the running data acquisition unit 14b acquires running data of the race vehicle RC over time during the race.

[0023] The information acquisition device 14 associates the vehicle ID that identifies the race vehicle RC with the vehicle position information acquired by the vehicle position acquisition unit 14a and the vehicle position acquisition time at which the vehicle position information was acquired, and transmits them to the running time providing device 16. The information acquisition device 14 also associates the vehicle ID that identifies the race vehicle RC with the running data acquired by the running data acquisition unit 14b, and transmits them to the running time providing device 16.

[0024] Furthermore, the information acquisition device 14 may associate a vehicle ID that identifies the race vehicle RC with driving performance information that indicates the driving performance of the race vehicle RC and transmit the information to the driving time providing device 16. The driving performance information may include, for example, the model of the race vehicle RC, the engine model, and the tire model number, but is not limited to these. The driving performance information may be acquired by the information acquisition device 14 from each part of the race vehicle RC (such as the ECU or engine), or may be input to the information acquisition device 14 by the driver. The driving performance information of the race vehicle RC may also be input to the user terminal 12 by the user, and transmitted from the user terminal 12 to the driving time providing device 16.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the running time providing device 16 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the running time providing device 16 is configured as a server computer. However, the running time providing device 16 may be any device as long as it can perform the functions described below. Furthermore, the functions described below may be performed by multiple devices working together. In this case, the multiple devices correspond to the running time providing device 16.

[0026] The communication interface 20 is configured by, for example, a network adapter, etc. The communication interface 20 performs the function of communicating with the user terminal 12 and the information acquisition device 14.

[0027] The memory 22 is configured to include a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), an embedded multi media card (eMMC), a read only memory (ROM), or a random access memory (RAM). The memory 22 stores a running time providing program for operating each component of the running time providing device 16. The running time providing program may also be stored in a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium such as a universal serial bus (USB) memory or an SD card. The running time providing device 16 can read and execute the running time providing program from such a storage medium. As shown in FIG. 2, the memory 22 also stores a course database (DB) 24 and a running time DB 26.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the contents of the course DB 24. The course DB 24 stores information about each course on which a race is held. In particular, the course DB 24 stores multiple combinations of a course layout and a measurement reference position that serves as a measurement reference for the running time of the race vehicle RC on that course. In this embodiment, the course DB 24 stores multiple pieces of course information that associate a course ID that uniquely identifies the course, the course layout, the course length, the positions of the start line and finish line as measurement reference positions, and information indicating user evaluation. Furthermore, the course information may also be associated with information indicating the positions of the start line and finish line of each section (sector) on the course as measurement reference positions, or information indicating the positions of grid lines on a course having a grid. In the example of FIG. 3, each course is a circular course, but the course is not limited to a circular course. For example, a non-circular course such as a rally course may also be used.

[0029] The information indicating the layout of the course may include not only a diagram showing the shape of the course in a plan view, but also positional information indicating the shape of the course. For example, the information indicating the layout of the course may include positional information indicating the position of each corner of the course and information indicating the order in which each corner is passed.

[0030] In the example of FIG. 3, each course is a circular course, so the length of one lap is shown as the length of the course.

[0031] In this embodiment, position information indicating the positions of the start line, finish line, etc. is expressed in polar coordinates such as latitude and longitude (or even altitude). The start line (left) in FIG. 3 means one end of the start line, and the start line (right) means the other end of the start line. That is, in this embodiment, the start line is expressed by the polar coordinates of one end and the polar coordinates of the other end. The same applies to the finish line, the start and finish lines of each sector, and the grid lines. Note that on a circular course, the start line and finish line are generally in the same position, while on a non-circular course, the start line and finish line are in different positions.

[0032] Each piece of course information stored in the course DB 24 is provided to a user in response to a user's request. As will be described later, each user can register course information in the course DB 24, and the user can input a user rating (review) for the course information registered in the course DB 24. In the example of FIG. 3, the user rating is shown as a numerical value. For example, the processor 28 of the running time providing device 16 can delete course information with a low user rating (e.g., course information registered by mistake or prank) from the course DB 24.

