JP3980770B2 - Broadcast information provision system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a broadcast-type information providing system that acquires information stored in an information providing center via a communication line and a broadcast line by a device mounted on a mobile body.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Devices that provide various information to a moving body and improve comfort and safety in the moving body are being developed. As a typical device, there is a car navigation system that uses map information and guidance information stored in a moving body to calculate the shortest route to a destination and guides the map by voice or the like. In the car navigation system, the map information and guide information are recorded on a large-capacity storage medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD. Although the amount of information stored in the storage medium is enormous, it is static information and cannot provide the driver with dynamic information such as parking lot empty vehicle information and road congestion information at a desired time.
[0003]
On the other hand, in recent years, mobile communication devices such as mobile phones and PHS are rapidly rising, and a communication network including a wide range of mobile bodies is being developed. Systems that provide dynamic information to drivers using these communication networks are being built.
[0004]
As an example of building a system that provides dynamic information, an information service center that stores dynamic information is installed, and users access the information service center via a mobile phone or PHS provided in a mobile unit. There is a method of obtaining desired information via a communication line. The obtained information is displayed as image information on a display provided in the navigation device or transmitted to the driver by a voice synthesizer.
[0005]
By applying the mobile communication device, it becomes possible to provide dynamic information to the mobile as described above, but it has the following problems.
[0006]
First, the capacity of the communication line is small. The transfer rate of digital data in mobile phones and PHS currently in practical use is 9.6 KBPS to 32 KBPS, and when image information is communicated, it takes about 10 seconds per image, resulting in degraded responsiveness. End up.
[0007]
Secondly, the cost required for communication is high. Further, since the communication cost is proportional to the communication time, when communicating image information, the communication time becomes longer as described above, and the communication cost increases.
[0008]
Third, the communication quality during movement is poor. This is due to fading or the like occurring in the communication path, the communication speed decreases in proportion to the increase in the bit error rate of the communication line, and communication is interrupted in the worst case.
[0009]
As a method for solving the above problem, a method of distributing dynamic information to a driver via a digital broadcasting line with higher transmission path quality has been studied ("Audio Quality vs. Data Services-a possible conflict? ", Christer Grewin, Third International Symposium on Digital Audio Broadcasting, 4-5 June 1996, Montreux Switzerland). The digital broadcasting line is limited to one-way data transmission from the broadcasting station side to the user, but has a communication capacity of several MBPS for voice lines and several tens of MBPS for moving picture lines. In addition, in order to apply a technique such as image compression, the communication capacity is designed in the worst case.
[0010]
When the data compression rate is high, that is, when monotonous images are continuous or when a still image is transmitted, the compression rate is inevitably high, and a band that is not used in general broadcasting is generated in the communication band. The communication information from the information service center to the mobile body is superimposed on the vacant band, and the broadcast receiving device provided on the mobile body side separates the communication information to obtain information via a high-speed and stable communication line. Will be able to.
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the mobile communication device, a cell in which a mobile object exists is determined, and communication is performed via a base station provided in the cell. In order to determine the cell in which the mobile object exists, the terminal side and the base station side regularly communicate to determine the cell in which the terminal exists.
[0012]
On the other hand, even when information is transmitted via a broadcast station, it is determined whether there is a mobile body that receives information in the service area of the broadcast station. There is a first problem that information must be provided.
[0013]
Further, when information is obtained via broadcasting, there is a second problem that the waiting time until the answer time is sent tends to be longer than when two-way communication is used. This is because there is a case where a waiting time is required when the answer information is superimposed on the general information, and there is a case where other users exist and the broadcast line may be congested.
[0014]
Furthermore, the apparatus that receives the broadcast is not turned on except when the user is receiving the broadcast. Therefore, there is a third problem that the power must be turned on / off when necessary.
[0015]
An object of the present invention is to provide means that can solve the first, second, and third problems in a broadcast type information providing system.
[0016]
Another object of the present invention is to provide means for enabling an operation to select an optimum communication path and an optimum broadcast station and provide answer information to a user in a broadcast type information providing system. There is.
[0017]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a broadcast-type information providing system including a mobile device mounted on a mobile device and an information providing device that provides information to the mobile device. The body side device includes a mobile side communication unit that performs two-way communication with the information providing side device, an information request unit that transmits request information indicating a request content of a user to the information providing device by the mobile side communication unit, and the information A receiving unit configured to receive response information to the request information transmitted from the providing side device; and an information presenting unit configured to present the received answer information to a user. The information providing side device includes the mobile unit side communication unit. A first information providing side communication unit that performs two-way communication with the communication unit, and a circuit that generates response information to the request information transmitted from the mobile body via the first information providing side communication unit. Information editing means, second information providing side communication means for communicating with a broadcasting facility that is broadcasting for a specific service area for transmitting the answer information to the mobile body, and the mobile side From the position information of the moving body detected by the apparatus or the information providing side apparatus, a broadcasting facility that includes the position where the moving body receives the answer information in its service area is selected, and the second information providing side And control means for transmitting the answer information to the selected broadcasting facility via a communication means and broadcasting the answer information from the selected broadcasting facility. Therefore, since the operation is performed so that the optimum broadcasting station is selected according to the position of the moving body, information can be received in the best state at all times.
