Information providing method, information providing apparatus, and display method

Abstract

To enhance reliability of information by reducing a ratio of an information missing section occupied in a travel section of a mobile body.SOLUTION: An information provision method is a method in an information processing device for executing processing by acquiring information from a server device which records information of a predetermined interval related to a plurality of mobile bodies traveling on a travel road while acquiring position information from a satellite positioning system. The method comprises: acquiring information including position information and speed information associated with the position information concerning the mobile body being a processing object among the plurality of mobile bodies; calculating a section to be treated as information missing among missing sections being equal to or more than a predetermined distance in the acquired information; outputting the section to be displayed in an information display terminal together with the information; and calculating the section to be treated as the information missing based on the speed information associated with the last position information before the mobile body arrives at the missing section and the speed information associated with the first position information after the mobile body gets out of the missing section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information providing method, an information providing apparatus, and a display method.

Background Art

[0002] There is a technique of acquiring information regarding a moving body that travels on a traveling route while acquiring position information from a satellite positioning system, and using the information for operation management of the moving body.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, while traveling in a tunnel or the like, the moving body may not be able to acquire position information, and information on the moving body in that section may be lost. If the proportion of such an information loss section in the entire traveling section is large, the reliability of operation management will be impaired.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an information providing method, an information providing apparatus, and a display method that can reduce the proportion of an information loss section in the traveling section of a moving body and improve the reliability of information.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The information providing method according to the present disclosure is an information providing method in an information processing apparatus that acquires and processes the information from a server apparatus that records information at predetermined intervals regarding a plurality of moving bodies that travel on a traveling route while acquiring position information from a satellite positioning system, the method including acquiring the information including the position information and the speed information associated with the position information for a moving body to be processed among the plurality of moving bodies, and in the acquired information where the acquisition of the position information has failedAmong the defect intervals longer than a predetermined distance, 、 calculate the intervals to be treated as information defects, output them for display on an information display terminal together with the said information, for the missing section the last position information of the mobile object before it reaches the defect interval the first position of the moving body which is and the first position information of the mobile object after it leaves the defect interval Based on the straight-line distance between the first position and the second position of the moving body which is, and the time required for the moving body to reach the second position from the first position, calculate the first speed of the moving body in the missing section, the speed information associated with the last position information, which is the speed information of the moving body at the first position, and the first position information the speed information associated therewith which is the speed information of the moving body at the second position Based on calculate the second speed of the moving body in the missing section, and if the difference between the first speed and the second speed exceeds a first value, treat it as information loss .

Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the information providing method, information providing apparatus, and display method according to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the ratio of information defect intervals in the traveling section of the mobile object and improve the reliability of the information.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

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Figure 8

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Figure 12

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of an information providing method, an information providing apparatus, and a display method according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] (Configuration example of the operation management system) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the outline of the operation management system 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the operation management system 1 of the embodiment includes an information providing server 10, a central server 20, an in-vehicle device 30, and an operation management device 40. The operation management system 1 may include a roadside unit RM (see FIG. 8) described later.

[0011] The information providing server 10 as an information providing apparatus is a server or the like owned by an information providing business operator. The information providing business operator provides information regarding vehicles managed by a user to a user such as a transportation operator. The information providing server 10 acquires information on vehicles managed by the user from a central server 20 owned by a road administrator such as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, performs predetermined processing, and then outputs the information to the operation management device 40 owned by the user.

[0012] The central server 20 as a server device is a server or the like owned by a road administrator. The road administrator acquires information regarding a plurality of vehicles traveling on a road such as a highway managed by the road administrator from those vehicles. These plurality of vehicles include the vehicles managed by the above user.

[0013] The vehicle managed by the user is equipped with an in-vehicle unit 30. The in-vehicle unit 30 accumulates information such as the position information and speed information of the vehicle equipped with the in-vehicle unit 30, and the time when such information was generated, etc. at predetermined intervals in accordance with services such as ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) 2.0. The central server 20 of the road administrator collects and records the information from the in-vehicle unit 30 at predetermined points on the road.

[0014] The operation management device 40 as an information display terminal is a PC (Personal Computer) or the like owned by a user such as a carrier. The operation management device 40 performs predetermined processing on the information acquired from the information providing server 10 of the information provider for the vehicles managed by the user, and then presents the information to the user by displaying it on a monitor or the like.

[0015] Regarding the outline of the processing performed among these configurations, first, a user who intends to receive the service of the information provider transmits the information of the in-vehicle unit 30 mounted on the vehicle managed by the user to the information providing server 10. The information providing server 10 registers the received information of the in-vehicle unit 30 in the information providing server 10 (step S1).

[0016] When the vehicle managed by the user starts operations such as transportation, the information from the in-vehicle unit 30 is uploaded to the central server 20 at a predetermined point on the road (step S2). Note that the information collected from the in-vehicle unit 30 may also be referred to as probe information.

[0017] Based on the registered information, the information providing server 10 downloads the information uploaded from the in-vehicle unit 30 from the central server 20 (step S3). Further, the information providing server 10 performs predetermined processing such as a missing determination process on the information downloaded from the central server 20 (step S4). The details of the processing in step S4 will be described later.

[0018] The operation management device 40 transmits an information provision request to the information provision server 10 (step S5). The information provision server 10 provides the information after the defect determination process to the operation management device 40 (step S6). However, the information provision server 10 may output information to the operation management device 40 without receiving the information provision request after processing the information related to the vehicle or at a predetermined timing or the like determined in advance.

