Traffic information system

Abstract

To provide a traffic information provision system capable of providing traffic information necessary for driving to a vehicle at an appropriate timing.SOLUTION: A traffic information provision system 100 includes: a vehicle position detection unit PD that is fixedly installed to detect that a vehicle VE is located at a specific position SP; and an information provision device 10 for providing the vehicle VE with traffic information ahead of the specific position SP detected by the vehicle position detection unit PD. Based on detection of a self-position of the vehicle VE using the fixedly installed vehicle position detection unit PD, the traffic information ahead of the position is provided to the vehicle VE by the information provision device 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a traffic information providing system that provides traffic information to a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a technology is known that uses a magnetic marker to reliably detect a vehicle's driving position when providing driving assistance (see Patent Document 1). Also, a technology related to data transmission is known that corrects time delays in data transmission (see Patent Document 2).

[0003] However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose anything about providing traffic information to vehicles at an appropriate time. Even if the technology disclosed in Patent Document 2 were simply applied to a system for providing traffic information such as that in Patent Document 1, it is not necessarily possible to provide traffic information to vehicles appropriately, taking into account not only the time difference in sending and receiving traffic information but also errors in position detection, etc. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-57301 A [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 2005-534219 Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned points, and has an object to provide a traffic information providing system that can provide a vehicle with traffic information necessary for traveling at an appropriate timing.

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the traffic information system includes a vehicle position detection unit that is fixedly installed and detects that a vehicle is at a specific location, and an information providing device that provides the vehicle with traffic information beyond the specific location detected by the vehicle position detection unit.

[0007] In the above traffic information system, a fixedly installed vehicle position detection unit is used to enable the vehicle to easily and reliably detect its own position, and based on this position detection, the information provision device provides the vehicle with traffic information beyond that position, thereby providing the vehicle with traffic information necessary for determining the upcoming situation as the vehicle travels, at the appropriate time.

[0008] In a specific aspect of the present invention, the vehicle position detection unit includes a magnetic marker fixedly installed on the road. In this case, traffic information can be provided at an appropriate time by using the magnetic marker fixedly installed on the road.

[0009] In another aspect of the present invention, a time difference correction device is provided that corrects a time difference occurring between the time when traffic information provided by the information providing device is sent and the time when the traffic information is received by the vehicle. In this case, by taking into account the time difference in communication processing, it becomes possible for the vehicle to make an appropriate decision based on the provided traffic information.

[0010] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the information providing device includes information on signal lamps at the vehicle's travel destination as traffic information to be provided. In this case, it becomes possible to appropriately select a route depending on the light color state of the signal lamps at the vehicle's travel destination.

[0011] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a traffic information acquisition device is provided that is mounted on a vehicle and, when a vehicle position detection unit detects that the vehicle is at a specific position, selects and acquires information corresponding to the driving conditions of the vehicle from among traffic information provided by an information providing device. In this case, it becomes possible to determine a driving manner suitable for the driving conditions of the vehicle based on the selected information.

[0012] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a driving adjustment device is provided that is mounted on a vehicle and adjusts the driving of the vehicle based on information acquired by a traffic information acquisition device, and the driving adjustment device determines the adjustment content based on the result of correcting the time difference between the current time and the information provision time included in the information acquired by the traffic information acquisition device. In this case, driving adjustment that takes into account the time difference in communication processing is possible.

[0013] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the present invention includes an information request device that is mounted on a vehicle and that requests the information providing device to provide traffic information corresponding to the specific location when the vehicle location detection unit detects that the vehicle is at the specific location, and a traffic information processing device that is provided in the information providing device and extracts traffic information in response to the request from the information request device. In this case, it is possible to request a signal corresponding to the current location of the vehicle and obtain the signal extracted in response to the request. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are conceptual diagrams for explaining an outline of a traffic information providing system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a traffic information providing system. [Diagram 3] 1 is a conceptual plan view for explaining the installation of a magnetic marker as a vehicle position detection unit. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining transmission of traffic information. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of each unit. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the traffic information providing system. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of traffic information data to be transmitted. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a conceptual plan view showing a modified example of the installation of a magnetic marker as a vehicle position detection unit. [Figure 9]FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a traffic information providing system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] 13(A) and 13(B) are conceptual diagrams showing a modified example of a vehicle position detection unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] [First embodiment] An example of the traffic information system according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 1 and other figures. Fig. 1(A) is a conceptual diagram for explaining the outline of the traffic information system 100 according to this embodiment, and in particular shows the state of the infrastructure side equipment. Fig. 1(B) shows the state of a vehicle VE that can use the traffic information system 100 traveling in the state of Fig. 1(A). Fig. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the traffic information system 100, and Fig. 3 is a conceptual plan view for explaining the installation of a magnetic marker MM as a vehicle position detection unit PD constituting the traffic information system 100.