[0018]
In order to achieve the above object, in the broadcast type information providing system according to the present invention, an evaluation is performed on a predetermined item regarding the generation and transmission of the response information, and the response information is determined according to an evaluation result of the item. It may be configured to determine which of the first information providing side communication means and the broadcasting facility should be passed when sending. Here, as evaluation items, the congestion level of the broadcast signal in the broadcasting facility that broadcasts the answer information, the communication speed between the information providing side communication means and the mobile side communication means, the data amount of the answer information, the answer It is preferable to use at least one of the time required to generate information and the time dependency of the answer information. As a result, the answer information can be obtained through the optimum communication path for the user.
[0019]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a broadcast type information providing system, wherein the mobile unit side device includes a mobile unit side communication means for performing two-way communication with the information providing side device, and a request indicating user request contents. Information request means for transmitting information to the information providing apparatus by the mobile side communication means, broadcast receiving means for receiving response information for the request information broadcast from the information providing side apparatus, and the received answer information Information providing means for presenting to a user, the information providing side device via a first information providing side communication means for performing bidirectional communication with the mobile side communication means, and the first information providing side communication means Response information editing means for generating response information to the request information sent from the mobile body, and broadcast means for transmitting the response information to the mobile body, the mobile body Apparatus for receiving a broadcast of the answer information by the broadcasting means, and further comprising a device control means for controlling the broadcast receiving means. The device control means performs, for example, power on / off of the broadcast receiving apparatus, switching of a reception channel, and the like according to the broadcast schedule of the response information sent via the mobile communication means.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a broadcast information providing system to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0021]
FIG. 1 shows that information stored in the information providing center 15 is transmitted to the mobile unit 10 via the communication line 14 or the broadcasting station 16, and the bidirectional communication device 11 or the broadcast receiving device 12 mounted on the mobile unit 10 is used. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration example of a broadcast type information providing system that receives and acquires desired information by an information processing device 13 and presents it to a user. Hereinafter, details of each component of the broadcast type information providing system will be described.
[0022]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional processing blocks of the information processing apparatus 13 installed in the moving body 10. In this embodiment, the information processing device 13 includes a calculation unit 100, a display 101, an information storage device 102, a voice input / output device 103, an input device 104, a wheel speed sensor 105, a geomagnetic sensor 106, a gyro 107, a GPS receiving device 108, and LAN109 is provided. Hereinafter, each component unit of the information processing apparatus will be described.
[0023]
The calculation unit 100 detects the current position based on sensor information output from various sensors 105 to 108, reads map mesh data necessary for map display from the obtained current position information from the information storage device 102, and maps data The graphic is developed and the current location mark is displayed on the display 101, or the optimal route connecting the destination and the current location instructed by the user is selected and displayed on the map on the display 101. This is a central unit that performs various processes such as guiding the user to the destination, inquiring the information providing center 15 for dynamic information required by the user, and displaying the obtained answer information on the display 101.
[0024]
The display 101 is a unit that displays graphics information generated by the calculation unit 100, and is configured by a CRT or a liquid crystal display. The signal S1 between the arithmetic unit 100 and the display 101 is generally connected by an RGB signal or an NTSC (National Television System Committee) signal.
[0025]
The information storage device 102 is composed of a large-capacity storage medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or IC card, and stores map mesh data, guidance information, and the like necessary for map display.
[0026]
The input device 104 is a unit that receives instructions from the user, and includes a hardware switch such as a scroll key and a scale change key, a joystick, a touch panel pasted on a display, and the like.
[0027]
The sensor used to detect the position in mobile navigation measures the distance from the product of the wheel circumference and the measured rotational speed of the wheel, and the mobile body bends due to the difference in rotational speed of the paired wheels. Wheel speed sensor 105 that measures the angle, geomagnetic sensor 106 that detects the magnetic field held by the earth and detects the direction in which the moving body is facing, and detects the angle at which the moving body such as an optical fiber gyroscope or vibrating gyroscope is rotated Gyro 107 receives the signal from the GPS satellite and measures the current position, traveling speed and traveling direction of the moving body by measuring the distance between the moving body and the GPS satellite and the rate of change of distance for three or more satellites. The GPS receiver 108 is configured.
[0028]
In addition, a LAN (Local Area Network) 109 that communicates between various devices installed in the moving body, that is, the bidirectional communication device 11 and the broadcast receiving device 12, and the information processing device 13 is provided. The LAN 109 communicates with these devices to transfer request information from the user to the bidirectional communication device 11, and operate to communicate the obtained answer information from the broadcast receiving device 12 or the bidirectional communication device 11. The bidirectional communication device 11 needs to be capable of data communication. Therefore, when data communication is not supported by the analog method, data communication is performed by installing a modem.
[0029]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of processing blocks provided in the arithmetic unit 100. In this embodiment, the calculation unit 100 includes a user operation analysis unit 120, a route calculation unit 121, a route storage unit 122, a route guidance unit 123, an information display processing unit 124, a current position calculation unit 125, a map matching unit 126, and a data reading unit. 127, a search unit 128, a communication device control unit 129, and a graphic processing unit 130. Hereinafter, each component will be described.