[0019] (Configuration example of information provision server) Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, an example of the hardware configuration and functional configuration of the information provision server 10 will be described.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information provision server 10 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the information provision server 10 is configured as an information processing device such as a computer including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13.

[0021] More specifically, the information provision server 10 includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a communication interface (I / F: Interface) 14, an input / output I / F 15, and a storage device 16. These CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, communication I / F 14, input / output I / F 15, and storage device 16 are connected to each other by an internal bus. Further, an input device 17 and an output device 18 are bus-connected to the input / output I / F 15. However, the information provision server 10 may incorporate the input device 17 and the output device 18 and the like.

[0022] The CPU 11 controls the entire information provision server 10. The ROM 12 functions as a storage area in the information provision server 10. The information stored in the ROM 12 is retained even when the power of the information provision server 10 is turned off. The RAM 13 functions as a primary storage device and serves as a work area for the CPU 11.

[0023] The function of the information providing server 10 is realized by the CPU 11 expanding and executing the information providing program stored in the ROM 12 or the like in the RAM 13.

[0024] The communication I / F 14 is configured to be connectable to a network such as the Internet. Through the communication I / F 14, various information is exchanged between the information providing server 10 and the above-mentioned central server 20, operation management device 40, etc.

[0025] The input / output I / F 15 is connected to external devices such as the input device 17 and the output device 18. Through the input / output I / F 15, various information is exchanged between the external devices such as the input device 17 and the output device 18 and the information providing server 10.

[0026] The storage device 16 is an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SDD (Solid State Drive), etc., and functions as an auxiliary storage device for the CPU 11.

[0027] The input device 17 receives various inputs made by the information providing business operator to the information providing server 10. The input device 17 is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, or other devices.

[0028] The output device 18 presents various information from the information providing server 10 to the information providing business operator. The output device 18 is, for example, a monitor, a printer, a speaker, or other devices. The output device 18 may be a touch panel or the like integrally configured with the input device 17.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information providing server 10 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the information providing server 10 includes, for example, an acquisition unit 101, a determination unit 102, an output unit 103, an input / output unit 104, and a storage unit 105.

[0030] The acquisition unit 101 acquires the registration information of the in-vehicle device 30 from the operation management device 40 via a network such as the Internet. Further, the acquisition unit 101 acquires the probe information of the in-vehicle device 30 recorded by the central server 20 from the central server 20 via a network such as the Internet. The acquisition unit 101 is realized by, for example, a communication I / F 14 that operates under the control of the CPU 11 during the execution of an information providing program.

[0031] The determination unit 102 determines whether to treat a missing section as information loss for the probe information of the in-vehicle device 30 acquired from the central server 20. In the probe information of the in-vehicle device 30, there may be a missing section where the probe information is missing when the vehicle is traveling in a tunnel, a group of high-rise buildings, etc. When it is presumed that such a missing section is due to, for example, a tunnel or the like, the determination unit 102 determines not to treat it as information loss. The determination unit 102 is realized by, for example, the CPU 11 during the execution of an information providing program.

[0032] The output unit 103 outputs the information on which the determination process by the determination unit 102 has been performed to the operation management device 40 via a network such as the Internet. The output unit 103 is realized by, for example, a communication I / F 14 that operates under the control of the CPU 11 during the execution of an information providing program.

[0033] The input / output unit 104 exchanges various information with external devices such as the input device 17 and the output device 18 via a bus. The input / output unit 104 is realized by, for example, an input / output I / F 15 that operates under the control of the CPU 11 during the execution of an information providing program.

[0034] The storage unit 105 stores various parameters necessary for the processing performed by the information providing server 10, the information providing program executed by the information providing server 10, and the like. Further, the storage unit 105 stores registration information of the in-vehicle device 30 registered by the user, information regarding the vehicle acquired from the central server 20, information after the processing by the determination unit 102, and the like. The storage unit 105 is realized by, for example, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, and a storage device 16 that operate under the control of the CPU 11 during the execution of the information providing program.

[0035] (Configuration Example of Central Server) Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, an example of the hardware configuration and functional configuration of the central server 20 will be described.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the central server 20 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the central server 20 is configured as a computer including, for example, a CPU 21, a ROM 22, and a RAM 23.

[0037] More specifically, the central server 20 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a communication I / F 24, and a storage device 26. These CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, communication I / F 24, and storage device 26 are connected to each other via an internal bus. However, an input device, an output device, and the like may be connected to the information providing server 10 via an input / output I / F or the like.

[0038] The CPU 21 controls the entire central server 20. The ROM 22 functions as a storage area in the central server 20. The information stored in the ROM 22 is retained even when the power of the central server 20 is turned off. The RAM 23 functions as a primary storage device and serves as a working area for the CPU 21.

[0039] The functions of the central server 20 are realized by the CPU 21 expanding and executing the information aggregation program stored in the ROM 22 or the like in the RAM 23.

[0040] The communication I / F 24 is configured to be connectable to, for example, a dedicated network of a road administrator or a network such as the Internet. Through the communication I / F 24, various types of information are exchanged between the above-described information providing server 10 and the central server 20.

[0041] The storage device 26 is an HDD, SDD, etc., and functions as an auxiliary storage device for the CPU 21.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the central server 20 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the central server 20 includes, for example, an acquisition unit 201, a aggregation unit 202, an output unit 203, and a storage unit 205.

