In-vehicle device

Abstract

To suppress a wrong guidance to change a traffic line even when the current congestion information acquired by an in-vehicle device is not accurate.SOLUTION: An in-vehicle device 10 equipped in a vehicle has a control unit 15 having a function of acquiring congestion information of each traffic line of a road having a plurality of traffic lines and guiding a vehicle to another traffic line on the basis of the acquired congestion information. The control unit 15 cancels the function when the vehicle travels within a predetermined section from an exit of the road in the first traffic line leading to the exit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an in-vehicle device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a navigation method for performing navigation control by identifying which lane is congested in a highway link where one lane is connected to a highway exit, such as a two-lane highway.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the case of a system that acquires current traffic congestion information from a server, due to a time lag caused by information processing in the server or the like, accurate information such as the leading position of the congestion may not always be provided. When such a situation occurs near an exit of a highway or the like, there is a possibility that the vehicle may not be able to get off the exit due to incorrect lane change guidance.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to suppress incorrect lane change guidance even when the current traffic congestion information acquired by the in-vehicle device is inaccurate.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The in-vehicle device according to the present disclosure is an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, comprising a control unit that acquires traffic congestion information for each lane on a road having a plurality of lanes and has a function of guiding the vehicle to another lane based on the acquired traffic congestion information. When the vehicle travels within a predetermined section from the exit in the first lane leading to the exit from the road, the control unit releases the function.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, even when the current traffic jam information acquired by the in-vehicle device is inaccurate, it is possible to suppress incorrect lane change guidance.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] The background and problems of the prior art will be described in more detail.

[0010] FIG. 3 is FIG. 1 for explaining the background and problems of the prior art. FIG. 4 is FIG. 2 for explaining the background and problems of the prior art. In the examples shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the vehicle travels in a lane leading to an IC exit where it is planned to get off among a plurality of lanes on a highway as an example. "IC" is an abbreviation for Interchange. Assume that a traffic jam occurs while the vehicle is traveling in the lane. FIG. 3 shows a case where the leading position of the traffic jam is before the branch point to the IC exit where the vehicle is planned to get off. FIG. 4 shows a case where the leading position of the traffic jam is beyond the branch point. At this time, the driver driving the vehicle wants to utilize the traffic jam information for each lane provided to the vehicle from the traffic control center to avoid traffic jams for each lane and improve the fuel efficiency of the vehicle.

[0011] In steps S1 of FIGS. 3 and 4, information indicating that the vehicle speed is slow and traffic congestion has occurred is notified to the traffic control center from the vehicles caught in the traffic congestion among the plurality of vehicles traveling in the lane. In step S2, the traffic control center detects traffic congestion on the highway, identifies the leading position and the trailing position of the traffic congestion, etc., and generates traffic congestion information including these. In step S3, the traffic control center travels behind the traffic congestion in the lane and notifies the vehicles that are not caught in the traffic congestion of the occurrence of traffic congestion ahead in the lane based on the generated traffic congestion information. In step S4, the vehicles traveling behind the traffic congestion in the lane change lanes based on the traffic congestion information obtained from the traffic control center to avoid the traffic congestion. In step S5, after the vehicle changes lanes to avoid the traffic congestion, it attempts to move to the original lane in order to get off at the IC exit.

[0012] In the flow as described above, it takes time for traffic congestion to occur on the highway, for the traffic control center to detect the traffic congestion and generate traffic congestion information, and for the traffic control center to distribute the traffic congestion information to the vehicles, and there may be a divergence between the actual situation and the distributed traffic congestion information. For example, information such as the presence or absence of traffic congestion and the trailing position of the traffic congestion included in the distributed traffic congestion information may be different from the actual situation. As a result, there is a possibility that the vehicle may not be able to get off at the IC exit due to incorrect lane change guidance.

[0013] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, it is also assumed that traffic congestion information indicating that the leading position of the actual traffic congestion is in front of the branch point to the IC exit where the vehicle is trying to get off is distributed from the traffic control center, even though the leading position of the actual traffic congestion is further ahead than the branch point. At this time, although the vehicle changes lanes to avoid the traffic congestion, it may not be able to return to the original lane by the time it reaches the branch point, and as a result, a situation may occur where the vehicle cannot get off at the IC exit.

[0014] In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an in-vehicle device that can suppress the above-described incorrect lane change guidance even when the current traffic jam information acquired by the in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle from the traffic control center is inaccurate.