[0030]
The current position calculation means 125 uses distance data and angle data obtained by integrating the vehicle speed pulse data S5 measured by the wheel speed sensor 105 and the angular acceleration data S7 measured by the gyro 107, respectively. By integrating on the axis, a process of calculating the position (X ′, Y ′) after traveling the moving body from the initial position (X, Y) is performed. Here, in order to match the relationship between the rotation angle of the moving body and the direction of travel, there is a one-to-one relationship between the direction data S6 obtained from the geomagnetic sensor 106 and the angle data obtained by integrating the angular acceleration data S7 obtained from the gyro 107. And the absolute azimuth in the direction in which the moving object is traveling is corrected. In addition, since the sensor error accumulates when integrating the data obtained from the sensor described above, the process of canceling the accumulated error based on the position data S8 obtained from the GPS receiver 108 in a certain time period To output the current position information.
[0031]
Since the current position information includes sensor errors, map matching processing by the map matching means 126 is performed for the purpose of further improving the position accuracy. This is because the road data included in the map around the current location is read from the information storage device 102 by the data reading means 127, the traveling locus shape obtained from the current position calculating means 125 and the road shape are compared with each other, and the correlation between the shapes is the most. This is a process of adjusting the current location to a high road. By applying the map matching process, the current location often coincides with the traveling road, and the current position information can be output with high accuracy.
[0032]
The route calculation means 121 searches the map data for links and nodes that go from the current location to the destination via the waypoint using the Dijkstra method and stores the route obtained as a result in the route storage means 122. At this time, by changing the weight of the node, it is also possible to obtain a route with the shortest distance between two points, a route that can be reached in the shortest time, a route with the lowest cost, or the like.
[0033]
The route guidance unit 123 compares the link and node information of the guidance route stored in the route storage unit 122 with the current position information calculated by the current position calculation unit 125 and the map match unit 126, and before passing through an intersection or the like. Use voice input / output device 103 to notify the user by voice whether to go straight or turn left or right, or use information display processing means 124 to generate a shape map of the intersection to be guided, and display a guidance arrow over it The route is notified to the user.
[0034]
The user operation analysis unit 120 receives a request from the user by the input device 104, analyzes the request content, and controls each block so as to execute a corresponding process.
[0035]
The data reading means 127 operates so as to read the map information and facility information stored in the information storage device 102.
[0036]
The search means 128 controls the data reading means 127 to search for desired information, for example, position information, incidental information, video information, etc. of facilities.
[0037]
The communication device control means 129 controls and communicates with the bidirectional communication device 11 and the broadcast receiving device 12 installed on the mobile body via the LAN 109, and operates so as to read the information received by these devices.
[0038]
The information display processing unit 124 generates a graphics drawing command for drawing the map screen, the search screen, and the search result output screen, and transfers it to the graphics processing unit 130.
[0039]
The graphics processing unit 130 executes the display process by receiving the drawing command generated by the information display processing unit 124 and developing the screen image in the frame memory and transferring it to the display 101.
[0040]
Next, some processing examples will be described with reference to FIG. For example, it is assumed that the user instructs execution of a process for searching for information on a predetermined point. In this case, one of the following two processes is executed.
[0041]
As a first processing case, when it is determined that the response information to the search request exists in the information storage device 102, that is, the mobile body 10, the processing content will be described below.
[0042]
The user operation analysis unit 120 transfers data to the information display processing unit 124 and the graphics processing unit 130 so that the search screen is displayed on the display 101. The user inputs the desired search content from the display screen using a touch panel or joystick provided in the input device 104, and determines the search content from the instructed position. The search content may be received using a speech synthesis / recognition function provided in the speech input / output device 103. In this case, for example, “Please tell me the contents of search” is uttered by the speech synthesizing function, and the user's answer speech corresponding thereto is analyzed using the speech recognition function.
[0043]
The search contents are transferred to the search means 128, and the search means 128 controls the data reading means 127 to search for answer information corresponding to the request. The acquired answer information is transferred to the information display processing means 124, where the answer information is displayed on the display 101 by being converted into image data for display on the display.
[0044]
Next, the second case will be described. Although the case where the response information corresponding to the request exists in the mobile unit 10 has been described above, this case is implemented when the response information does not exist in the mobile unit 10.
[0045]
The user operation analysis means 120 operates in the same manner as in the first case and takes in the search contents. The search contents are transferred to the search means 128, where the data reading means 127 is controlled to search for answer information corresponding to the request. If it is determined that the response information corresponding to the request is not recorded in the information storage device 102, that is, in the moving body 10, the request information is transferred to the communication device control means 129.
[0046]
The communication device control means 129 connects the communication from the bidirectional communication device 11 to the information providing center 15 existing outside the moving body via the LAN 109, and transfers the request information.
[0047]
The response information output from the information providing center 15 returns the response information to the mobile unit 10 using the bidirectional communication or digital broadcasting. When reply information is sent back via two-way communication, the two-way communication device 11 receives the reply information and when the reply information is sent back via digital broadcasting, the broadcast device 12 controls the communication device via the LAN 109. Transferred to means 129.
[0048]
The acquired answer information is transferred to the information display processing means 124, where the answer information is displayed on the display 101 by being converted into image data for display on the display.
[0049]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the broadcast receiving device 12. In this embodiment, the legal transmission / reception apparatus includes a high frequency unit 141, a demodulation unit 142, a decoding unit 143, a power supply control unit 144, a control unit 145, and a LAN 146. Hereinafter, each component will be described.