[0043] The acquisition unit 201 acquires information stored in the in-vehicle device 30 from the roadside unit RM (see FIG. 8) installed at a predetermined point on the traveling road via a dedicated network of a road administrator or a network such as the Internet. The acquisition unit 201 is realized, for example, by the communication I / F 24 operating under the control of the CPU 21 during execution of an information aggregation program.

[0044] The aggregation unit 202 aggregates information acquired from the in-vehicle devices 30 of a plurality of vehicles and performs processing so that it can be used for traffic jam countermeasures, safety countermeasures, logistics support, etc. The aggregation unit 202 is realized, for example, by the CPU 21 during execution of an information aggregation program.

[0045] The output unit 203 outputs, for example, raw probe information to the information providing server 10 via a network such as the Internet. The output unit 203 is realized, for example, by the communication I / F 24 operating under the control of the CPU 21 during execution of an information aggregation program.

[0046] The memory unit 205 stores various parameters necessary for the processing performed by the central server 20, as well as information aggregation programs and the like executed by the central server 20. In addition, the memory unit 205 stores raw information regarding a plurality of vehicles acquired from the in-vehicle device 30, information after aggregation by the aggregation unit 202, and the like. The memory unit 205 is realized by, for example, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, and a storage device 26 that operate under the control of the CPU 21 during the execution of the information aggregation program.

[0047] (Configuration Example of the Operation Management Device) Next, an example of the hardware configuration and functional configuration of the operation management device 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0048] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the operation management device 40 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the operation management device 40 is configured as a computer including, for example, a CPU 41, a ROM 42, and a RAM 43.

[0049] More specifically, the operation management device 40 includes a CPU 41, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, a communication I / F 44, an input / output I / F 45, and a storage device 46. These CPU 41, ROM 42, RAM 43, communication I / F 44, input / output I / F 45, and storage device 46 are connected to each other via an internal bus. In addition, an input device 47 and an output device 48 are bus-connected to the input / output I / F 45.

[0050] The CPU 41 controls the entire operation management device 40. The ROM 42 functions as a storage area in the operation management device 40. The information stored in the ROM 42 is retained even when the power of the operation management device 40 is turned off. The RAM 43 functions as a primary storage device and serves as a work area for the CPU 41.

[0051] The functions of the operation management device 40 are realized by the CPU 41 expanding and executing the operation management program stored in the ROM 42 and the like in the RAM 43.

[0052] The communication I / F 44 is configured to be connectable to a network such as the Internet. Through the communication I / F 44, various information is exchanged between the above-described information providing server 10 and the operation management device 40.

[0053] The storage device 46 is an HDD, SDD, etc., and functions as an auxiliary storage device for the CPU 41.

[0054] The input / output I / F 45 is connected to external devices such as the input device 47 and the output device 48. Through the input / output I / F 15, various information is exchanged between the external devices such as the input device 47 and the output device 48 and the operation management device 40.

[0055] The storage device 46 is an HDD, SDD, etc., and functions as an auxiliary storage device for the CPU 41.

[0056] The input device 47 receives various inputs made by a user such as a carrier to the operation management device 40. The input device 47 is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, or other devices.

[0057] The output device 48 presents various information to the user from the operation management device 40. The output device 48 is, for example, a monitor, a printer, a speaker, or other devices. The output device 48 may be a touch panel or the like configured integrally with the input device 47.

[0058] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the operation management device 40 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the operation management device 40 includes, for example, an acquisition unit 401, a processing unit 402, an output unit 403, an input / output unit 404, and a storage unit 405.

[0059] The acquisition unit 401 acquires the processed information from the above-described information providing server 10 via a network such as the Internet. The acquisition unit 401 is realized, for example, by the communication I / F 44 that operates under the control of the CPU 41 while the operation management program is being executed.

[0060] The processing unit 402 processes the processed information acquired from the information providing server 10 so that it can be used for the operation management of the vehicle managed by the user. Specifically, the processing unit 402 processes, for example, the driving route of the vehicle to be managed into operation information that can be mapped and displayed on a map. The processing unit 402 is realized by, for example, the CPU 41 during the execution of the operation management program.

[0061] The output unit 403 outputs the operation information processed by the processing unit 402 to another PC or the like of the user on the network via a network such as the Internet. Another PC owned by the user may be, for example, another site of the user such as a carrier, or a PC owned by another department different from the operation management department. The output unit 403 is realized by, for example, the communication I / F 44 that operates under the control of the CPU 41 during the execution of the operation management program.

[0062] The input / output unit 404 exchanges various information with external devices such as the input device 47 and the output device 48 via a bus. As a result, for example, the processed operation information and the like are displayed on the monitor which is the output device 48. The input / output unit 404 is realized by, for example, the input / output I / F 45 that operates under the control of the CPU 41 during the execution of the operation management program.

[0063] The storage unit 405 stores various parameters necessary for the processing performed by the operation management device 40, and the operation management program and the like executed by the operation management device 40. In addition, the storage unit 405 stores the application information of the in-vehicle device 30 applied to the information providing server 10 of the information providing business operator, the processed information acquired from the information providing server 10, and the operation information after processing by the processing unit 402 and the like. The storage unit 405 is realized by, for example, the ROM 42, the RAM 43, and the storage device 46 that operate under the control of the CPU 41 during the execution of the operation management program.

