In-vehicle device

Abstract

To provide an in-vehicle device capable of rapidly outputting alert information when an abnormality occurs in a vehicle's operating status.SOLUTION: An in-vehicle device is installed in a vehicle with a pre-set operating route. The in-vehicle device includes an acquisition unit, a storage unit, a determination unit, and an output unit. The acquisition unit acquires position information for identifying the current location based on signals from a satellite positioning system. The storage unit stores route information representing the operating route. The determination unit determines whether the current operating status is abnormal using the position information and the route information. The output unit outputs alert information when the determination unit determines that the current operating status is abnormal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an in-vehicle device that is mounted on a vehicle whose travel route is set in advance. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a route bus operation management system that matches the current position of each route bus vehicle with the route and manages the operation of each vehicle on an operation management server. This operation management system can correct positioning errors in the current position of each vehicle on the route by using location information from offices, parking lots, etc. adjacent to the route. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-202098 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the traffic management system described above, the traffic status of each vehicle is grasped by the traffic management server that receives location information from each vehicle. However, the inventors of the present application thought that if an abnormality in the traffic status of each vehicle could be handled by each vehicle without going through the traffic management server, damage caused by the abnormality in the traffic status could be minimized.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle device that can output alert information more quickly when an abnormality occurs in the operating state of the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An in-vehicle device according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a vehicle whose travel route is set in advance. The in-vehicle device includes an acquisition unit, a storage unit, a determination unit, and an output unit. The acquisition unit acquires location information that identifies a current location based on a signal from a satellite positioning system. The storage unit stores route information representing the travel route. The determination unit determines whether or not the current operating state is abnormal using the location information and the route information. The output unit outputs alert information when the determination unit determines that an abnormality has occurred.

[0007] This in-vehicle device can complete the series of operations up to outputting alert information indicating an abnormality in the vehicle's operating status within the vehicle itself, without going through a remote management system. Therefore, this in-vehicle device can quickly output alert information, thereby minimizing damage caused by an abnormality in the vehicle's operating status.

[0008] The route information may include a route line that shows the travel route as a series of lines. The determination unit may determine whether or not a deviation state occurs in which a distance from the current position specified by the position information to the route line is greater than a predetermined threshold. The determination unit may determine that an abnormality has occurred when the deviation state continues for more than a first predetermined time. The route line may be made up of a plurality of straight lines connecting a plurality of representative points along the travel route. The positions of the plurality of representative points may be determined based on at least the positions of intersections and curves.

[0009] The output unit may output the alert information to a traffic control center by wireless communication. The output unit may output the alert information by an output device provided in the vehicle.

[0010] The vehicle may be a route bus. In this case, the route information may include a route line made up of a plurality of straight lines connecting a plurality of representative points along the operating route, and the positions of the representative points may be determined based on at least the positions of bus stops.

[0011] The storage unit may further store section information that identifies a non-stop section on the travel route where the vehicle is unlikely to stop. In this case, the determination unit may determine that an abnormality has occurred when the current position specified by the position information in the non-stop section does not change for more than a second predetermined time.

[0012] Furthermore, the acquisition unit may further acquire open / close information indicating an open / close state of an entry / exit door in the vehicle. The determination unit may determine that an abnormality has occurred if the boarding / alighting door is in an open state when the current position specified by the position information is not at a position corresponding to a bus stop. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an in-vehicle device that can output alert information more quickly when an abnormality occurs in the operating state of the vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an in-vehicle device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating processing content in the in-vehicle device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0016] [Outline of the in-vehicle device 10] The in-vehicle device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a vehicle that has a preset driving route, i.e., that does not travel outside of the driving route under normal driving conditions. In such a vehicle, if an abnormality occurs in the driving state, the abnormality is generally reported to a traffic control center or the like via a remote management system such as a driving management server that remotely manages the driving of the vehicle.

[0017] In the above-mentioned vehicles, when various abnormalities occur, including time-sensitive situations such as a driver becoming unconscious or a bus being hijacked, it is preferable to report the abnormality to a remote management system as soon as possible. In other words, the earlier the remote management system can detect the occurrence of an abnormality, the earlier it can respond and minimize damage.

[0018] In contrast, the in-vehicle device 10 is configured to notify the traffic control center, etc. directly from the vehicle without going through the remote management system when various abnormalities occur in the vehicle. This allows the in-vehicle device 10 to reduce the time required to notify the traffic control center, etc. by the time required to go through the remote management system.

[0019] The inventors of the present application have focused on the fact that when various abnormalities occur in a vehicle, the vehicle is highly likely to deviate from its travel route. That is, the in-vehicle device 10 is configured to determine whether various abnormalities have occurred in the vehicle based on whether deviation from the travel route has caused an abnormality in the vehicle's travel state.