[0050]
The broadcast receiving device 12 is provided in the mobile unit 10 and has a function of receiving a digital broadcast radio wave transmitted by a broadcasting station, and separating a broadcast for general viewers from the received broadcast radio wave and answer information for its own receiver. Have.
[0051]
First, the high frequency unit 141 amplifies the signal intensity of the radio wave captured by the antenna 140, and performs frequency conversion so that the frequency signal of the channel indicated by the control unit 145 matches the intermediate frequency of the demodulation unit 142. The demodulator 142 demodulates the obtained broadcast signal in the intermediate frequency band and converts it into a digital signal. The decoding unit 143 separates the digital signal into reply information transmitted to a broadcast requesting an unspecified number of users and a user who has requested information.
[0052]
There are various methods for separating the answer information transmitted to the user who requested information. For example, a method for setting different IDs for each user and separating broadcast information that matches the IDs, a method for dynamically determining IDs when information is requested, and separating broadcast information that matches the IDs, etc. Conceivable.
[0053]
Information obtained by the decoding unit 143 is transferred to the information processing apparatus 13 via the LAN 146.
[0054]
The power control unit 144 turns on / off power to each unit of the broadcast receiving device 12 in accordance with instructions from the information processing device 13 and the control unit 145. When power-on is instructed from the information processing device 13 via the LAN 146, the power control unit 144 supplies power to each unit and shifts to a standby state. Accordingly, even when the broadcast receiving device 12 is turned off, the operation can be started in a timely manner, so that the system can save power.
[0055]
The control unit 145 controls each unit of the broadcast receiving device 12 in accordance with an instruction given from the information processing device 13. That is, when the information processing device 13 indicates the channel on which the response information is broadcast, the high-frequency unit 141 is controlled so that the target channel can be received. Further, when the information processing apparatus 13 instructs an ID for identifying the answer information, the ID is set in the decoding unit 143. Further, when the decoding unit 143 is instructed to end the broadcast of the response information, the power source control unit 144 is instructed to turn off the power of each unit.
[0056]
According to the above configuration, after receiving the response information, the broadcast receiving device 12 operates so that the power is turned off. Therefore, the system can save power.
[0057]
The LAN 146 communicates with each unit mounted on the moving body 10 in both directions.
[0058]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the information providing center 15. In the present embodiment, the information providing center 15 includes a first bidirectional communication terminal 200, a communication control device 201, a second bidirectional communication terminal 203, an answer information generation device 204, a content information server 205, a vehicle position estimation device 206, A road network server 207 and a broadcast station data server 208 are provided. Hereinafter, each component will be described.
[0059]
The information providing center 15 collects content information required by the mobile unit 10 and records it on a server, searches the server in response to a user request, generates response information, and returns the response information to the user through an optimal communication path. To work.
[0060]
The first bidirectional communication terminal 200 is a device for connecting the communication line 14 and the information providing center 15 and is constituted by a digital telephone or an analog telephone. When the first bidirectional communication terminal 200 is configured by an analog telephone, an analog signal is converted into a digital signal using a modem.
[0061]
The communication control device 201 is a device that controls the flow of data. Request information transferred from the first two-way communication terminal 200 is sent to the response information generation device 204, and the type of response information generated by the response information generation device 204. The response information is selected and transferred to the first bidirectional communication terminal 200 or the second bidirectional communication terminal 203, and further, a process of disconnecting the communication at the first bidirectional communication terminal 200 is also executed.
[0062]
The response information generation device 204 analyzes the content of the request information, extracts necessary information from the content information server 205, generates response information, and instructs the communication control device 201 on a response method according to the type of response information. Further, the position of the mobile body is determined from the current position information sent from the mobile body, the estimated position of the mobile body output from the vehicle position estimation device 206, or the position information of the base station to which the mobile body is connected via the communication line 14. Then, the broadcast station data server 208 is searched to determine the broadcast station 16 whose service area is the position of the moving body.
[0063]
The content information server 205 is a device that collects and stores various dynamic information and static information. Although not shown here, the content information server 205 is connected to a unique line network or the Internet to collect external information and always stores the latest information.
[0064]
The vehicle position estimation device 206 operates to estimate the position of the moving body after a predetermined time from the current position information, destination information, waypoint information, route information and the like sent from the moving body. In the estimation, the position of the moving body is estimated from the average travel time of the road type using road information stored in the road network server 207, that is, road link information, road type information, and the like. In addition, a configuration may be adopted in which position estimation with higher accuracy is performed by using road traffic jam information stored in the content information server 205.
[0065]
The second two-way communication terminal 203 connects the communication to the broadcasting station 16 selected by the response information generation device 204 and transfers the response information. The communication line to which the second bidirectional communication terminal 203 is connected may be a public communication line network or a dedicated line.
[0066]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the broadcasting station 16. In this embodiment, the broadcasting station 16 transmits a program supply unit 300 that creates a program to be broadcast, an information processing unit 310 that multiplexes information distributed from the program supply unit 300 and the information providing center 15, and the processed information. The broadcasting unit 320 is provided. Hereinafter, each component will be described.
[0067]
The program supply unit 300 includes a video camera 301 that converts video and video signals, a microphone 303 that converts audio into audio signals, a video signal and an audio signal that are converted into digital signals, and the digital signals are transmitted efficiently. A video encoder 302 and an audio encoder 304 for compression are provided.