[0064] (Function example of information providing server) Next, the details of the functions of the information providing server 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the functions of the information providing server 10 according to the embodiment.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 8, roadside units RM are provided at predetermined intervals on roadways such as expressways managed by road administrators such as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. A plurality of vehicles VH (VHx, VHy ···) travel on such roadways while acquiring position information from a satellite positioning system (GNSS: Global Navigation Satellite System).

[0066] The satellite positioning system is a system that identifies the current position and current time of a vehicle VH based on signals transmitted from artificial satellites 50 to the ground and is used for car navigation and the like.

[0067] Vehicles VHx, VHy ··· as a plurality of moving bodies are vehicles to be recorded by a central server 20, and each is equipped with an in-vehicle device 30 (30x, 30y ···). The in-vehicle device 30 (30x, 30y ···) incorporates a GNSS receiver 51 (51x, 51y ···). Note that an in-vehicle device that does not incorporate a GNSS receiver acquires probe information from a car navigation device by cooperating with a car navigation device that incorporates a GNSS receiver. In the case of an in-vehicle device that acquires probe information from a car navigation device, since the car navigation device interpolates the probe information by means of an autonomous navigation system, the above-described loss of probe information does not occur.

[0068] Further, the plurality of vehicles VHx, VHy ··· include, for example, the vehicle VHx that is the processing target of the above-described information providing server 10. The vehicle VHx that is the processing target is not limited to automobiles such as trucks used for transportation operations, and may be a motorcycle or other moving body. Note that at least the vehicle VHx that is the processing target does not have an autonomous navigation system that can autonomously identify the position of its own vehicle.

[0069] The roadside unit RM performs two-way communication with in-vehicle devices 30 mounted on a plurality of vehicles VHx, VHy ··· passing through the installation point of the roadside unit RM by, for example, dedicated short range communications using the 5.8 GHz band.

[0070] As a result, the in-vehicle device 30 can acquire the road traffic information and the like aggregated by the above-described central server 20. Further, the roadside unit RM acquires the position information and speed information of the vehicle VH stored in the in-vehicle device 30, and information such as the time when these pieces of information were generated.

[0071] While the vehicle VH is traveling on the road, the in-vehicle device 30 accumulates information such as position information, speed information, acceleration information and yaw rate information in the front, rear, left and right of the vehicle VH, and the generation time of these pieces of information at predetermined intervals such as every 200 m. The recording point of information at predetermined intervals in the in-vehicle device 30 may also be referred to as a measurement point or the like.

[0072] The information collected by the roadside unit RM from the in-vehicle devices 30 of a plurality of vehicles VHx, VHy,... is acquired and recorded by the central server 20 via, for example, a dedicated network for road administrators. The information providing server 10 acquires, via a network NT such as the Internet, the information of the vehicle VHx to be processed among the information of a plurality of vehicles VHx, VHy,... acquired by the central server 20. Further, the information providing server 10 performs predetermined processing on the acquired information and transmits it to the user's operation management device 40 via a network NT such as the Internet.

[0073] Here, in FIG. 8, a plurality of circled points including the positioning start point B, the positioning end point G, etc. are measurement points where information recording by the in-vehicle device 30 was performed. Also, the comments attached to several measurement points on the map of FIG. 8 indicate the actual situations at those measurement points. How the information providing server 10 performs processing according to these situations will be described below.

[0074] For example, in the example of FIG. 8, it is assumed that the vehicle VHx to be processed has traveled on the road from the departure point A to the arrival point H. On the travel route of the vehicle VHx, the positioning start point B is the point where the information recording by the in-vehicle device 30 starts. Also, the positioning end point G is the point where the information recording by the in-vehicle device 30 ends.

[0075] The information at these measurement points is collected by the roadside unit RM every time the vehicle VHx passes through the installation point of the roadside unit RM and recorded in the central server 20.

[0076] However, it is assumed that no information of the vehicle VHx was generated from the last information generation at the tunnel entrance point C until the information generation at the tunnel exit point D. This is because while the vehicle VH is running inside the tunnel, it cannot obtain position information and the like from the satellite positioning system, and in this case, information may not be accumulated in the on-vehicle unit 30. Note that the information providing server 10 does not have map information and the like of the route traveled by the vehicle VHx, and at this point, it is impossible to determine that there is a tunnel between points C and D.

[0077] Also, it is assumed that near point E after exiting the tunnel, the information storage amount of the on-vehicle unit 30 exceeds a predetermined amount, and the information in the on-vehicle unit 30 in a predetermined section after point E is erased. When the information storage amount of the on-vehicle unit 30 exceeds a predetermined amount, an overflow occurs, and among the information accumulated until then, the old information is overwritten with new information in order from the oldest.

[0078] Such an information overflow can occur, for example, when the vehicle VH travels a long distance on a road where no roadside unit RM is installed. If the on-vehicle unit 30 complies with, for example, ETC 2.0, it can accumulate information about a travel distance of about 80 km and about 31 events such as sudden braking and sudden acceleration.

[0079] As described above, in the example of FIG. 8, due to poor information acquisition from the satellite positioning system and information storage amount overflow, missing sections MSS1 and MSS2 have occurred in the information regarding the vehicle VHx to be processed. The length of the missing section MSS1 is several hundred meters, and it is assumed that the length of the missing section MSS2 exceeds several kilometers. That is, L1 ≈ several hundred meters, L2 > several kilometers.