[0016] For example, as shown in FIG. 1(A) and the like, a traffic information providing system 100 according to this embodiment includes a vehicle position detection unit PD and an information providing device 10.

[0017] In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 1(A), as a premise for simplifying the explanation, it is assumed that the driving direction on the road surface RS is the direction indicated by the arrow RD1, as shown in the figure, and the vehicle position detection unit PD is embedded in a specific position SP on the road surface RS.

[0018] The vehicle position detection unit PD is, for example, a magnetic marker MM made of a magnetic material, and is embedded in the specific position SP of the road surface RS as described above. In contrast, as shown in Fig. 1(B), the vehicle VE is provided with a magnetic marker sensor MS at a location facing the magnetic marker MM (for example, the bottom surface of the vehicle body), and the vehicle VE can objectively know its own position by detecting the change in magnetic flux density associated with the presence of the magnetic marker MM at the specific position SP using the magnetic marker sensor MS. As described above, the magnetic marker MM is fixedly installed and functions as the vehicle position detection unit PD that detects that the vehicle VE is at the specific position SP.

[0019] As will be described in detail later, the vehicle VE is equipped with various map information, a self-position detection unit, a communication unit, etc., so that it can recognize the specific position SP where the magnetic marker MM is fixedly installed from the detection result of the magnetic marker sensor MS. A typical example of the vehicle VE is an autonomous vehicle that enables autonomous driving by utilizing information obtained from an information providing device 10, etc., and various devices mounted on the vehicle, but the present invention can also be applied to vehicles other than autonomous vehicles.

[0020] The information providing device 10 holds various types of traffic information (traffic information α, β, γ...) and provides it to the vehicle VE. In particular, as shown in FIG. 1(B) as an example, various types of information corresponding to the time when the vehicle VE reaches the vehicle position detection unit PD are provided from the information providing device 10 to the vehicle VE, and at this time, the information providing device 10 provides the vehicle VE with traffic information beyond the specific position SP in the direction indicated by the arrow RD1. By receiving such information, the vehicle VE can know the traffic conditions at the travel destination and can determine (select) the optimal travel method in advance.

[0021] As described above, the traffic information providing system 100 can provide the vehicle VE with traffic information necessary for determining the upcoming situation while traveling at an appropriate timing.

[0022] An example of the overall configuration of the traffic information providing system 100 including the vehicle position detection unit PD (magnetic marker MM) and the information providing device 10 will be described below with reference to Fig. 2. Here, it is assumed that information regarding the remaining number of seconds for the light color displayed at a signal lamp is handled as an example of traffic information provided by the information providing device 10. In this case, the vehicle VE that receives the information can determine in advance whether or not it is possible to pass through the signal lamp (traffic light) at the travel destination, and can select the optimal driving method according to the result of this determination.

[0023] As shown in the figure, the traffic information system 100 comprises a plurality of traffic lights 30 (30A, 30B, 30C, ...) installed in various locations, vehicle position detection units PD (PDa, PDb, PDc, ...) corresponding to each of the traffic lights 30A, 30B, 30C, ..., a control center 50, a relay unit IM, and a plurality of distribution centers (distribution centers 1, 2, 3, ...) DC.