[0068]
The information processing unit 310 generates a bit stream in which digital signals sent from one or more program supply units 300 and the information providing center 15 are multiplexed into one packet by the multiplexing device 312. An error code is added to the unified bit stream by the error correction code adding device 313 so that bit errors due to external factors such as noise can be corrected. The modulation device 314 performs digital modulation with high efficiency and high error resistance in consideration of the characteristics of the transmission path.
[0069]
In the broadcast unit 320, one or a plurality of digitally modulated signals are converted into high-frequency signals by the transmitter 321 and the program is broadcast to the area that the broadcast station serves as a service area using the transmission antenna 322.
[0070]
FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are diagrams showing a processing flow of dynamic information search executed by the calculation unit 100 of the information processing apparatus 13 mounted on the moving body. Hereinafter, the process will be described with reference to a flowchart.
[0071]
In step 1000, the user operation analysis means 120 is monitored to determine whether the user has instructed a search request. When not instructed, the process returns to the original state, and after a predetermined time elapses, the occurrence of a search request is checked again. In FIG. 6, a polling type processing flow is shown as an example, but an event driven type may be used.
[0072]
In order to determine whether a search request has occurred, the information information search switch state and the like outside the moving body may be monitored on the menu screen displayed on the display 101. On the other hand, a search request may be issued from the user via the voice input / output device 103. In this case, items to be set in steps 1001 to 1003 below are set by voice interaction.
[0073]
Step 1001 displays on the display 101 a search menu screen for setting details of items to be searched when it is determined that a search request has been issued by the user. It should be noted that the search menu screen may be a nested menu screen in which an outline is first designated and detailed information is sequentially displayed and set.
[0074]
For example, when searching for certain hotel information, first the screen for setting the prefecture where the hotel is located, the screen for setting the type of the next hotel, and the screen for setting the proper noun of the hotel are displayed in this order. Display the search menu screen. Finally, when a unique hotel is instructed, it is determined that a user request has been set.
[0075]
In step 1002, in order to obtain response information to the search request content set in step 1001, whether to start communication with the information providing center 15 is displayed on the screen, and a user instruction is waited. When a search start is instructed, the process proceeds to the next step. When an instruction for resetting the search request contents and addition for setting a plurality of search request contents is instructed, the process moves again to step 1001 to execute the setting of the search request contents.
[0076]
In step 1003, the type of the communication device mounted on the mobile unit is confirmed using the LAN 109, and when it is determined that the broadcast receiving device 12 is not mounted on the mobile unit, the response information is set to be obtained through two-way communication. , Skip the display of the communication method setting screen. This suppresses the display of a menu screen that cannot be selected, thereby improving operability.
[0077]
On the display screen for setting the communication method, options such as “bidirectional communication is preferred”, “broadcast is preferred”, and “optimal communication route is selected” are displayed and a user input is waited for. In “Prefer bidirectional communication”, response information is obtained via bidirectional communication. In “Broadcast priority”, response information is obtained via broadcast. In “Choose optimal communication path”, response is selected. The method is to discriminate from the quality of the information and the communication line, etc., and to select a method for returning the reply information at high speed and low cost. The communication line information set here is superimposed on the request information and transferred to the information providing center 15.
[0078]
In step 1004, the telephone number for connecting to the information providing center 15 is transferred to the bidirectional communication device 11, and the communication connection is established by dialing the information providing center 15 via the communication line 14 using the bidirectional communication device 11. Request.
[0079]
In step 1005, the communication line 14 is checked to determine whether the first two-way communication terminal 200 in the information providing center 15 has been connected, or whether the terminal has been blocked and could not be connected. After the predetermined time elapses, the processing from step 1004 is executed again. Further, a message indicating that the information providing center 15 could not be connected is displayed on the display screen.
[0080]
In step 1006, an ID and a password for logging in to the information providing center 15 are transmitted, and it is confirmed that the user of the mobile body is a customer of the information providing center 15. If it can be confirmed that it is a customer, the process proceeds to the next step. If the ID and password do not match, information to that effect is displayed and communication is disconnected.
[0081]
In Step 1007, the search request information set by the user in Step 1001, the communication method information set by the user in Step 1003, and the current position information of the moving object output by the current position calculation means 125 and the map match means 126 are provided to the information providing center. Forward to 15. Further, if the broadcast receiving device 12 mounted on the moving body is operating, the reception channel information of the receiving device is also transferred.
[0082]
In step 1008, in response to the request transferred to the information providing center 15 in step 1007, a response information communication method returned from the information providing center 15 is received. The answer information communication method that can be used in the present embodiment is one of two-way communication or broadcasting.
[0083]
In step 1009, the subsequent information processing method is switched according to the communication method of the answer information obtained in step 1008. If bi-directional communication is not designated as the response information communication method, the process proceeds to step 1013 in FIG. 8, and if bi-directional communication is designated, the process proceeds to step 1010.
[0084]
Step 1010 is activated when reply information is returned via two-way communication, that is, via the two-way communication device 11, and receives reply information to the search request information requested by the user from the information providing center 15.
[0085]
In Step 1011, when it is determined that the reception of the answer information has been completed, the communication started in Step 1004 is disconnected. The information providing center 15 may determine that the communication line has been disconnected and disconnect the communication line.
[0086]
In step 1012, the answer information received in step 1010 is displayed together with the request information, and the search result is displayed to the user. When the car is running or when the user instructs to provide information via voice, the voice input / output device 103 is used to output the answer information in voice. Thereby, the user can grasp the information sent from the information providing center 15.