[0080] Also, in front of the positioning end point G, the position information of the vehicle VHx jumps to a point F where the position deviates significantly from the previous driving route. Such a phenomenon is called, for example, position jump, and can occur when the vehicle VH travels near a tall building or under an elevated road, etc., and the position information from the satellite positioning system cannot be obtained accurately only for a very short section. In the example of FIG. 8, it is assumed that the point F indicates a position more than 300 m away from the position information before and after the point F. That is, L3≧300 m and L4≧300 m.

[0081] The determination unit 102 of the information providing server 10 extracts the missing sections MSS1, MSS2, the position jump point F, etc. from the information shown in FIG. 8 obtained for the vehicle VHx, and makes determinations about these.

[0082] The point F has position information that deviates significantly, for example, more than 300 m away from the position information before and after, and such significantly deviated position information is shown only in a very limited section such as the point F. From this, it can be easily determined that the information indicated by the point F is due to a position jump. The determination unit 102 associates information indicating that there was a problem with obtaining information from the satellite positioning system with the point F.

[0083] Also, since the missing sections MSS1, MSS2 are sections longer than the information storage interval of the vehicle-mounted device 30, for example, 200 m, the determination unit 102 determines that some information is missing. Further, the determination unit 102 determines whether or not these missing sections MSS1, MSS2 are in a tunnel section or the like and are caused by a problem with obtaining information from the satellite positioning system.

[0084] First, the determination of the missing section MSS1 is described below. The determination unit 102 obtains the speed V3 and the speed V4 in the missing section MSS1, calculates the difference ΔV between these speeds V3, V4, and determines whether to treat the missing section MSS1 as a section where information loss has occurred based on whether the difference ΔV is within a predetermined value.

[0085] The speed V3 as the first speed is the average speed of the vehicle VHx obtained from the straight-line distance of the missing section MSS1 and the time required for the vehicle VHx to travel through the missing section MSS1.

[0086] Specifically, the determination unit 102 obtains the straight-line distance L1 between the position PS1 indicated by the position information at the point C, which was the last generated before the vehicle VHx reached the missing section MSS1, and the position PS2 indicated by the position information at the point D, which was the first generated after the vehicle VHx exited the missing section MSS1.

[0087] Further, the determination unit 102 obtains the speed V3 of the vehicle VHx in the missing section MSS1 by the following formula (1) based on the time t1 when the vehicle VHx was traveling at the position PS1, the time t2 when the vehicle VHx was traveling at the position PS2, and the straight-line distance L1 between the above positions PS1 and PS2.

[0088] V3 = L1 / (t2 - t1) ··· (1)

[0089] The speed V4 as the second speed is the average speed of the speeds of the vehicle VHx immediately before reaching the missing section MSS1 and immediately after exiting the missing section MSS1.

[0090] Specifically, the determination unit 102 extracts the speed V1 of the vehicle VHx at the position PS1 from the speed information associated with the position information at the point C, and extracts the speed V2 of the vehicle VHx at the position PS2 from the speed information associated with the position information at the point D. Then, the determination unit 102 obtains the speed V4 of the vehicle VHx in the missing section MSS1 by the following formula (2) based on these speeds V1 and V2.

[0091] V4 = (V1 + V2) / 2 ··· (2)

[0092] Generally, tunnels are designed to be as straight as possible from the perspectives of safety and construction cost. Therefore, it can be inferred that the actual tunnel length does not deviate significantly from the straight-line distance L1 between position PS1 and position PS2. Also, assuming that the speed of vehicle VHx did not change much while traveling through the missing section MSS1, it can be inferred that there is no significant difference between the speed V3 obtained from Equation (1) and the speed V4 obtained from Equation (2).

[0093] Also, the length of a tunnel is generally about several hundred meters, and even the longest one is less than several kilometers. From this point as well, it is considered that the premise that the tunnel is approximately straight and the vehicle VHx travels through the tunnel at approximately a constant speed is likely to hold.

[0094] The determination unit 102 obtains the difference ΔV between the speeds V3 and V4 by the following Equation (3).

[0095] ΔV = 100×(V3 - V4) / V3 ···(3)

[0096] When the difference ΔV between the speeds V3 and V4 obtained from the above Equation (3) is, for example, within ±20%, the determination unit 102 determines that the missing section MSS1 is not treated as a section where information loss has occurred.

[0097] The determination unit 102 also makes a determination for the missing section MSS2 in the same manner as the above-mentioned missing section MSS1. That is, the determination unit 102 obtains the average speed based on Equation (1) from the straight-line distance of the missing section MSS2 and the time required for the vehicle VHx to travel through the missing section MSS2. Also, the determination unit 102 obtains the average speed based on Equation (2) from the speeds of the vehicle VHx immediately before reaching the missing section MSS2 and immediately after leaving the missing section MSS2. Further, the determination unit 102 calculates the difference between these average speeds based on Equation (3).

[0098] Here, in the case of a missing section such as MSS2, which is caused by an overflow of the information accumulation amount or the like, the length of the missing section may be, for example, several kilometers, and sometimes may reach several tens of kilometers. It is considered difficult to establish the premise that this section is substantially linear and that the vehicle VHx was traveling at substantially the same speed during this section. Therefore, the difference in average speed obtained from formulas (1) and (2) will deviate from a predetermined value, and the determination unit 102 will make a determination to treat the missing section MSS2 as a section where information loss has occurred. The determination unit 102 attaches information indicating that some information loss has occurred in association with the missing section MSS2.