[0033] An administrator of the running time providing device 16 or the like may store course information about several courses in the course DB 24, or course information provided by a user may be stored in the course DB 24. Alternatively, as will be described later, at least the layout of the course information may be registered based on the running route of the race vehicle RC based on a plurality of pieces of vehicle position information about the race vehicle RC.

[0034] Fig. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the contents of the running time DB 26. The running time DB 26 stores information indicating the course (the course ID and layout in the example of Fig. 4) and the running time of the race vehicle RC that has run on that course, measured by a running time measurement unit 32, which will be described later, in association with each other. The method of measuring the running time of the race vehicle RC and the details of the running time DB 26 will be described later.

[0035] Processor 28 is configured by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) etc. Processor 28 is communicably connected to communication interface 20 and memory 22 via a data bus. Processor 28 performs the functions of a course identification unit 30, a running time measurement unit 32, and a provision processing unit 34 by using a running time provision program stored in memory 22.

[0036] The course identification unit 30 identifies the course traveled by the race vehicle RC. First, the course identification unit 30 acquires, from the information acquisition device 14, a plurality of pieces of vehicle position information acquired over time by the vehicle position acquisition unit 14a while the race vehicle RC is traveling on the course. The course identification unit 30 can obtain the travel route of the race vehicle RC based on the multiple positions indicated by the multiple pieces of vehicle position information. In order to obtain the travel route of the race vehicle RC more accurately, the course identification unit 30 may obtain the travel route of the race vehicle RC by connecting the positions indicated by the vehicle position information in the order of the vehicle position acquisition times associated with each piece of vehicle position information.

[0037] Next, the course identification unit 30 refers to the course DB 24 and identifies the course that the race vehicle RC has traveled based on the travel route of the race vehicle RC. For example, the course identification unit 30 calculates the similarity between the shape of the layout of each course stored in the course DB 24 and the travel route of the race vehicle RC, and identifies the course having the layout with the greatest similarity as the course that the race vehicle RC has traveled.

[0038] The course identification unit 30 identifies the course traveled by the racing vehicle RC, and by referring to the course DB 24, it becomes possible to identify the measurement reference positions of the course (e.g., the start line, finish line, and the start and finish lines of each sector).

[0039] The course identification unit 30 may identify the course that the racing vehicle RC has traveled after the end of a race in which the racing vehicle RC is participating, but if it is desired to measure the lap time and sector time of the racing vehicle RC in real time during the race, it is preferable to identify the course before the start of the race that the racing vehicle RC is participating in. In this case, the course identification unit 30 may identify the course based on the travel path of the racing vehicle RC during, for example, a practice run or a formation lap (when the racing vehicle RC goes around the course to move to the race start position before the race).

[0040] If the course DB 24 does not contain a course similar to the travel path of the race vehicle RC (for example, if there is no course where the similarity between the shape of the course layout and the travel path of the race vehicle RC exceeds a predetermined similarity threshold), the course identification unit 30 may register new course information including the travel path of the race vehicle RC as a layout in the course DB 24. In this case, the course identification unit 30 requests the user to input the measurement reference positions of the course (such as the start line and finish line) and includes the measurement reference positions of the course in the course information based on the user input. For example, the course identification unit 30 may superimpose the travel path of the race vehicle RC on an orthoimage (an aerial photograph image in which tilt and positional deviation are corrected so that all positions in the image appear as if viewed from directly above) on the display unit of the user terminal 12 and prompt the user to input the measurement reference positions on the screen. Furthermore, the course identification unit 30 measures the length of the travel path from the input start line and finish line and includes this in the course information.