[0024] Each traffic light 30 includes a control device 20 that controls, for example, changing the light color of the traffic light TL in addition to the traffic light TL. The control device 20 communicates with the control center 50 and notifies the control center 50 of the contents of the control operation of the traffic light TL under its jurisdiction. This information includes information on the number of seconds remaining for the light color to be displayed at the traffic light and information on the notification time. In the illustrated example, the various types of traffic information output from each of the traffic lights 30A, 30B, 30C, ... to the control center 50 in the above manner are referred to as traffic information α, β, γ, .... This information is updated sequentially according to notifications from the control device 20.

[0025] As described above, the control center 50 aggregates traffic information (traffic information α, β, γ...) from the traffic lights 30 installed in various locations, and has overall control over traffic conditions. The control center 50 also distributes the aggregated information. That is, the control center 50 provides the traffic information α, β, γ... to multiple distribution centers (distribution centers 1, 2, 3...) DC via one or multiple relay units IM as necessary.

[0026] As described above, each distribution center DC holds the traffic information α, β, γ, . . . and distributes necessary information to vehicles VE with which it has a partnership contract. In this way, the distribution center DC functions as an information providing device 10.

[0027] Moreover, each of the vehicle position detection units PDa, PDb, PDc... is provided at a predetermined distance upstream in the traveling direction from the corresponding traffic light 30A, 30B, 30C.... This enables the vehicle VE, at the time of passing each of the vehicle position detection units PDa, PDb, PDc..., to obtain corresponding traffic information from among the traffic information α, β, γ... held by the affiliated distribution center DC.

[0028] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3, a specific example will be described regarding the installation position and installation manner of the magnetic marker MM serving as the vehicle position detection unit PD.

[0029] First, in the illustrated example, a magnetic marker MM serving as a vehicle position detection unit PD is installed upstream of the intersection where the traffic lights 30 are installed, and more specifically, the center position of the intersection SE (crossroads) where the traffic lights 30 are installed is set as a reference point SC, and the magnetic marker MM serving as the vehicle position detection unit PD is installed at a point (upstream point) a distance L (unit: m) from the reference point SC. Note that in the illustrated example, multiple magnetic markers MM (three in the illustrated example) are placed at a certain interval along the width direction so that they are not undetected depending on the passing position of the vehicle VE.

[0030] In the illustrated example, first, at a traffic light 30 installed at an intersection SE, four signal lamps TL are collectively controlled by one control device 20, and the control device 20 outputs information indicating the control status to a control center 50. As described above, the control center 50 directly or indirectly provides traffic information to a distribution center DC, which includes traffic information related to the illustrated traffic light 30.

[0031] The following description focuses on the road R1, which illustrates the vehicle VE, among the four roads R1 to R4 that constitute the intersection SE (crossroads).

[0032] Based on the above assumptions, first, when the vehicle VE traveling in the direction of the arrow RD1 detects the passing of a magnetic marker MM installed at a point (specific position SP) at a distance L [m] upstream of a traffic light 30, the vehicle VE communicates with an affiliated distribution center DC and receives traffic information related to the traffic light 30 installed at the intersection SE corresponding to the passed magnetic marker MM. In other words, the vehicle VE receives information related to the number of seconds remaining for the light color of the traffic light TL at the vehicle's destination and various notification times such as the time when the information was generated. By using the above information, the vehicle VE can determine, for example, whether it is possible to pass through the intersection SE in its current driving condition.

[0033] In order to make the above judgment possible, when the presence of the magnetic marker MM is confirmed, the vehicle VE recognizes the location of the magnetic marker MM as its own location and also stores information on the time of confirmation. As a result, when time has passed before the necessary traffic information is provided from the distribution center DC functioning as the information providing device 10, the vehicle VE can calculate the actual (current) remaining number of seconds for the light color to be displayed by correcting the number of seconds remaining for the light color at the time of information generation by comparing with each acquired time.

[0034] The distance L from the reference point SC is set to an appropriate value taking into consideration the speed limit on the road, the braking distance of the vehicle associated therewith, the time required for information communication, the information processing capacity of the vehicle, etc. In other words, the distance L is set to be sufficient in terms of space and time for the period from when the vehicle passes (steps on) the magnetic marker MM until the vehicle VE makes a decision as to whether or not to pass through the corresponding traffic light 30.