[0099] As described above, the information obtained from the central server 20 and subjected to the above determination by the determination unit 102 is transmitted to the user's operation management device 40. The processing unit 402 (see FIG. 7) of the operation management device 40 processes the information obtained from the information providing server 10 to generate operation information, for example, mapping the travel route of the vehicle VHx to be managed on a map. FIG. 9 shows an example of the operation information 40M generated by the processing unit 402 of the operation management device 40 and displayed on the monitor which is the input / output unit 404.

[0100] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the operation information 40M displayed on the operation management device 40 according to the embodiment.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 9, in the operation information 40M, a plurality of measurement points including the above-described positioning start point B and positioning end point G are mapped on the map 41m. A point P1, which is one of the plurality of measurement points, corresponds to the positioning start point B in FIG. 8 described above. Also, the point P2 corresponds to the above-described tunnel entrance point C, and the point P2 corresponds to the tunnel exit point D.

[0102] Further, in the operation information 40M, a travel route 11t of the vehicle VHx is shown by connecting these measurement points. When reliable mapping processing is performed, the travel route 11t extends substantially along a predetermined travel path 41r on the map 41m.

[0103] Also, in the section on the map 41m from point P2 to point P3 corresponding to the above-mentioned missing section MSS1, for example, a tunnel 41t is shown. If a reliable determination result is obtained, the driving route 11t connecting these points P2 to P3 also extends without greatly deviating from the driving route 41r including the tunnel 41t on the map 41m.

[0104] Also, in the operation information 40M, for example, when a predetermined measurement point on the map 41m is selected, the information 11d at that measurement point can be displayed. The information at the measurement point includes, for example, position information such as the latitude / longitude of that measurement point, the time when the vehicle VHx passed through that measurement point, and the speed. In addition to these information, an explanation 11e regarding the measurement point, such as the measurement start point and the measurement end point, may be displayed.

[0105] Note that originally, the driving route 11t of the section connecting point P2 to point P3, which was originally the missing section MSS1, does not include measurement points and information regarding the vehicle VHx associated with the measurement points. Also, the length of the driving route 11t of the section connecting point P2 to point P3 is, for example, longer than the distance between adjacent measurement points on the driving route 11t of other sections.

[0106] Thus, the information after the determination process by the determination unit 102 of the information providing server 10 may include a section that is not treated as information loss and that does not have position information for a period longer than a predetermined interval at which information is stored in the in-vehicle device 30, for example, every 200m.

[0107] Also, when an arbitrary point P4 in the section corresponding to the above-mentioned missing section MSS2 and determined to be a section where information loss occurred is selected, an explanation 11e that it is an information loss section may be displayed. In addition to this, or alternatively, the section determined to be a section where information loss occurred may be displayed in a manner distinguishable from the normal driving route 11t. In this case, examples include the driving route 11t of the vehicle VH being displayed using a dashed line, a different line width, or a color.

[0108] Also, when the measurement point P5 corresponding to the above-mentioned point F is selected, for example, an explanation 11e that the measurement point P5 holds incorrect information due to a position jump is displayed.

[0109] In addition, the operation information 40M shows comprehensive information 11c regarding the vehicle VHx, such as the total length of the travel route 11t of the vehicle VHx, that is, the total travel distance of the vehicle VHx, the missing distance during the total travel distance, and the missing rate which is the ratio of the missing distance in the total travel distance.

[0110] The determination unit 102 of the information providing server 10 performs a determination not to treat some of the missing sections as information missing sections, thereby reducing the missing rate in the total travel distance.

[0111] (Information providing method by the information providing server) Next, an example of the information providing method by the information providing server 10 of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the information providing process by the information providing server 10 according to the embodiment.

[0112] As shown in FIG. 10, the acquisition unit 101 of the information providing server 10 acquires information of the in-vehicle device 30 mounted on the user's vehicle VHx from the operation management device 40 and registers it in the storage unit 105 (step S110). Also, the acquisition unit 101 downloads the probe information of the registered in-vehicle device 30 from the central server 20 based on the registration information of the in-vehicle device 30 (step S120).

[0113] The determination unit 102 calculates the distance between adjacent measurement points for all the measurement points included in the acquired information (step S130). Also, the determination unit 102 determines whether the distance between predetermined measurement points is equal to or greater than a predetermined value such as 200 m (step S140).

[0114] When the distance between the specified measurement points is greater than or equal to a specified value (step S140: Yes), the determination unit 102 determines that the section is a missing section, and determines whether to handle the missing section as a section where information loss has occurred (step S150). When the distance between the specified measurement points is less than the specified value (step S140: No), the determination unit 102 determines that no information loss has occurred in that section (step S160).

[0115] Also, the determination unit 102 determines whether the processing of steps S140 to S160 has been completed for all sections (step S170). If there is an undetermined section (step S170: No), the determination unit 102 repeats the processing of steps S140 to S160.

[0116] When the processing for all sections has been completed (step S170: Yes), the determined information is output to the operation management device 40 (step S180).

[0117] Thus, the information providing process by the information providing server 10 of the embodiment ends.