[0041] The running time measurement unit 32 measures the running time of the race vehicle RC running along the specified course based on the measurement reference position of the specified course, the vehicle position information of the race vehicle RC, and the vehicle position acquisition time associated with each vehicle position information. For example, the running time measurement unit 32 measures the time from the start of the race to the time the race vehicle RC crosses the finish line as the total time. In addition, the running time measurement unit 32 measures the time from the time the race vehicle RC crosses the start line to the time the race vehicle RC crosses the finish line as the lap time on a circular course. In addition, the running time measurement unit 32 measures the time from the time the race vehicle RC crosses the start line of a sector to the time the race vehicle RC crosses the finish line as the sector time. The race start time can be, for example, the time the race vehicle RC departs from the start line or near the grid based on the vehicle position information and the vehicle position acquisition time.

[0042] 5, a method for determining whether the race vehicle RC has passed the measurement reference position (line) and a method for specifying the time at which the race vehicle RC passed the measurement reference position (line) based on the vehicle position information and the vehicle position acquisition time will be described below. The following describes a case where the measurement reference position is the finish line, but the passing determination and the passing time can be specified in a similar manner even if the measurement reference position is the start line or the start line or finish line of a sector. In the following description, it is assumed that the antenna of the vehicle position acquisition unit 14a is provided at the front end of the race vehicle RC, and the vehicle position information of the race vehicle RC indicates the position of the front end of the race vehicle RC.

[0043] First, a method for determining whether the race vehicle RC has passed the measurement reference position (line) will be described. The running time measurement unit 32 converts two polar coordinates indicating the positions of one end and the other end of the measurement reference position (the finish line L1 in the example of FIG. 5) into Cartesian coordinates (x, y, z coordinates). Since the conversion to Cartesian coordinates can be performed using a known method (e.g., "GPS Theory and Applications," B. Hoffmann-Wellenhoff, H. Lichtenegger, J. Collins, Springer-Verlag Tokyo, p. 319), a detailed description thereof will be omitted here. Similarly, the running time measurement unit 32 also converts the polar coordinates indicating the position of the race vehicle RC into Cartesian coordinates.

[0044] In FIG. 5, one end of the goal line L1 is A1(X A1 ,Y A1 ), and the other end of the goal line L1 is represented by the Cartesian coordinate A2(X A2 ,Y A2 ) and the position of the race car RC is expressed as B1(X B1 ,Y B1 ) and B2(X B2 ,Y B2 ) B2 represents the current vehicle position of the race vehicle RC (immediately after passing the finish line L1), and B1 represents the past vehicle position of the race vehicle RC (immediately before passing the finish line L1). Note that in the example shown in FIG. 5, the z-axis coordinates of each position are omitted for convenience.

[0045] First, the line segment connecting A1 and A2 (i.e., the goal line L1) can be expressed by the following equation (2-1).

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[0046] If the traveling direction of the racing vehicle RC is the positive increment direction of the x-axis, the following equations (2-4) and (2-5) hold after the racing vehicle RC has passed the finish line L1. That is, the running time measurement unit 32 determines that the racing vehicle RC has passed the finish line L1 when the following equation (2-4) or (2-5) is satisfied. Note that m in equation (2-5) A is expressed by equation (2-2), and b A is expressed by equation (2-3).

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[0047] Next, we will explain how to determine the time when the race vehicle RC passed the measurement reference position (line). First, a line parallel to the finish line L1 is expressed by the following equation (3-1), and a line parallel to the traveling direction of the race vehicle RC is expressed by the following equation (3-2).

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[0048] From equation (3-1), equation (3-2), the coordinates of A1, A2, B1, and B2,

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[0049] Here, if the acquisition interval of the vehicle position information and the vehicle position acquisition time is sufficiently short and the change in speed of the racing vehicle RC is extremely small, the time when the racing vehicle RC reaches the passing point G1 can be calculated by linear interpolation using the following equation (3-9).

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[0050] The running time measurement unit 32 associates information indicating the course identified by the course identification unit 30 with the measured running time of the race vehicle RC and stores the associated information in the running time DB 26. In this embodiment, the running time measurement unit 32 associates the running time with the course ID and layout of the course identified by the course identification unit 30 and stores the running time in the running time DB 26.