[0020] [Overall Configuration of In-Vehicle Device 10] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an in-vehicle device 10 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the in-vehicle device 10 includes an acquisition unit 11, a storage unit 12, a determination unit 13, and an output unit 14. In the in-vehicle device 10, the acquisition unit 11, the storage unit 12, and the output unit 14 are all connected to the determination unit 13.

[0021] In the in-vehicle device 10, each component may be configured as an integrated unit or may be configured as separate components. Also, in the in-vehicle device 10, each component may be configured by two or more independent elements. Furthermore, the in-vehicle device 10 may further include components other than those shown in FIG. 1 as necessary.

[0022] The acquisition unit 11 acquires location information that identifies the current location V based on a signal from a satellite positioning system. The acquisition unit 11 includes a receiving unit that receives a signal from a navigation satellite of the satellite positioning system. The acquisition unit 11 may use the signal received by the receiving unit as location information directly, or may process the signal received by the receiving unit to generate location information itself.

[0023] 2 shows an example of the current position V. In the position information, the current position V is identified as a point defined by latitude and longitude in a geographic coordinate system having two axes, latitudinal lines and longitudinal lines. The acquisition unit 11 receives signals from navigation satellites at short intervals using a receiving unit, thereby sequentially acquiring position information that identifies the current position V.

[0024] The satellite positioning system used by the acquisition unit 11 is typically a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) such as a Global Positioning System (GPS). However, the acquisition unit 11 can also use, for example, a Quasi-Zenith Satellite System as a satellite positioning system other than the GNSS.

[0025] The storage unit 12 stores route information that represents the vehicle's travel route. The route information stored in the storage unit 12 includes a route line L that represents the travel route as a series of lines connecting points defined by the latitude and longitude of points along the travel route in a geographic coordinate system with two axes of latitude and longitude.

[0026] An example of a route line L is shown in FIG. 2. The route line L shown in FIG. 2 has negative representative points P corresponding to multiple points along the travel route. nIt is made up of a plurality of straight lines connecting (n=0 to N). In other words, the route line L shown in Fig. 2 is a line obtained by approximating the operating route with a plurality of straight line segments.

[0027] By approximating the travel route as a line segment as described above, the route line L of the route information can significantly reduce the data size compared to a curved line that accurately represents the travel route. This eliminates the need for a large-capacity storage unit 12 in the in-vehicle device 10, which is advantageous for making the device compact, lightweight, and inexpensive for in-vehicle use.

[0028] Multiple representative points P n The representative points P do not necessarily have to be located at positions that coincide with the travel route, but are set so that the travel route can be well represented by the route line L. n The position of the vehicle is preferably determined based on at least the positions of intersections and curves on the travel route where the direction of travel of the vehicle changes significantly.

[0029] In the route information, the representative point P on the route line L n The number N of the representative points P can be determined arbitrarily based on the shape of the route and the capacity of the storage unit 12. n It is not necessary that the representative points P are connected by straight lines. n Alternatively, the curve may be an approximate curve obtained by extrapolating the above.

[0030] The determination unit 13 determines whether or not the current operating state of the vehicle is abnormal, using the position information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 and the route information stored in the storage unit 12. Specifically, the determination unit 13 determines whether or not the operating state of the vehicle is abnormal, based on the degree of deviation of the current position V specified by the position information from the operating route.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows a distance d between the current position V and the route line L. The distance d is defined as the distance between the current position V and the foot of a perpendicular line drawn from the current position V to the route line L. The determination unit 13 sets a first threshold value for the distance d, and determines whether or not the vehicle is in a deviation state from the travel route based on the first threshold value. The first threshold value for the distance d is stored in the memory unit 12.

[0032] That is, the determination unit 13 determines that the vehicle is not in a deviation state when the distance d is equal to or less than the first threshold value, and determines that the vehicle is in a deviation state when the distance d is greater than the first threshold value. For example, when the determination unit 13 determines that the vehicle is in a deviation state because the distance d is greater than the first threshold value, the determination unit 13 can determine that the vehicle operating state is abnormal.

[0033] In the on-vehicle device 10, the first threshold value of the distance d can be determined in consideration of the width of the roads on the travel route and the positioning accuracy of the satellite positioning system so that the determination unit 13 can accurately determine an abnormality in the vehicle's travel state. Specifically, in the on-vehicle device 10, the first threshold value of the distance d can be set to, for example, 10 meters.

[0034] Furthermore, the determination unit 13 does not have to immediately determine that an abnormality exists just because it has determined that a deviation state exists. For example, the determination unit 13 can determine that an abnormality exists when the deviation state continues for more than a first predetermined time. The first predetermined time is stored in the storage unit 12. This allows the in-vehicle device 10 to suppress the influence of errors in the current position V caused by noise in the signal received by the acquisition unit 11, etc.