[0118] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the determination process by the information providing server 10 according to the embodiment. The process of FIG. 11 is a detailed flowchart of the process of step S150 in FIG. 10 described above.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 11, for a missing section where the distance between the specified measurement points is greater than or equal to a specified value, the determination unit 102 calculates the straight-line distance L of the missing section and the speed V3 based on the time (t2 - t1) required for the vehicle VHx to travel through the missing section according to the above formula (1) (step S151).

[0120] Also, for the missing section, the determination unit 102 calculates the average speed V4 of the speeds V1 and V2 of the vehicle VHx immediately before reaching the missing section and immediately after leaving the missing section according to the above formula (2) (step S152).

[0121] Note that the processing order of steps S151 and S152 can be swapped. That is, the determination unit 102 may perform the processing of step S151 after the processing of step S152.

[0122] The determination unit 102 calculates the difference ΔV between the speed V3 and the speed V4 according to the above formula (3) (step S153). Further, the determination unit 102 determines whether the difference ΔV is within a predetermined value (step S154). As described above, the predetermined value as the first value can be, for example, ±20%.

[0123] When the difference ΔV exceeds the range of the predetermined value (step S154: No), the determination unit 102 makes a determination to treat the section to be determined as an information-deficient section in the information output to the operation management device 40 (step S155). When the difference ΔV is within the predetermined value (step S154: Yes), the determination unit 102 makes a determination not to treat the section to be determined as an information-deficient section in the information output to the operation management device 40 (step S156).

[0124] Thus, the determination process by the information providing server 10 of the embodiment ends.

[0125] (Comparative Example) For vehicles or the like owned by users such as carriers, a service may be provided in which probe information is obtained from the server of the road administrator and provided to the user. At this time, for example, when the vehicle position is specified based solely on information from GNSS without having an autonomous navigation system, in a section where it is difficult to obtain information from GNSS such as inside a tunnel, the vehicle position cannot be specified and is treated as information-deficient. However, if the deficiency rate during the total travel distance is high, the accuracy of the information decreases and the reliability of the operation information deteriorates.

[0126] For example, in the technology of Patent Document 1 described above, an attempt is made to estimate the vehicle position even for a driving section where information from GNSS cannot be received, using a driving map including a tunnel and the driving speed information of other vehicles traveling in the tunnel. However, in the technology of Patent Document 1, map data of the area where the vehicle travels and information on other vehicles traveling around the vehicle are required, resulting in a configuration that is difficult to implement, requiring a complex system and complicated estimation processing.

[0127] According to the information providing server 10 of the embodiment, among the missing sections of a predetermined distance or more in the information on the vehicle VHx to be processed acquired from the central server 20, a section to be treated as information loss is calculated and output together with the information for display on the operation management device 40.

[0128] In this way, by not treating all of the missing sections of a predetermined distance or more as information loss, but by not treating the missing sections that satisfy the predetermined conditions as information loss, the ratio of the missing sections in the driving section of the vehicle VHx can be reduced. Thereby, the reliability of the information provided to the user can be enhanced.

[0129] According to the information providing server 10 of the embodiment, when the difference ΔV between the speed V3 calculated based on the straight-line distance L between the positions PS1 and PS2 of the vehicle VHx and the time (t2 - t1) required for the vehicle VHx to reach the position PS2 from the position PS1, and the speed V4 calculated based on the respective speeds V1 and V2 of the vehicle VHx at the positions PS1 and PS2 is within a predetermined value, the missing section is not treated as information loss.

[0130] Thereby, for a predetermined missing section, for example, by using only the information acquired from GNSS, it is possible to accurately determine whether the missing section corresponds to a tunnel section or the like and may be regarded as not being information loss.

[0131] In the above-described embodiment, the processing unit 402 of the operation management device 40 processes the operation information in which the travel route of the vehicle VHx is mapped on the map. However, the mode of information processing is not limited to the above example. The information provided from the information providing server 10 may be processed into graphic or character information other than a map. Further, the operation management device 40 may statistically process and display the information of a plurality of vehicles managed by the user.

[0132] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the processing unit 402 of the operation management device 40 processes the information. However, part or all of the processing by the processing unit 402 may be performed by the information providing server 10.

[0133] (Modification example) Next, with reference to FIG. 12, the information providing server of the modification example of the embodiment will be described. The information providing server of the modification example is different from the above-described embodiment in that it determines whether or not to perform determination processing on a missing section in which the distance between predetermined measurement points is equal to or greater than a predetermined value based on the above-described speeds V3 and V4.

[0134] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of information providing processing by the information providing server according to the modification example of the embodiment.

[0135] As shown in FIG. 12, in the information providing server of the modification example, the processes of steps S110 to S180 shown in FIG. 10 of the above-described embodiment are also performed. In the information providing server of the modification example, in addition to these processes, the processes of steps S141, S142, and S143 are performed.

[0136] After the process of step S140, the determination unit of the modification example calculates the ratio Vd of the speed difference between the speeds V1 and V2 at the positions PS1 and PS2 for a missing section in which the distance between predetermined measurement points is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (step S140: Yes) by the following formula (4).

[0137] Vd = |V3 - V4| / V3 ··· (4)

[0138] When the ratio Vd as the second value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, since the speed difference between the speeds V1 and V2 is large, it is difficult to assume that there is little change in the speed of the vehicle VHx in the missing section. Therefore, even if the missing section corresponds to a tunnel section or the like, the difference ΔV between the speeds V3 and V4 may exceed the predetermined value, and it may be difficult to accurately determine the missing section.