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

[0016] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system 1 including an in-vehicle device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. With reference to FIG. 1, an overview of the information processing system 1 including the in-vehicle device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be mainly described. The information processing system 1 includes an information processing device 20 in addition to the in-vehicle device 10. The in-vehicle device 10 is mounted on a vehicle.

[0017] In FIG. 1, for simplicity of explanation, only one in-vehicle device 10 is shown, and it is assumed that there is one vehicle on which the in-vehicle device 10 is mounted and included in the information processing system 1, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The number of in-vehicle devices 10 included in the information processing system 1 may be two or more. That is, when one in-vehicle device 10 is mounted on one vehicle, the number of vehicles included in the information processing system 1 may be two or more.

[0018] In FIG. 1, for simplicity of explanation, only one information processing device 20 is shown, but the number of information processing devices 20 included in the information processing system 1 may be two or more.

[0019] Each of the in-vehicle device 10 and the information processing device 20 is communicably connected to a network 30 including a mobile communication network and the Internet.

[0020] The in-vehicle device 10 is a device that controls the running of the vehicle on which it is mounted or supports the driver in driving the vehicle. As an overview of one embodiment, the in-vehicle device 10 acquires traffic jam information for each lane on a road having a plurality of lanes. In the present disclosure, "road" includes, for example, highways and general roads dedicated to automobiles. "Traffic jam information" includes, for example, information such as the presence or absence of a traffic jam, the distance of the traffic jam, and the start position and end position of the traffic jam. The traffic jam information may include, in addition to the current first information, second information on the same day of the week and the same time in the past.

[0021] The in-vehicle device 10 has a function of guiding the vehicle to another lane based on the acquired traffic jam information. When the vehicle travels within a predetermined section from the exit in the first lane leading to the exit from the road, the in-vehicle device 10 releases this function.

[0022] The vehicle is, for example, any type of automobile such as a gasoline vehicle, a diesel vehicle, a hydrogen vehicle, an HEV, a PHEV, a BEV, or an FCEV. "HEV" is an abbreviation for Hybrid Electric Vehicle. "PHEV" is an abbreviation for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle. "BEV" is an abbreviation for Battery Electric Vehicle. "FCEV" is an abbreviation for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle. The vehicle may be an AV, may be driven by a driver, or may have its driving automated at any level. "AV" is an abbreviation for Autonomous Vehicle. The level of automation is, for example, any one of levels 1 to 5 in the SAE level classification. "SAE" is the abbreviation of Society of Automotive Engineers. The vehicle may be a vehicle dedicated to MaaS. "MaaS" is an abbreviation for Mobility as a Service.

[0023] The information processing device 20 is managed by a traffic control center that distributes traffic information including traffic jam information and the like to vehicles. The information processing device 20 is one or a plurality of server devices capable of communicating with each other. The information processing device 20 is not limited thereto, and may be a mobile device such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a tablet, or any general-purpose electronic device such as a PC, or may be another electronic device dedicated to the information processing system 1. "PC" is an abbreviation for Personal Computer.

[0024] With reference to FIG. 1, an example of the configuration of each of the in-vehicle device 10 and the information processing device 20 included in the information processing system 1 will be mainly described.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the in-vehicle device 10 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, an output unit 13, an acquisition unit 14, and a control unit 15.

[0026] The communication unit 11 includes a communication interface that is communicably connected to the network 30. The communication interface includes, for example, an interface corresponding to DSRC, ETC2.0, or an optical beacon. "DSRC" is an abbreviation for Dedicated Short Range Communications. "ETC" is an abbreviation for Electronic Toll Collection System. In addition, the communication interface may include, for example, an interface corresponding to a wired LAN communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark), a wireless LAN communication standard such as IEEE802.11, or a mobile communication standard such as LTE, 4G standard, or 5G standard. "LAN" is an abbreviation for Local Area Network. "IEEE" is an abbreviation for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. "LTE" is an abbreviation for Long Term Evolution. "4G" is an abbreviation for 4th Generation. "5G" is an abbreviation for 5th Generation. In one embodiment, the in-vehicle device 10 is communicably connected to the network 30 via the communication unit 11. The communication unit 11 receives data used for the operation of the in-vehicle device 10 via the network 30 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the in-vehicle device 10.