[0035] In the in-vehicle device 10, the first predetermined time can be determined in consideration of the width of roads on the travel route and the positioning accuracy of the satellite positioning system so that the determination unit 13 can accurately determine an abnormality in the vehicle's travel state. Specifically, in the in-vehicle device 10, the first predetermined time can be set to, for example, 10 seconds.

[0036] Furthermore, the determination unit 13 may set a second threshold value for the distance d that is greater than the first threshold value. The second threshold value for the distance d is stored in the memory unit 12. In this case, if the distance d is greater than the second threshold value, the determination unit 13 can determine that the vehicle's operating state is abnormal, as this is a state in which the degree of deviation is large even before the duration of the deviation state exceeds the first predetermined time.

[0037] In the on-vehicle device 10, the second threshold value of the distance d can be determined in consideration of the width of the roads on the travel route and the positioning accuracy of the satellite positioning system so that the determination unit 13 can accurately determine an abnormality in the vehicle's travel state. Specifically, in the on-vehicle device 10, the second threshold value of the distance d can be set to, for example, 20 meters.

[0038] The output unit 14 outputs alert information when the determination unit 13 determines that the vehicle's operating condition is abnormal. The output of alert information by the output unit 14 is not limited to output by a specific method, but refers to processing content that makes it possible for a person or a system to recognize in some way that the vehicle's operating condition is abnormal.

[0039] The output unit 14 outputs the alert information to a traffic control center, for example, by wireless communication via a mobile communication network, etc. This allows the in-vehicle device 10 to report an abnormality in the vehicle's operating status to the traffic control center directly from the vehicle without going through a remote management system.

[0040] Therefore, the in-vehicle device 10 can shorten the time it takes for the traffic control center to become aware of an abnormality in the vehicle's operating condition after it occurs, which enables the traffic control center to quickly take measures such as traffic control such as traffic restrictions, and providing information to the local police station, the operation management company, etc.

[0041] Furthermore, since the in-vehicle device 10 reports without going through the remote management system, it can reliably report to the traffic control center even if a communication failure occurs with the remote management system. This prevents the in-vehicle device 10 from failing to report to the traffic control center when an abnormality occurs in the vehicle's operating status.

[0042] The output destination of the alert information from the output unit 14 is not limited to a traffic control center. For example, the output unit 14 may output the alert information by an output device provided in the vehicle. Examples of the output device provided in the vehicle include a display device that provides visual output and an audio device that provides auditory output.

[0043] Specifically, the output unit 14 can display the alert information on a display device that is provided so as to be visible from outside the vehicle. The output unit 14 can also sound an alarm as the alert information using an audio device toward the outside of the vehicle. These can notify passersby around the vehicle and occupants of other vehicles of an abnormality in the vehicle's operating condition.

[0044] The output unit 14 can also display alert information on a display device that is provided so as to be visible from inside the vehicle. The output unit 14 can also emit an alarm sound as alert information using an audio device toward the inside of the vehicle. These functions can notify the driver and passengers inside the vehicle of abnormalities in the vehicle's operating conditions.

[0045] In this way, the in-vehicle device 10 can directly notify people inside or around the vehicle of any abnormalities in the vehicle's operating conditions from the vehicle itself, allowing people inside or around the vehicle to quickly recognize abnormalities in the vehicle's operating conditions and take prompt action to ensure their own safety or to minimize damage.

[0046] [Example of application of the in-vehicle device 10 to a route bus] An example of a vehicle to which the in-vehicle device 10 according to this embodiment can be suitably applied is a route bus that transports an unspecified number of passengers. Route buses travel along routes that are set in advance according to the route, and transport passengers between stops by letting passengers get on and off at stops set along the route.

[0047] In the on-board device 10 mounted on a route bus, a plurality of representative points P are used to generate a route line L of the route information stored in the storage unit 12. n It is preferable to determine the position of the bus stop based on at least the positions of the bus stops. This allows the on-board device 10 to accurately grasp the positions of the bus stops on the operating route using the route line L.

[0048] In addition, route buses have the characteristic of stopping only under very limited conditions, such as at bus stops, waiting at traffic lights, or during traffic jams. For this reason, it is possible to predict non-stop sections along a route where route buses are unlikely to stop. In other words, route buses stopped in non-stop sections are likely to have an abnormality in their operation.

[0049] For this reason, it is preferable that the storage unit 12 of the in-vehicle device 10 further stores section information that identifies a non-stop section. This allows the determination unit 13 to determine that the operating condition of the route bus is abnormal when the current position V does not change for more than a second predetermined time in a non-stop section identified by the section information. The second predetermined time is stored in the storage unit 12.