[0139] Therefore, the determination unit of the modified example determines whether or not the ratio Vd of the speed difference between the speeds V1 and V2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (step S142). If the ratio Vd is less than the predetermined value (step S142: No), it is determined whether or not to treat the missing section as an information loss (step S150). If the ratio Vd is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (step S142: Yes), in the information output to the operation management device 40, it is determined to treat the missing section as an information missing section (step S143).

[0140] Thereafter, similar to the above-described embodiment, the processes of steps S170 and S180 are performed.

[0141] As described above, the determination process by the information providing server of the modified example ends.

[0142] According to the information providing server of the modified example, when the speed difference obtained from the respective speeds V1 and V2 of the vehicle VHx at the positions PS1 and PS2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the missing section is treated as an information loss without calculating the speeds V3 and V4 and the difference ΔV between the speeds V3 and V4.

[0143] In this way, by not performing the determination for the missing section where it is difficult to obtain the determination accuracy of whether or not to treat it as an information loss, the processing efficiency in the information providing server can be improved. As a result, the determination accuracy of the information providing server can be improved.

[0144] According to the information providing server of the modified example, in addition, the same effects as those of the information providing server 10 of the embodiment are achieved.

[0145] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. This novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms. Also, various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. Further, this embodiment is included in the scope and gist of the invention and is included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Explanation of Signs

[0146] 1 Operation management system 10 Information providing server 20 Central server 30 On-vehicle unit 40 Operation management device 40M Operation information 101 Acquisition unit 102 Judgment unit 103 Output unit 104 Input / output unit 105 Storage unit RM Roadside unit VH Vehicle

Claims

1. An information providing method in an information processing apparatus that acquires and processes the information from a server device that records information at predetermined intervals regarding a plurality of moving objects that travel on a travel route while acquiring position information from a satellite positioning system, comprising: acquiring the information including the position information and the speed information associated with the position information for the moving object to be processed among the plurality of moving objects; calculating, in the acquired information, a section to be treated as information loss among the missing sections of a predetermined distance or more where the acquisition of the position information has failed, and outputting the section for display on an information display terminal together with the information; Regarding the missing section, calculating a first speed of the moving object in the missing section based on a straight-line distance between a first position of the moving object, which is the last position information before the moving object reaches the missing section, and a second position of the moving object, which is the first position information after the moving object leaves the missing section, and the time required for the moving object to reach the second position from the first position; calculating a second speed of the moving object in the missing section based on the speed information associated with the last position information, which is the speed information of the moving object at the first position, and the speed information associated with the first position information, which is the speed information of the moving object at the second position; treating the information loss when the difference between the first speed and the second speed exceeds a first value; Information providing method.

2. The output information includes a section that is not treated as information loss and that does not have the position information for a period longer than the predetermined interval. The information providing method according to claim 1.

3. When the difference between the first speed and the second speed is within the first value, the missing section is not treated as information loss. The information providing method according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. When the difference between the first speed and the second speed is within ±20%, the missing section is not treated as information loss. The information providing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. acquiring the speed V1 of the moving object at the first position, the time t1 when the moving object was traveling at the first position, and the first position information indicating the first position, and the speed V2 of the moving object at the second position, the time t2 when the moving object was traveling at the second position, and the second position information indicating the second position; Calculate a straight-line distance L between the first position and the second position from the first position information and the second position information. Calculate a speed V3 from the following formula (1) as the first speed. Calculate a speed V4 from the following formula (2) as the second speed. V3 = L / (t2 - t1) ... (1) V4 = (V1 + V2) / 2 ... (2) The information providing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. Calculate a difference ΔV between the first speed and the second speed from the following formula (3). ΔV = 100 × (V3 - V4) / V3 ... (3) The information providing method according to claim 5.

7. When the speed difference obtained from the speed information of the moving body at the first position and the speed information of the moving body at the second position is equal to or greater than a second value, the first and second speeds, and the difference between the first and second speeds are not calculated, and the missing section is treated as the information loss. The information providing method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. An information processing apparatus that acquires and processes the information from a server apparatus that records information at predetermined intervals regarding a plurality of moving bodies that have traveled on a travel route while acquiring position information from a satellite positioning system, acquire the information including the position information and the speed information associated with the position information for the moving body to be processed among the plurality of moving bodies, calculate, among the missing sections of a predetermined distance or more where the acquisition of the position information has failed in the acquired information, a section to be treated as information loss, and output it together with the information for display on an information display terminal, Regarding the missing section, calculate the first speed of the moving body in the missing section based on the straight-line distance between the first position of the moving body, which is the last position information before the moving body reaches the missing section, and the second position of the moving body, which is the first position information after the moving body exits the missing section, and the time required for the moving body to reach the second position from the first position, calculate the second speed of the moving body in the missing section based on the speed information associated with the last position information, which is the speed information of the moving body at the first position, and the speed information associated with the first position information, which is the speed information of the moving body at the second position, treat it as the information loss when the difference between the first speed and the second speed exceeds a first value. Information providing apparatus.

9. A display method in an information display terminal connected to an information processing apparatus that executes the information providing method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, obtaining, from the information processing apparatus, the information including the position information about the moving object to be processed and the speed information associated with the position information, and information about a section to be treated as information loss among the missing sections of the predetermined distance or more in the information, mapping and displaying the travel route of the moving object to be processed on a map and displaying information about a section to be treated as information loss, display method.

Images