[0087]
Step 1013 is started when reply information is broadcast, that is, when the reply information is returned via the broadcast receiving device 12. Here, information such as a broadcast station that transmits a broadcast, a broadcast channel, a scheduled broadcast start time, a scheduled broadcast end time, a data amount of response information, and an ID and password for obtaining response information to be received from the broadcast are two-way communication devices. And then disconnect the two-way communication line.
[0088]
Note that, by obtaining the scheduled broadcast start time, it is possible to recognize a margin for channel activation of the broadcast receiving device 12 and a channel switching timing. In addition, by obtaining the scheduled broadcast end time, it is possible to grasp whether the reply information reply using the broadcast has ended normally. That is, if reply information cannot be obtained even when the scheduled broadcast end time is reached, it may be determined that normal reception could not be performed and control may be performed so as to request information from the information providing center 15 again.
[0089]
In step 1014, it is confirmed whether the broadcast receiving device 12 is operating. If not, the command to turn on the power is transferred to the power control unit 144 in the broadcast receiving device 12 via the LAN 109, and the broadcast receiving device 12 is operated. The receiving device 12 is activated. Note that the broadcast receiving device 12 may be activated so as to be activated by a predetermined margin time earlier than the scheduled broadcast start time obtained in step 1013. According to such a configuration, even when the power of the broadcast receiving device 12 is turned off, the operation can be started in a timely manner, so that the system can save power.
[0090]
In step 1015, information such as the broadcast station and broadcast channel that transmits the broadcast received in step 1013 is transferred to the control unit 145 in the broadcast receiving apparatus 12 via the LAN 109. In accordance with this information, the control unit 145 sets the reception channel of the high frequency unit 141.
[0091]
In step 1016, information such as an ID, a password, and a data amount of answer information for obtaining answer information to be received from the broadcast signal received in step 1013 is transferred to the control unit 145 in the broadcast receiving device 12 via the LAN 109. . In accordance with this information, the control unit 145 sets an ID and a password for decoding the target answer information in the decoding unit 143. Note that the data amount of the answer information is used to determine whether the answer information has been sent correctly by comparing it with the data amount of the broadcast information.
[0092]
In step 1017, when reception of the broadcast response information is completed, the response information is transferred to the information processing device 13, and when broadcast reception channel switching is executed in step 1015, the channel is changed to the reception channel before channel switching. .
[0093]
Furthermore, on condition that the power of the broadcast receiving device 12 is turned on in step 1014, a command to turn off the power of the broadcast receiving device 12 is transferred to the power control unit 144 in the broadcast receiving device 12 via the LAN 109, The broadcast receiving device 12 is stopped. According to such a configuration, since the operation can be started in a timely manner even when the broadcast receiving device 12 is turned off, the system can save power.
[0094]
In step 1018, the answer information received in step 1017 is displayed together with the request information, and the search result is displayed to the user. When the car is running or when the user instructs to provide information via voice, the voice input / output device 103 is used to output the answer information in voice. Thereby, the user can grasp the information sent from the information providing center 15.
[0095]
FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are diagrams showing a communication line setting process flow executed by the response information generating apparatus 204 of the information providing center 15. FIG. Hereinafter, the process will be described with reference to a flowchart.
[0096]
In step 1100, the search request information set by the user, the communication method information, and the current information sent from the bidirectional communication device 11 of the mobile body 10 to the information providing center 15 via the communication line 14 and the first bidirectional communication terminal 200 The current position information of the moving body output from the position calculating means 125 and the map matching means 126 is received and stored inside.
[0097]
Note that the location information of the mobile unit is the approximate location of the mobile unit obtained by specifying the base station connected to the mobile unit when the mobile unit is wirelessly connected to the radio ground station that constitutes the mobile communication network. May be.
[0098]
In steps 1101 and 1101a, the communication method information stored in step 1100 is analyzed to determine the subsequent processing method. In other words, if “Broadcast priority” is selected, the process 2 (step 1113) of FIG. 10 is selected. If “Bidirectional communication priority” is selected, the step 1110 is selected. If "" is selected, the process transitions to step 1102.
[0099]
In step 1102, the time required to generate answer information corresponding to the search request from the user is estimated. The time required for generating the response information is the time for accessing the content information server 205 and retrieving the information necessary for generating the response information. If no information exists in the content information server 205, the external database is accessed to collect the data. And an integrated value such as a time for shaping the response information into a predetermined format.
[0100]
In Step 1103, when it is determined that it takes time to prepare data for a predetermined time or more from the time required to generate the response information obtained in Step 1102, the processing returns to Step 1113, that is, the response information is returned by broadcasting. Operate to transition. This is because when the time required for preparation is long, useless time in which no data is exchanged in bidirectional communication occurs.
[0101]
By using this function, it is possible to shorten the communication time for bidirectional communication and to reduce the communication cost.
[0102]
In step 1104, the data amount of answer information corresponding to the search request from the user is estimated. The data amount of the response information is the total amount of image information, audio information, video information, and the like included in the response information.
[0103]
In step 1105, when it is determined from the data amount of the response information obtained in step 1102 that the data amount is equal to or larger than the predetermined amount, the operation proceeds to step 1113, that is, the processing returns to the process of returning the response information by broadcasting. This is because if the amount of response information is enormous, bidirectional communication with a slow data transfer speed will increase communication time and communication costs, and communication may be interrupted as the mobile unit moves. This is because the property becomes higher.