[0035] In addition, in the example of FIG. 3, the magnetic markers MM are provided at the points of distance Lm from the reference point SC, i.e., the same distance as in the case of the road R1, on the other roads R2 to R4, which are not exemplified as the vehicle VE other than the road R1, in the same manner as the road R1. In this case, if the traffic light 30 switches the signals symmetrically in the main direction (the direction of the roads R1 and R2) and the secondary direction (the direction of the roads R3 and R4), it is possible to provide the same traffic information in all directions. However, the distance Lm can be set in various ways. In the above, the starting point of the distance Lm is set to the reference point SC, which is the center position of the intersection SE, but the starting point of the distance Lm can be set to various ways, such as a stop line provided at the intersection SE.

[0036] Here, as described above, when providing information to the vehicle VE, spatial and temporal accuracy is highly required, especially when a short-term situation judgment is important, such as whether or not to pass through an intersection. However, before the information is actually provided, as shown in Fig. 4, the information to be provided reaches the vehicle VE via various transmission devices such as the traffic light 30, the relay unit IM, and the distribution center DC. In this case, as shown in the figure, when the vehicle VE receives the remaining display time of the green light (5.432 seconds) at the time of data generation on the traffic light 30 side (10:00:00.000, that is, exactly 10 o'clock), the reception time (10:00:02.040) has passed considerably since the data generation, and the remaining display time received from the distribution center DC cannot be used as is. In this case, the vehicle VE can make an accurate decision by subtracting the difference (2.040 seconds) between the time when the data was generated and the time when the data was received from the distribution center DC from the remaining display time of 5.432 seconds to calculate 3.492 seconds, and setting this time as the actual remaining display time. The amount of such time correction, in other words, the degree of delay associated with transmission, varies depending on various factors such as the route shown in FIG. 4 and the reception conditions. Therefore, the vehicle VE performs the above-mentioned processing by taking into account such a time difference (time lag). In other words, in this embodiment, a time difference correction function is provided that corrects the time difference that occurs from the transmission time (data generation time) of the traffic information provided by the distribution center DC as the information providing device 10 to the reception time of the traffic information at the vehicle VE.

[0037] However, in addition to the above, or as a prerequisite for the above aspect, the vehicle VE also correctly detects its own position using the magnetic marker MM, and also synchronizes the time. In order for the vehicle VE to make a decision, for example, as to whether or not it is possible to pass through the above-mentioned intersection, it is a prerequisite that it accurately detects its own current position. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the vehicle VE passes the magnetic marker MM, which serves as the absolute position reference, the vehicle VE also records the time of passing, thereby making it possible to obtain accurate information about its own position and the time at that time.

[0038] Hereinafter, various functions and operations of the vehicle VE will be mainly described with reference to the block diagram showing an example of the configuration of each part shown in Fig. 5. As described above, a typical example of the vehicle VE is an autonomous vehicle that grasps the surrounding situation and drives itself.

[0039] As shown in the figure, the vehicle VE is provided with information provided by the traffic information providing system 100 as an on-board device VD, and an example of the configuration of the on-board device VD will be described. In the example shown in the figure, the on-board device VD of the vehicle VE includes a main control unit MP including a CPU or the like, a memory unit ME including various storage devices or the like, the magnetic marker sensor MS, a communication unit CC, a self-position detection unit SD, a time setting unit TT, and the like. Although not shown or described, the vehicle VE is provided with various sensors for enabling automatic driving and driving support, and various devices for enabling operation of the brake, accelerator, steering wheel, and the like, in addition to the on-board device VD.

[0040] For example, the communication unit CC of the in-vehicle device VD communicates with the information providing device 10 in accordance with instructions from the main control unit MP to transmit and receive various information. The time setting unit TT is a clock that keeps time, and in accordance with instructions from the main control unit MP, sets the acquisition time of each piece of acquired information.

[0041] The self-position detection unit SD is composed of, for example, a GPS, an encoder, etc., to detect the self-position of the vehicle VE. The self-position is estimated by these, but it is possible that some position deviation occurs due to the radio wave reception conditions, etc. In contrast, in this embodiment, when a magnetic marker MM is detected by the magnetic marker sensor MS, for example, the self-position is determined based on the magnetic marker MM, making it possible to accurately determine the self-position, which is a prerequisite for making various judgments.