[0051] 4, the running time measurement unit 32 may associate the information indicating the course identified by the course identification unit 30 and the running time of the race vehicle RC with the running performance information of the race vehicle RC acquired from the information acquisition device 14 (or the user terminal 12), and store the information in the running time DB 26. Furthermore, the running time measurement unit 32 may further associate the running data of the race vehicle RC during the race, acquired by the running data acquisition unit 14b, with the running time of the race vehicle RC, and store the data in the running time DB 26.

[0052] The provision processing unit 34 provides the user with a plurality of running times of a plurality of race vehicles RC measured by the running time measurement unit 32 and stored in the running time DB 26. In particular, the running time DB 26 stores a plurality of running times associated with a plurality of courses, and the provision processing unit 34 provides the user with a plurality of running times associated with the same course from the plurality of running times stored in the running time DB 26. In this case, the provision processing unit 34 may provide the user with a ranking of the plurality of running times in order of fastest to slowest.

[0053] For example, the user specifies a desired course (for example, a course that the user has driven if the user is a driver). When the provision processing unit 34 receives the course specification from the user, it provides the user with a plurality of driving times associated with the specified course. This allows the user to check only the driving times that are relevant to the user (i.e., the driving times associated with the specified course) among the plurality of driving times stored in the driving time DB 26.

[0054] In particular, the provision processing unit 34 may provide the user with multiple running times associated with the same course and with driving performance information that indicates equivalent driving performance. In this case, the user specifies the desired course as well as the desired driving performance (e.g., engine model, horsepower range, etc.). When the provision processing unit 34 receives the user's specification of the course and driving performance, it provides the user with multiple running times associated with the specified course and with driving performance information that satisfies the specified driving performance. Even if race vehicles RC have run the same course, comparing the running times of race vehicles RC that have completely different driving performance (e.g., completely different engine performance) may not be very meaningful. In such cases, by specifying the course and driving performance, the user can view only the running times that are relevant to them (i.e., multiple running times associated with the specified course and with driving performance information that satisfies the specified driving performance).

[0055] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a running time providing screen. In this embodiment, the providing processing unit 34 provides the user with running times by displaying the running time providing screen on the display unit 12a of the user terminal 12. As shown in FIG. 6, the providing processing unit 34 can also provide the user with multiple running times for multiple courses. The running time providing screen also includes a download button DL associated with each running time. When the user operates the download button DL associated with a certain running time, the providing processing unit 34 provides the user with the running data of the race vehicle RC during the race that is associated with that running time and stored in the running time DB 26. This allows the user, for example, to check the running data related to a race vehicle RC that has achieved an excellent running time and use it as a reference for their own driving.

[0056] The above describes an embodiment of the running time providing device according to the present disclosure, but the running time providing device according to the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible as long as they do not deviate from the spirit of the device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 10 Running time providing system, 12 User terminal, 14 Information acquisition device, 14a Vehicle position acquisition unit, 16 Running time providing device, 20 Communication interface, 22 Memory, 24 Course DB, 26 Running time DB, 28 Processor, 30 Course identification unit, 32 Running time measurement unit, 34 Provision processing unit.

Claims

1. a course identification unit that refers to a course database that stores a plurality of combinations of a racing course layout and a measurement reference position that serves as a measurement reference for the racing vehicle's running time on the racing course, and identifies the racing course that the racing vehicle has run on, based on the running path of the racing vehicle obtained from a plurality of vehicle position information that indicates the positions of the racing vehicle acquired over time; a running time measurement unit that measures the running time of the race vehicle that has run on the specified racing course based on the measurement reference position of the specified racing course, the vehicle position information, and the time when each piece of vehicle position information was acquired, and associates the running time with information indicating the specified racing course and stores it in a memory; a providing processing unit that provides a user with a plurality of running times associated with the same racing course; A running time providing device comprising:

2. the running time measurement unit acquires running performance information indicating the running performance of the race vehicle, associates the running performance information with information indicating the identified racing course and the running time, and stores the information in a memory; the providing processing unit provides the user with a plurality of running times associated with the same racing course and associated with the running performance information indicating equivalent running performance.

2. The running time providing device according to claim 1.

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