[0104]
When reply information is enormous by using this function, a broadcast with a high data transfer speed is selected, so that data is transferred from the information providing center 15 to the mobile object at a low cost and with a high probability in a short time. The effect that it can be obtained.
[0105]
In step 1106, the time dependence of the answer information corresponding to the search request from the user is calculated. The time dependency of the response information means how many hours the response is required, meaning whether the user is requesting that information be returned immediately, or whether the information can be returned after a predetermined time. It is. For example, road congestion information in the vicinity of the destination is necessary information when approaching the destination and does not require urgency, but it is desirable to immediately obtain road congestion information in the vicinity of the vehicle position. The time dependency is expressed by an index such as time.
[0106]
In step 1107, when it is determined that the time dependency is low from the time dependency of the response information obtained in step 1102, that is, when the response information is low in urgency, the response information is returned by broadcast in step 1113. Operates to transition to processing. This is because communication cost increases when information of low urgency is transferred by bidirectional communication.
[0107]
By using this function, if the response information is less urgent information, a broadcast with a lower communication cost is selected, so data can be transferred from the information providing center to the mobile unit at a low cost and with a high probability. The effect of being able to be obtained.
[0108]
In step 1108, the communication line quality of the communication line 14 is calculated. The quality of a communication line can be determined by the ratio of the rated data transfer rate of the communication line and the data transfer rate at the time of data transfer. As the data transfer rate, a method is generally used in which a data transfer error is checked by parity or the like, and the data transfer rate is reduced until a data transfer rate at which no error occurs in data transfer. Further, a method of calculating the data transfer rate from the effective data transfer amount excluding the data transfer error may be used.
[0109]
In step 1109, when the communication line quality obtained in step 1108 is compared with the rating and it is determined that the quality is deteriorated from the predetermined quality, the process returns to step 1113, that is, reply information is returned by broadcasting. It operates to make a transition to the process. This is to prevent an increase in communication cost due to an increase in communication time when a communication path with poor communication line quality is used.
[0110]
When the quality of the communication line is deteriorated by using this function, a broadcast with higher communication quality is selected, so data is transferred from the information providing center 15 to the mobile body at a low cost and with a high probability. The effect that it can be obtained is obtained.
[0111]
Step 1110 is started when reply information is returned by two-way communication when the above step is executed. Information necessary for generating the reply information by accessing the content information server 205 from the search request set by the user stored in Step 1100 The response information is formatted into a predetermined format.
[0112]
In step 1111, the reply information generated in step 1110 is sent back to the bidirectional communication device 11 provided in the mobile body 10 via the first bidirectional communication terminal 200 and the communication line 14.
[0113]
In step 1112, the communication line connected to the first two-way communication terminal 200 is disconnected on the condition that the transmission of the response information has been completed.
[0114]
Step 1113 shown in FIG. 10 is started when reply information is returned by broadcasting, and compares the current location information of the mobile unit stored in Step 1100 with the service area of each broadcasting station stored in the broadcasting station data server 208. Then, it is determined whether the mobile body is present in the service area of any broadcasting station. If the mobile object does not exist in the service area of any broadcasting station, reply information cannot be returned using broadcast, so the process is returned to step 1110, which is a process of returning reply information using two-way communication. Transition.
[0115]
When reply information is returned by broadcasting after a predetermined time after receiving the position information from the mobile body, the response information is broadcast from the current estimated position information of the mobile body estimated by the vehicle position estimation means 206. It operates to select the broadcasting station 16 to be made to operate.
[0116]
In step 1114, for the broadcasting station 16 whose service area is the area where the searched mobile object is located, whether there is sufficient line capacity remaining to superimpose answer information in the broadcast signal from the present time to a predetermined time. Inquire. The predetermined time may be set to be short when it is necessary to return the response information in a short time and to be long when the time dependency is low, depending on the time dependency of the answer information. Note that the second bidirectional communication terminal 203 is used for the inquiry.
[0117]
In Step 1115, when the response is obtained that there is not enough line margin in Step 1114, the above Step 1110, that is, the method of returning the response information by two-way communication, The processing transitions to step 1116, that is, a method of returning reply information by broadcasting.
[0118]
In step 1116, information such as a broadcasting station that transmits a broadcast, a broadcast channel, a scheduled broadcast start time, a scheduled broadcast end time, a data amount of response information, and an ID and a password for obtaining response information to be received from the broadcast are determined. Notification is made to the moving body via the bidirectional communication means (first bidirectional communication terminal 200, communication line 14, bidirectional communication device 11).
[0119]
The broadcast station 16 that transmits the broadcast is selected based on the information regarding the service area of each broadcast station stored in the broadcast station data server 208, with the area where the mobile is located serving as the service area. As a broadcast channel, a channel being received by the broadcast receiving device 12 in the mobile 10 is preferentially selected. The scheduled broadcast start time and the scheduled broadcast end time are estimated from the degree of congestion of the broadcast signal. Here, the degree of congestion is calculated by, for example, (amount of broadcast data already reserved when broadcasting response information / maximum data amount of the broadcast line). That is, the higher the congestion degree, the more reserved data, and it becomes difficult to add broadcast data later.