[0027] The storage unit 12 includes, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, or any combination thereof. The storage unit 12 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores data used for the operation of the in-vehicle device 10 and data obtained by the operation of the in-vehicle device 10. For example, the storage unit 12 stores a system program, an application program, and various data received or transmitted by the communication unit 11. The data stored in the storage unit 12 may be updated, for example, by data received from the network 30 via the communication unit 11.

[0028] The output unit 13 includes an output interface that outputs information to passengers including the driver in the vehicle cabin of the vehicle. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. "LCD" is an abbreviation for Liquid Crystal Display. "EL" is an abbreviation for Electro Luminescent. The output interface may constitute a part of the car navigation device. The output unit 13 outputs, for example, information obtained by the operation of the in-vehicle device 10 by at least one of an image and sound.

[0029] The acquisition unit 14 includes one or more receivers corresponding to an arbitrary satellite positioning system. For example, the acquisition unit 14 includes a GPS receiver. "GPS" is an abbreviation for Global Positioning System. The acquisition unit 14 acquires a measurement value of the position of the vehicle on which the in-vehicle device 10 is mounted as position information. The position information includes, for example, an address, latitude, longitude, and altitude. The acquisition unit 14 may constantly acquire the position information of the vehicle, or may acquire it periodically or non-periodically.

[0030] The control unit 15 includes a processor, a programmable circuit, an application-specific circuit, or any combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or a GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing. "CPU" is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit. "GPU" is an abbreviation for Graphics Processing Unit. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA. "FPGA" is an abbreviation for Field-Programmable Gate Array. The application-specific circuit is, for example, an ASIC. "ASIC" is an abbreviation for Application Specific Integrated Circuit. The control unit 15 may include, for example, an ECU. "ECU" is an abbreviation for Electronic Control Unit. The control unit 15 is communicably connected to each component constituting the in-vehicle device 10, and executes processing related to the operation of the in-vehicle device 10 while controlling each component.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 20 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23.

[0032] The communication unit 21 includes a communication interface that is communicably connected to the network 30. The communication interface includes, for example, an interface corresponding to a wired LAN communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark), a wireless LAN communication standard such as IEEE802.11, or a mobile communication standard such as LTE, 4G standard, or 5G standard. In one embodiment, the information processing apparatus 20 is communicably connected to the network 30 via the communication unit 21. The communication unit 21 receives data used for the operation of the information processing apparatus 20 via the network 30 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the information processing apparatus 20.

[0033] The storage unit 22 includes, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, or any combination thereof. The storage unit 22 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores data used for the operation of the information processing apparatus 20 and data obtained by the operation of the information processing apparatus 20. For example, the storage unit 22 stores a system program, an application program, and various data received or transmitted by the communication unit 21. The data stored in the storage unit 22 may be updated, for example, by data received from the network 30 via the communication unit 21.

[0034] The control unit 23 includes a processor, a programmable circuit, an application-specific circuit, or any combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or a GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA. The application-specific circuit is, for example, an ASIC. The control unit 23 is communicably connected to each component constituting the information processing apparatus 20 and executes processing related to the operation of the information processing apparatus 20 while controlling each component.

[0035] The control unit 23 receives, via the communication unit 21, information indicating that the vehicle speed is slow and a traffic jam has occurred from a vehicle caught in the traffic jam among a plurality of vehicles traveling in the first lane. The control unit 23 detects a traffic jam on the road based on the information acquired via the communication unit 21. The control unit 23 identifies the start position and the end position of the traffic jam, etc., and generates traffic jam information including these. The control unit 23 travels behind the traffic jam in the first lane and notifies, via the communication unit 21, a vehicle traveling in the first lane and not caught in the traffic jam that a traffic jam has occurred ahead in the first lane based on the generated traffic jam information.

[0036] The network 30 includes the Internet, a WAN, a MAN, or any combination thereof. "WAN" is an abbreviation for Wide Area Network. "MAN" is an abbreviation for Metropolitan Area Network. The network 30 may include a wireless network, an optical network, or any combination thereof. The wireless network is, for example, an ad hoc network, a cellular network, a wireless LAN, a satellite communication network, or a terrestrial microwave network.