[0042] The main control unit MP acquires various information and performs control processing of various operations, such as making decisions based on the acquired information. For example, when the magnetic marker sensor MS confirms the presence of a magnetic marker MM, the main control unit MP identifies the magnetic marker MM, i.e., confirms its own position, and assigns time information to the confirmed position information by the time assignment unit TT. Meanwhile, the main control unit MP requests traffic information (information related to the remaining display time of a signal lamp, etc.) corresponding to the magnetic marker MM from the distribution center DC as the information providing device 10 via the communication unit CC. In other words, the main control unit MP functions as an information request unit IR.

[0043] Meanwhile, the information providing device 10 (distribution center DC) is provided with a traffic information processing device TP to extract (select) and provide appropriate traffic information from various traffic information α, β, γ, ... in response to a request from the vehicle-mounted device VD.

[0044] Looking at the above from another perspective, the in-vehicle device VD mounted on the vehicle VE is configured to have an information requesting device that requests the information providing device 10 (distribution center DC) to provide traffic information corresponding to the specific position SP when the magnetic marker MM serving as the vehicle position detection unit PD detects that the vehicle VE is at the specific position SP by making the main control unit MP function as an information requesting unit IR.

[0045] In addition, in the vehicle-mounted device VD, the main control unit MP also functions as a time difference correction unit TC that performs various time difference corrections, such as correction of the time difference that occurs between the transmission time of traffic information provided by the information providing device 10 (distribution center DC) and the reception time of the traffic information in the vehicle. Specifically, for example, as the above-mentioned information request unit IR, the main control unit MP requests information from the information providing device 10, and as the time difference correction unit TC, performs time correction by taking into account delays that occur due to the time it takes for the information providing device 10 to extract the relevant information and return it to the vehicle-mounted device VD, the time it takes for traffic information from a traffic light to reach the information providing device 10, etc. At this time, by using the confirmation of the self-position when passing the magnetic marker MM and the time information acquired at that time as spatial and temporal standards, correction based on accurate position and time is possible.

[0046] Furthermore, the main control unit MP functions as a driving mode determination unit JD that determines the driving mode of the vehicle VE based on the acquired information. That is, based on the acquired information as described above and further on the information corrected as necessary, the main control unit MP as the driving mode determination unit JD judges the situation of the driving destination and judges how to drive based on the judgment result.

[0047] As described above, the memory unit ME stores various pieces of acquired information and various pieces of information corrected by the in-vehicle device VD, added (processed) with timing information, etc. Specifically, the memory unit ME is provided with, for example, a magnetic marker information storage unit KD for storing information related to the magnetic marker MM, and a traffic information storage unit TD for storing information related to information acquired from the information providing device 10. In addition to the above, for example, navigation data ND for storing map information and destination information for searching for a destination and enabling navigation is stored.

[0048] The magnetic marker information storage section KD stores, for example, detection position information KD1 of the magnetic marker MM and detection time information KD2 which is information on the detection time.

[0049] The traffic information storage unit TD also stores information obtained from the information providing device 10, such as target traffic light information TD1 that identifies the traffic light corresponding to the magnetic marker MM stored in the magnetic marker information storage unit KD, and data creation time information TD2 that indicates the time when information regarding the light color created at the traffic light was generated.

[0050] The information stored in the magnetic marker information storage unit KD and the traffic information storage unit TD is used by the main control unit MP to perform the above-mentioned functions.

[0051] On the other hand, the navigation data ND stores map data ND1 required for setting a destination when performing navigation, and destination data ND2 that stores a determined destination. For example, the map data ND1 may include position information of a corresponding magnetic marker MM in addition to position information of each traffic light 30. In this case, for example, when the magnetic marker MM is detected by the magnetic marker sensor MS, the main control unit MP checks the GPS of the self-position detection unit SD and recognizes the nearest magnetic marker MM on the map as the magnetic marker MM.

[0052] In addition, in the example described with reference to Figure 3 etc., information is provided about traffic lights located immediately ahead of the magnetic marker MM, but if a destination is set, for example, information about traffic lights at further passing points may also be obtained from the information providing device 10, making it possible to make driving choices that take further into account the future.