[0050] In the in-vehicle device 10, the second predetermined time can be determined in consideration of the speed limit on the travel route and the positioning accuracy of the satellite positioning system so that the determination unit 13 can accurately determine an abnormality in the vehicle's travel state. Specifically, in the in-vehicle device 10, the second predetermined time can be set to, for example, 10 seconds.

[0051] Furthermore, route buses have the characteristic that their boarding and alighting doors for passengers to board and alight only open at bus stops along their route, meaning that they do not open at points other than bus stops. For this reason, if a route bus has its boarding and alighting doors open at a point other than a bus stop along its route, there is a high possibility that an abnormality has occurred in its operation.

[0052] For this reason, it is preferable that the acquisition unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 10 further acquires opening / closing information indicating the opening / closing state of the boarding / exiting doors of the route bus. The acquisition unit 11 can be configured to acquire the opening / closing information from, for example, a sensor that detects the opening / closing operation of the doors or a sensor that detects the opening / closing operation by the driver.

[0053] As a result, in the vehicle-mounted device 10, the judgment unit 13 can use the position information and opening / closing information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 to determine that the operating condition of the route bus is abnormal if the boarding / alighting door is open when the current position V is not at a position corresponding to a bus stop on the operating route.

[0054] In addition, the time it takes for a route bus to depart from one stop and arrive at the next can be predicted based on the distance between stops, the number of traffic lights, etc. Therefore, if a route bus does not arrive at the next stop after a significantly longer time than predicted from departing from a stop, there is a high possibility that an abnormality in the operation has occurred.

[0055] For this reason, it is preferable that the storage unit 12 of the in-vehicle device 10 stores time limits set for each section between adjacent bus stops. This allows the determination unit 13 to determine that the operating condition of the route bus is abnormal when the route bus does not arrive at the next stop even after the time limit has elapsed since it departed from a stop.

[0056] [Other embodiments] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified in various ways. For example, vehicles to which the in-vehicle device 10 can be suitably applied are not limited to route buses, but also include tourist buses and school buses (such as kindergarten shuttle buses).

[0057] The route information stored in the memory unit 12 may include information other than the route line L, such as the topography of the travel route. The route information may not necessarily include the route line L, as long as it is information that, in combination with the location information acquired by the acquisition unit 11, enables the determination unit 13 to determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the vehicle's travel state. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 10…In-vehicle device 11…Acquisition part 12...Storage section 13…Judgment section 14...Output section

Claims

1. An in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle whose travel route is set in advance, an acquisition unit that acquires location information that identifies a current location based on a signal from a satellite positioning system; a storage unit that stores route information representing the travel route; a determination unit that determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the current operating state using the location information and the route information; an output unit that outputs alert information when the determination unit determines that an abnormality has occurred; An in-vehicle device comprising:

2. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1, the route information includes a route line that represents the travel route with a series of lines; The determination unit determines whether a distance from the current position specified by the position information to the route line is greater than a predetermined threshold value, indicating a deviation state. In-vehicle device.

3. 3. The in-vehicle device according to claim 2, The determination unit determines that an abnormality has occurred when the deviation state continues for more than a first predetermined time. In-vehicle device.

4. 4. The in-vehicle device according to claim 2 or 3, The route line is composed of a plurality of straight lines connecting a plurality of representative points along the travel route. In-vehicle device.

5. The in-vehicle device according to claim 4, The positions of the plurality of representative points are determined based on at least the positions of intersections and curves. In-vehicle device.

6. The in-vehicle device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The output unit outputs the alert information to a traffic control center by wireless communication. In-vehicle device.

7. The in-vehicle device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The output unit outputs the alert information by an output device provided in the vehicle. In-vehicle device.

8. The in-vehicle device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The vehicle is a route bus In-vehicle device.

9. The in-vehicle device according to claim 8, the route information includes a route line formed of a plurality of straight lines connecting a plurality of representative points along the travel route; The positions of the plurality of representative points are determined based on at least the positions of bus stops. In-vehicle device.

10. The in-vehicle device according to claim 8, The storage unit further stores section information that identifies a non-stop section on the travel route where the vehicle is unlikely to stop, The determination unit determines that an abnormality has occurred when the current position specified by the position information in the non-stop section does not change for more than a second predetermined time. In-vehicle device.

11. The in-vehicle device according to claim 8, The acquisition unit further acquires opening / closing information indicating an opening / closing state of an entry / exit door of the vehicle, The determination unit determines that an abnormality has occurred when the boarding / alighting door is in an open state while the current position specified by the position information is not in a position corresponding to a bus stop. In-vehicle device.

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