[0037] FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an example of an information processing method executed by the in-vehicle device 10 of FIG. 1. With reference to FIG. 2, an example of the information processing method executed by the in-vehicle device 10 of FIG. 1 will be described. The processes shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2 are repeatedly executed while the vehicle on which the in-vehicle device 10 is mounted is traveling.

[0038] In step S100, the control unit 15 of the in-vehicle device 10 acquires traffic jam information for each lane on a road having a plurality of lanes. For example, when the vehicle on which the in-vehicle device 10 is mounted is traveling within the information distribution area by the traffic control center that manages the information processing device 20, the control unit 15 receives the traffic jam information from the information processing device 20 via the network 30 and the communication unit 11. The traffic jam information is simultaneously distributed by the traffic control center to a plurality of vehicles traveling. The control unit 15 stores the traffic jam information acquired in step S100 in the storage unit 12.

[0039] In step S101, the control unit 15 of the in-vehicle device 10 determines whether the vehicle is traveling within a predetermined section from the exit on the first lane leading to the exit from the road. For example, the control unit 15 calculates the traveling position of the vehicle on which the in-vehicle device 10 is mounted based on the position information acquired by the acquisition unit 14 of the in-vehicle device 10, and executes the determination process of step S101.

[0040] The control unit 15 of the in-vehicle device 10 reads out the second information among the traffic jam information acquired in step S100 from the storage unit 12. The control unit 15 calculates a predetermined section by multiplying a predetermined ratio by the maximum distance from the exit of the traffic jam obtained based on the read second information. For example, the predetermined section is calculated by a 90th percentile value or the like with respect to the past actual value of the maximum distance from the exit of the traffic jam obtained based on the second information. For example, in step S101, the control unit 15 determines whether the vehicle is traveling within x (km) from the exit on the first lane leading to the exit from the road.

[0041] When the control unit 15 of the in-vehicle device 10 determines that the vehicle is traveling within the predetermined section, it executes the process of step S102. When the control unit 15 determines that the vehicle is not traveling within the predetermined section, that is, is traveling outside the predetermined section, it executes the process of step S103.

[0042] In step S102, when the vehicle is traveling within the predetermined section on the first lane leading to the exit from the road, the control unit 15 of the in-vehicle device 10 cancels the guidance function. In the present disclosure, the "guidance function" includes, for example, a function of guiding the vehicle to another lane based on the traffic jam information acquired in step S100. The control unit 15 has the guidance function and normally exhibits the guidance function, but when it is determined in step S101 that the vehicle is traveling within the predetermined section, it turns off the guidance function. At this time, the control unit 15 may output, as information via the output unit 13, that the guidance function has been turned off and the reason therefor, and notify the passengers in the vehicle compartment of the vehicle.

[0043] In step S103, the control unit 15 of the in-vehicle device 10 determines whether or not there is a traffic jam in the first lane leading to the exit from the road. For example, the control unit 15 reads out the first information among the traffic jam information acquired in step S100 from the storage unit 12. The control unit 15 determines whether or not a traffic jam has occurred on the way to the exit in the first lane based on the read first information. The control unit 15 determines whether or not a traffic jam has occurred at an arbitrary position between the current position of the vehicle in the first lane and the exit based on the read first information.

[0044] When the control unit 15 of the in-vehicle device 10 determines that there is a traffic jam in the first lane, it executes the process of step S104. When the control unit 15 determines that there is no traffic jam in the first lane, it executes the process of step S105.

[0045] In step S104, when the control unit 15 of the in-vehicle device 10 determines in step S103 based on the first information that a traffic jam has occurred on the way to the exit in the first lane, it guides the vehicle traveling outside the predetermined section from the first lane to the second lane. In the present disclosure, the "second lane" is, for example, a lane different from the first lane, and may be a lane adjacent to the first lane by one, or may be a lane adjacent to the first lane by two or more. The control unit 15 exhibits the above-described guiding function in step S104.

[0046] For example, the control unit 15 may prompt the driver driving the vehicle to change lanes from the first lane to the second lane via the output unit 13. For example, the control unit 15 may control the travel of the vehicle with automated driving so that the vehicle changes lanes from the first lane to the second lane.

[0047] In step S105, the control unit 15 of the in-vehicle device 10 determines whether or not traffic congestion has occurred in the past in the first lane leading to the exit from the road. For example, the control unit 15 reads out the second information among the traffic congestion information acquired in step S100 from the storage unit 12. The control unit 15 determines whether or not traffic congestion has occurred in the past from the middle of the first lane toward the exit based on the read second information. The control unit 15 determines whether or not traffic congestion has occurred in the past at an arbitrary position between the current position of the vehicle in the first lane and the exit based on the read second information.