[0053] An example of the operation of the traffic information providing system 100 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0054] First, when a magnetic marker MM installed on a road is detected by a vehicle VE, the main control unit MP of the vehicle VE, i.e., the in-vehicle device VD, acquires location information based on the magnetic marker MM and stores the acquisition time in a designated area of ​​the memory unit ME (step S101).

[0055] Next, the main control unit MP requests the information providing device 10 (distribution center DC) for signal information (data generation time, remaining seconds for light color), that is, a request for information regarding the remaining display time of the signal lamps, etc. (step S102).

[0056] Thereafter, when the main control unit MP receives a reply from the information providing device 10 in response to the request in step S102 (step S103), the main control unit MP, as the driving mode determination unit JD, performs a determination process based on the received information (step S104) and performs vehicle control according to the determination result in step S104 (step S105). Note that the determination in step S104 determines whether to stop or pass through the intersection where the relevant traffic light is located, based on the relationship between the vehicle position at each point in time described above and the actual remaining display time of the signal lamp, as well as the vehicle speed at that point in time. However, at this time, the determination may also take into account, for example, the light color status of traffic lights further ahead than the relevant traffic light.

[0057] FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of traffic information data to be transmitted when the traffic information providing system 100 as described above provides information.

[0058] As shown in the figure, the information transmitted includes traffic light identification information SS1, which is a header for identifying the relevant traffic light, as well as substantive content, i.e., data generation time SS2 indicating the time when the data was created (generated) at the relevant traffic light, and traffic light scheduled information time SS3, such as the remaining seconds for the light color, which indicates the remaining display time for the light color (blue) at the signal light.

[0059] As described above, the traffic information providing system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a vehicle position detection unit PD that is fixedly installed and detects that a vehicle VE is at a specific position SP, and an information providing device 10 that provides traffic information in front of the specific position SP detected by the vehicle position detection unit PD to the vehicle VE. Thereby, in the traffic information providing system 100, by using the fixedly installed vehicle position detection unit PD, it is possible to simply and surely detect the self-position on the vehicle VE side. Based on the position detection, the information providing device 10 provides traffic information in front of that position to the vehicle VE, so that the traffic information necessary for the vehicle VE to judge the situation ahead while driving can be provided at an appropriate timing.

[0060] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 8, a modification example of the installation of the magnetic marker MM as the vehicle position detection unit PD will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3. In an example of FIG. 8, it is different from the case of FIG. 3 in that the magnetic marker MM is provided at a plurality of locations with different distances from the reference point. Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 8, in addition to installing the magnetic marker MM at a point at a distance L from the reference point SC as in the case of FIG. 3, for example, on the road R1, a separate magnetic marker MMα is also installed at a point at a distance Lα (<L) different from the distance L. Thereby, for example, determination in two steps becomes possible. Similarly, it is also conceivable to install more magnetic markers MM as the vehicle position detection unit PD along the traveling direction indicated by the arrow RD1.

[0061] Although the description and explanation of the other roads R2 to R4 are omitted, it is possible to have the same configuration as in the case of the road R1, or it is also possible to have a different configuration.

[0062] 〔Second Embodiment〕 Hereinafter, an example of the traffic information providing system according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. The traffic information providing system 200 according to this embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, except for the manner in which traffic information is transmitted from the information providing device 10 and the manner in which traffic information is acquired on the vehicle VE side, so that the overall configuration of the traffic information providing system 200 will not be described or illustrated.

[0063] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the traffic information providing system 100 according to this embodiment, and corresponds to FIG.

[0064] In this embodiment, first, each piece of traffic information α, β, γ... held in the information providing device 10 (distribution center DC) is constantly distributed. That is, the information providing device 10 performs one-way information distribution (non-stop distribution), and the vehicle VE side can obtain the necessary information by receiving this information.