[0048] When the control unit 15 of the in-vehicle device 10 determines that traffic congestion has occurred in the past in the first lane, it executes the process of step S104. When the control unit 15 determines that traffic congestion has not occurred in the past in the first lane, it executes the process of step S100 again.

[0049] In step S104, even if the control unit 15 of the in-vehicle device 10 determines in step S103 based on the first information that traffic congestion has not occurred from the middle of the first lane toward the exit, and determines in step S105 based on the second information that traffic congestion has occurred in the past, it guides the vehicle traveling outside the predetermined section from the first lane to the second lane. The control unit 15 exhibits the above-described guiding function in step S104.

[0050] For example, the control unit 15 may prompt the driver driving the vehicle to change lanes from the first lane to the second lane via the output unit 13. For example, the control unit 15 may control the traveling of the vehicle with automated driving so that the vehicle changes lanes from the first lane to the second lane.

[0051] In step S106, the control unit 15 of the in-vehicle device 10 determines, for example, whether or not the engine of the vehicle equipped with the in-vehicle device 10 has stopped and the traveling has ended. When the control unit 15 determines that the traveling has ended, it ends the process. When the control unit 15 determines that the traveling has not ended, it executes the process of step S100 again.

[0052] According to the in-vehicle device 10 according to the above-described embodiment, even when the current traffic jam information acquired by the in-vehicle device 10 is inaccurate, it is possible to suppress incorrect lane change guidance. When the vehicle travels within a predetermined section from the exit on the first lane leading to the exit from the road, the in-vehicle device 10 releases the guidance function. As a result, regardless of whether or not a traffic jam has occurred so as to block the exit in the actual situation, lane changes are avoided for the vehicle traveling within the predetermined section. Even if the leading position of the traffic jam included in the traffic jam information distributed from the traffic control center is erroneously set, the vehicle is not guided to another second lane while traveling on the first lane. As a result, the in-vehicle device 10 can suppress the vehicle from being unable to return to the first lane after the lane change and passing through the exit.

[0053] The in-vehicle device 10 releases the guidance function for avoiding traffic jams in a predetermined case in consideration of the influence on the vehicle route plan due to the inability to return to the original first lane. Even when the leading position and the trailing position of the traffic jam change significantly immediately after the traffic jam occurs, the in-vehicle device 10 can suppress a situation where the vehicle cannot return to the first lane by the time it reaches the exit, regardless of the deviation between the traffic jam information from the traffic control center and the actual situation.

[0054] The in-vehicle device 10 can more accurately exert the function of guiding the vehicle to another lane based on two pieces of information, the current and the past, by acquiring traffic jam information including the current first information and the second information on the same day of the week and at the same time in the past. For example, even if it seems from the first information received from the traffic control center that no traffic jam has occurred, if the occurrence of a traffic jam is indicated by the second information in the past, there is a possibility that the first information deviates from the actual situation and a traffic jam is currently occurring. Thus, even when the current traffic jam information acquired by the in-vehicle device 10 from the information processing device 20, that is, the first information, is inaccurate, the in-vehicle device 10 can more appropriately exert the guidance function based on the second information as well.

[0055] When the in-vehicle device 10 determines based on the first information that a traffic jam has occurred while the vehicle is on the first lane and on the way to the exit, it guides a vehicle traveling outside the predetermined section from the first lane to the second lane. Thereby, when the first information matches the actual situation and a traffic jam actually occurs on the first lane, the in-vehicle device 10 enables the vehicle to avoid the traffic jam on the first lane. Even when the first information deviates from the actual situation and no traffic jam actually occurs on the first lane, it is easy for the vehicle to return to the first lane after the lane change and get off at the exit.

[0056] Even when the in-vehicle device 10 determines based on the first information that no traffic jam has occurred while the vehicle is on the first lane and on the way to the exit, but determines based on the second information that a traffic jam has occurred in the past, it guides a vehicle traveling outside the predetermined section from the first lane to the second lane. Thereby, when the first information deviates from the actual situation and a traffic jam actually occurs on the first lane, the in-vehicle device 10 enables the vehicle to avoid the traffic jam on the first lane. Even when the first information matches the actual situation and no traffic jam actually occurs on the first lane, it is easy for the vehicle to return to the first lane after the lane change and get off at the exit.

[0057] The in-vehicle device 10 calculates a predetermined section by multiplying a predetermined ratio by the maximum distance from the exit of the traffic jam obtained based on the second information. Thereby, the in-vehicle device 10 can more appropriately calculate a predetermined section where the guidance function should be turned off based on past performance data. For example, if the predetermined section is longer than necessary, the guidance function of the in-vehicle device 10 may not be appropriately exerted. Conversely, if the predetermined section is shorter than necessary, although the vehicle changes lanes to avoid a traffic jam, it may not be able to return to the original first lane by the time it reaches the branch point to the exit, and as a result, it is likely to occur that the vehicle cannot get off at the exit. The in-vehicle device 10 can more appropriately calculate the predetermined section so as to suppress these problems.

[0058] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and embodiments, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, functions included in each component or each step, etc., can be rearranged so as not to be logically contradictory, and a plurality of components or steps, etc., can be combined into one or divided. Instead of executing two or more steps described in the flowchart in chronological order according to the description, each step can be executed in parallel or in a different order according to the processing capacity of the device that executes each step, or as necessary. In addition, changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0059] For example, at least some of the processing operations executed in the in-vehicle device 10 in the above-described embodiment may be executed in the information processing device 20. For example, instead of the in-vehicle device 10, the information processing device 20 itself may execute the above-described series of processing operations related to the in-vehicle device 10. In this case, the information processing device 20 executes each step in the above flowchart while transmitting and receiving information necessary for the processing to and from the in-vehicle device 10.

[0060] Conversely, at least some of the processing operations executed in the information processing device 20 may be executed in the in-vehicle device 10.

[0061] For example, a configuration that enables a general-purpose electronic device such as a smartphone or a computer to function as the in-vehicle device 10 according to the above-described embodiment is also possible. Specifically, a program describing the processing content for realizing each function of the in-vehicle device 10 according to the embodiment is stored in the memory of the electronic device, and the program is read out and executed by the processor of the electronic device. Therefore, the disclosure according to one embodiment can also be realized as a program executable by a processor.

[0062] Alternatively, the disclosure according to one embodiment can also be realized as a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a program executable by one or more processors to cause an in-vehicle device 10 or the like according to the embodiment to execute each function. It should be understood that these are also included in the scope of the present disclosure.

[0063] The program can be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The non-transitory computer-readable medium is, for example, a flash memory, a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a ROM. "ROM" is an abbreviation for Read Only Memory. The distribution of the program is performed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending a portable medium such as an SD card, a DVD, or a CD-ROM storing the program. "SD" is an abbreviation for Secure Digital. "DVD" is an abbreviation for Digital Versatile Disc. "CD-ROM" is an abbreviation for Compact Disc Read Only Memory. The program may be stored in the storage of a server and distributed by being transferred from the server to other computers. The program may be provided as a program product.

[0064] A computer stores, for example, a program stored in a portable medium or a program transferred from a server in a main memory device once. Then, the computer reads the program stored in the main memory device with a processor and executes processing according to the read program with the processor. The computer may directly read a program from a portable medium and execute processing according to the program. The computer may sequentially execute processing according to the received program each time a program is transferred from a server to the computer. Processing may be executed by a so-called ASP type service that realizes functions only by execution instructions and result acquisition without transferring a program from a server to a computer. "ASP" is an abbreviation for Application Service Provider. A program includes information for use in processing by an electronic computer and things conforming to the program. For example, data that is not a direct instruction to a computer but has a property that defines the processing of the computer corresponds to "things conforming to the program".

[0065] Some or all functions of in-vehicle device 10 may be realized by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit as control unit 15. That is, some or all functions of in-vehicle device 10 may be realized by hardware.

[0066] In the above embodiment, it was described that control unit 15 of in-vehicle device 10 acquires traffic jam information including current first information and second information at the same day of the week and the same time in the past, but it is not limited thereto. Control unit 15 of in-vehicle device 10 may acquire traffic jam information including only one of the first information and the second information.