[0065] On the other hand, on the vehicle VE side, the in-vehicle device VD includes a main control unit MP, a memory unit ME, a magnetic marker sensor MS, a communication unit CC, a self-position detection unit SD, a time setting unit TT, etc., as in the case illustrated in Fig. 5. Among these, the main control unit MP acquires each piece of traffic information α, β, γ... from the information providing device 10 via the communication unit CC at any time and stores it in the memory unit ME, and also functions as a traffic information acquisition unit (traffic information selection unit) GS that selects necessary information from the acquired information in response to confirmation of the presence of a magnetic marker MM by the magnetic marker sensor MS.

[0066] The main control unit MP also functions as a time difference correction unit TC that performs various time difference corrections, as in the case illustrated in Fig. 5. In this case, the time difference correction unit TC corrects the time difference between the current time and the information provision time included in the information acquired by the traffic information acquisition unit (traffic information selection unit) GS.

[0067] Furthermore, the main control unit MP functions as a driving mode determination unit JD that determines the driving mode of the vehicle VE based on the acquired information. In this case, it can be said that the main control unit MP functions as a driving adjustment unit DA that adjusts the driving of the vehicle VE based on the information acquired as a traffic information acquisition unit (traffic information selection unit) GS. In other words, when considered as a driving adjustment unit DA, the driving mode determination unit JD determines the adjustment content based on the result of correcting the time difference in the time difference correction unit TC.

[0068] From a different perspective, the on-board device VD mounted on the vehicle VE is configured to include a traffic information acquisition device that selects and acquires information corresponding to the traveling condition of the vehicle VE from the traffic information provided by the information providing device 10 (distribution center DC) when the magnetic marker MM as the vehicle position detection unit PD detects that the vehicle VE is at a specific position SP by making the main control unit MP function as a traffic information acquisition unit (traffic information selection unit) GS. Also, by making the main control unit MP function as a traveling adjustment unit DA, the on-board device VD is configured to include a traveling adjustment device that adjusts the traveling of the vehicle based on the information acquired by the traffic information acquisition device. In this case, the traveling adjustment device determines the adjustment content based on the result of correcting the time difference between the current time and the information provision time included in the information acquired by the traffic information acquisition device.

[0069] As described above, in this embodiment as well, the vehicle VE can easily and reliably detect its own position by using the fixedly installed vehicle position detection unit PD, and based on the detected position, the information providing device 10 provides the vehicle VE with traffic information ahead of the position, thereby providing traffic information necessary for the vehicle VE to judge future conditions as it travels at an appropriate timing. In particular, in this embodiment, the corresponding information is selected from the information distributed by the information providing device 10, and the necessary time correction or the like is performed on the selected information, thereby making it possible to achieve the purpose.

[0070] 〔others〕 The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0071] First, as an example of the vehicle position detection unit PD, a magnetic marker MM made of a magnetic material is buried in the road, but it is not limited to buried magnetic markers, and various magnetic markers can be used as the vehicle position detection unit PD. For example, a magnetic marker that is attached to the road surface may be used as the vehicle position detection unit PD, or the vehicle position detection unit PD (magnetic marker MM) may be formed by applying paint mixed with granular magnetic material to the road surface.

[0072] Also, various settings are possible for the magnetic force of the magnetic marker MM. By changing the magnetic force, the change in the magnetic flux density detected by the magnetic marker sensor MS on the vehicle VE side changes, and it is possible to detect different types of magnetic markers MM on the vehicle VE. This can be used to identify, for example, where the magnetic marker MM is installed. For example, in the case illustrated in FIG. 8, it is possible to distinguish between the magnetic marker MM and the magnetic marker MMα on the vehicle VE side by making the magnetic forces different.

[0073] In addition to the above, the vehicle position detection unit PD may be configured using electromagnetic waves with high directivity (for example, infrared light or microwaves, etc.), as shown in a modified example in Fig. 10(A) and Fig. 10(B). Specifically, as shown in Fig. 10(A), a transmitting antenna AT is installed at a certain height, and electromagnetic waves EW with high directivity are transmitted toward the specific position SP. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 10(B), a receiver RV capable of receiving the electromagnetic waves EW is provided on the vehicle VE side, and the vehicle VE can know that it is at the specific position SP by receiving the electromagnetic waves EW from the transmitting antenna AT when passing the specific position SP. Note that the transmitting antenna AT can transmit the electromagnetic waves EW in various ways, such as intermittent transmission, as long as detection on the vehicle VE side is ensured.