[0067] In the above embodiment, it was described that when control unit 15 of in-vehicle device 10 determines based on the first information that a traffic jam has occurred while going toward an exit in the first lane, it guides a vehicle traveling outside a predetermined section from the first lane to the second lane, but it is not limited thereto. Control unit 15 of in-vehicle device 10 may guide a vehicle from the first lane to the second lane based on, in addition to the presence or absence of a traffic jam, also the end position of the traffic jam further included in the first information.

[0068] For example, when the control unit 15 determines that the end position of the traffic jam is on the vehicle side of a predetermined reference position and the distance of the traffic jam is long, the control unit 15 may guide the vehicle from the first lane to the second lane. Conversely, when the control unit 15 determines that the end position of the traffic jam is on the exit side of a predetermined reference position and the distance of the traffic jam is short, the control unit 15 may not guide the vehicle from the first lane to the second lane.

[0069] The control unit 15 may determine whether to guide the vehicle from the first lane to the second lane while referring to the end position of the past traffic jam included in the second information in addition to or instead of the end position of the traffic jam included in the first information.

[0070] In the above embodiment, it has been described that when the control unit 15 of the in-vehicle device 10 determines based on the first information that no traffic jam has occurred on the way to the exit in the first lane, but determines based on the second information that a traffic jam has occurred in the past, the control unit 15 guides a vehicle traveling outside the predetermined section from the first lane to the second lane, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in a case where traffic jam information including only the first information is acquired, the control unit 15 may not execute processing based on the second information.

[0071] In the above embodiment, it has been described that the control unit 15 of the in-vehicle device 10 calculates a predetermined section by multiplying a predetermined ratio by the maximum distance from the exit of the traffic jam obtained based on the second information, but the present invention is not limited to this. The control unit 15 may determine the predetermined section based on a value of the distance from the exit set by a user including the driver.

[0072] Some embodiments of the present disclosure are exemplified below. However, it should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to these. [Appendix 1] An in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, comprising a control unit that acquires traffic jam information for each lane on a road having a plurality of lanes and guides the vehicle to another lane based on the acquired traffic jam information. When the vehicle travels within a predetermined section from the exit on the first lane connected to the exit leading out of the road, the control unit releases the function. In-vehicle device. [Appendix 2] The in-vehicle device according to Appendix 1, The control unit acquires the traffic jam information including the current first information and the second information on the same day of the week and at the same time in the past. In-vehicle device. [Appendix 3] The in-vehicle device according to Appendix 2, When the control unit determines based on the first information that a traffic jam has occurred on the way to the exit on the first lane, the control unit guides the vehicle traveling outside the predetermined section from the first lane to the second lane. In-vehicle device. [Appendix 4] The in-vehicle device according to Appendix 2 or 3, Even if the control unit determines based on the first information that no traffic jam has occurred on the way to the exit on the first lane, but determines based on the second information that a traffic jam has occurred in the past, the control unit guides the vehicle traveling outside the predetermined section from the first lane to the second lane. In-vehicle device. [Appendix 5] The in-vehicle device according to any one of Appendices 2 to 4, The control unit calculates the predetermined section by multiplying a predetermined ratio by the maximum distance from the exit of the traffic jam obtained based on the second information. In-vehicle device.

Explanation of reference signs

[0073] 1 Information processing system 10 In-vehicle device 11 Communication unit 12 Storage unit 13 Output unit 14 Acquisition unit 15 Control unit 20 Information processing device 21 Communication unit 22 Storage unit 23 Control Unit 30 Network

Claims

1. An in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, comprising a control unit having a function of acquiring traffic jam information for each lane on a road having a plurality of lanes and guiding the vehicle to another lane based on the acquired traffic jam information. The control unit acquires the traffic jam information including current first information and second information on the same day of the week and at the same time in the past, calculates a predetermined section by multiplying a maximum distance from an exit from the road with traffic jam obtained based on the second information by a predetermined ratio, and releases the function when the vehicle travels within the predetermined section from the exit in the first lane leading to the exit. In-vehicle device.

2. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1, wherein when the control unit determines based on the first information that a traffic jam has occurred on the way to the exit in the first lane, the control unit guides the vehicle traveling outside the predetermined section from the first lane to the second lane. In-vehicle device.

3. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein even when the control unit determines based on the first information that no traffic jam has occurred on the way to the exit in the first lane, but determines based on the second information that a traffic jam has occurred on the way to the exit in the past, the control unit guides the vehicle traveling outside the predetermined section from the first lane to the second lane. In-vehicle device.

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