[0074] Furthermore, the vehicle position detection unit PD may be configured to include, for example, an RFID tag. In this case, the vehicle position detection unit PD may provide information for identifying itself to the vehicle VE.

[0075] In the above example, the information from each traffic light is once collected at the control center and then distributed, i.e., by a centralized control device controlled by instructions from the control center, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to use a local control device that controls only the intersection. Specifically, the present application may be applied to a method in which each traffic light installed at an intersection directly transmits information about itself to a vehicle. In other words, when the vehicle passes through the vehicle position detection unit PD, information may be directly acquired between the corresponding traffic light 30 and the vehicle VE.

[0076] In addition, while the example in Figure 2 shows one (single) control center 50 and one (single) relay unit IM, it is also possible that there are multiple control centers 50, for example, in each prefecture, and accordingly, there are multiple relay units IM, and necessary information is transmitted between them. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 10...information providing device, 20...control device, 30, 30A, 30B, 30C...traffic signal, 50...control center, 100...traffic information providing system, 200...traffic information providing system, AT...transmitting antenna, CC...communication unit, DA...driving adjustment unit, DC...distribution center, EW...electromagnetic wave, GS...traffic information acquisition unit (traffic information selection unit), IM...relay unit, IR...information request unit, JD...driving mode determination unit, KD...magnetic marker information storage unit, KD1...detection position information, KD2...detection time information, L, Lα...distance, ME...memory unit, MM, MMα...magnetic marker, MP...main control unit, MS...magnetic marker sensor, ND ...navigation data, ND1...map data, ND2...destination data, PD, PDa, PDb, PDc...vehicle position detection unit, R1 to R4...road, RD1...arrow, RS...road surface, RV...receiver, SC...reference point, SD...self-position detection unit, SE...intersection, SP...specific position, SS1...traffic light identification information, SS2...data generation time, SS3...traffic light schedule information time, TC...time difference correction unit, TD...traffic information storage unit, TD1...target traffic light information, TD2...data creation time information, TL...signal lamp, TP...traffic information processing device, TT...time assignment unit, VD...vehicle-mounted device, VE...vehicle, α, β, γ...traffic information

Claims

1. A plurality of information providing devices for providing traffic information to affiliated vehicles; a control center that distributes aggregated information about signal lamps installed in various locations to the plurality of information providing devices; a vehicle position detection unit that is fixedly installed and causes a vehicle to detect that the vehicle is at a specific position; Equipped with A traffic information providing system in which one of the plurality of information providing devices provides an affiliated vehicle with information about signal lamps that are located further ahead than a specific position detected by the affiliated vehicle by the vehicle position detection unit.

2. 2. The traffic information providing system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle position detection unit includes a magnetic marker provided on a road.

3. 3. The traffic information providing system according to claim 1, further comprising a time difference correction device that corrects the time difference occurring from the transmission time of traffic information indicating the display time of a traffic light provided to an affiliated vehicle as traffic light information from the one information providing device to the affiliated vehicle to the reception time of the traffic information at the affiliated vehicle.

4. The traffic information providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a traffic information acquisition device mounted in an affiliated vehicle of one of the information providing devices, which, when the affiliated vehicle detects that the affiliated vehicle is present at a specific location using the vehicle position detection unit, selects and acquires information corresponding to the driving conditions of the affiliated vehicle from among information on signal lamps provided by the one of the information providing devices.

5. a travel adjustment device mounted in an affiliated vehicle of the one information providing device and adjusting travel of the affiliated vehicle based on information acquired by the traffic information acquisition device; The traffic information providing system according to claim 4 , wherein the driving adjustment device determines the adjustment content based on a result of correcting a time difference between a current time and an information provision time included in the information acquired by the traffic information acquisition device.

6. an information requesting device that is mounted in an affiliated vehicle of the one information providing device, and that requests the one information providing device to provide traffic information corresponding to the specific location when the affiliated vehicle detects that the affiliated vehicle is present at the specific location by the vehicle position detecting unit; a traffic information processing device provided in the one information providing device and configured to extract traffic information in response to a request from the information request device; The traffic information providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:

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