[0120]
In step 1117, the communication line connected to the first bidirectional communication terminal 200 is disconnected on condition that the information communication in step 1116 has been completed.
[0121]
In step 1118, the content information server 205 is accessed from the search request set by the user stored in step 1100, information necessary for generating response information is extracted, and the response information is formatted into a predetermined format.
[0122]
In step 1119, the response information generated in step 1118, the channel information, the ID and password for obtaining the response information to be received from the broadcast are used for the second interactive communication terminal 203, and the position of the mobile unit is set in the service area. To the broadcasting station 16.
[0123]
The broadcast station 16 superimposes and broadcasts the information transmitted from the information providing center 15 on the general broadcast. The broadcast receiving device 12 in the mobile body 10 receives this signal and decodes the target answer information, so that the target answer information can be obtained.
[0124]
【The invention's effect】
In the broadcast type information providing system described above, the present invention operates so as to select an optimal communication path and an optimal broadcasting station and to provide response information to the user. You will be able to reply with high speed, low cost, and stability.
[0125]
Furthermore, according to the present invention, the broadcast receiving device provided in the mobile body operates so that the power is dynamically turned on and off depending on whether or not the reply information is returned, thereby reducing the power consumption of the system. Also contribute.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a system configuration example of a broadcast type information providing system.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of a processing block of the information processing apparatus.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of a processing block provided in a calculation unit.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of a broadcast receiving apparatus.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of an information providing center.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a broadcasting system.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing flow executed by a calculation unit.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing flow executed by a calculation unit.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing flow executed by the answer information generating apparatus.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow executed by the answer information generating apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Mobile body, 11 ... Two-way communication apparatus, 12 ... Broadcast receiving apparatus, 13 ... Information processing apparatus, 14 ... Communication line, 15 ... Information provision center, 16 ... Broadcasting station, 100 ... Calculation part, 101 ... Display, 102 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS Information storage device 103 Voice input / output device 104 Input device 105 Wheel speed sensor 106 Geomagnetic sensor 107 Gyro 108 GPS receiver 109 LAN 120 User operation analysis means 121 ... route calculation means, 122 ... route storage means, 123 ... route guidance means, 124 ... information display processing means, 125 ... current position calculation means, 126 ... map matching means, 127 ... data reading means, 128 ... search means, 129 ... Communication device control means, 130 ... graphics processing means, 140 ... antenna, 141 ... high frequency part, 142 ... demodulation part, 143 ... decode part, 144 ... power supply control part, 145 ... control part, 146 ... LAN, 200 ... first Two-way communication terminal, 201 ... communication control device, 203 ... second two-way communication terminal, 204 ... answer information Generating device, 205 ... Content information server, 206 ... Vehicle position estimation device, 207 ... Road network server, 300 ... Program supply unit, 301 ... Camera, 302 ... Video encoder, 303 ... Microphone, 304 ... Audio encoder, 310 ... Information processing 312 ... multiplexing device, 313 ... error correction coding device, 314 ... modulation device, 320 ... broadcasting unit, 321 ... transmitter, 322 ... transmitting antenna.

Claims (10)

In a broadcast-type information providing system configured to include a mobile device mounted on a mobile device and an information providing device that provides information to the mobile device.
The mobile body side device is:
A mobile communication means for performing bidirectional communication with the information providing apparatus;
Information requesting means for transmitting request information requested by a user to the information providing device via the mobile communication means;
Receiving means for receiving reply information to the request information transmitted from the information providing side device;
An information presenting means for presenting the received answer information to a user;
The information providing apparatus includes:
First information providing side communication means for performing bidirectional communication with the mobile side communication means ;
Before being sent from the mobile body via the first information providing side communication means
Response information editing means for generating response information to the request information;
A second information providing side communication means for communicating with a broadcasting facility that is broadcasting for a specific service area in order to transmit the answer information to the mobile body ;
Regarding the generation and transmission of the response information, an evaluation is performed for at least one of the time required to generate the response information and the time dependency of the response information, and the response information is determined according to the evaluation result of the item. broadcast information providing system characterized in that it comprises a control means for selecting any Kano means of broadcasting means through said first information providing side communication means and the broadcasting facilities when sending.   The broadcast type information providing system according to claim 1,
  When the time required for generating the response information is equal to or longer than a predetermined time with respect to the generation and transmission of the response information, the control unit selects a broadcasting unit through the broadcasting facility when transmitting the response information. thing
  A broadcast-type information provision system characterized by The broadcast type information providing system according to claim 1,
The control means evaluates the time dependence of the answer information with respect to the generation and transmission of the answer information, and when the urgency is lower than a predetermined value, the broadcasting means through the broadcasting facility when sending the answer information A broadcast-type information providing system characterized by selecting The broadcast type information providing system according to claim 2,
  The control means for selecting the broadcast means, when calculating the time required to generate the answer information, for extracting the information necessary for generating the answer information, and for shaping the answer information into a predetermined format Calculating by integrating time
  A broadcast-type information provision system characterized by The broadcast type information providing system according to claim 3,
  The control means for selecting the broadcasting means evaluates that the time dependency is high if the answer information is urgently needed when evaluating the time dependency of the answer information.
  A broadcast-type information provision system characterized by In a broadcast-type information providing system configured to include a mobile device mounted on a mobile device and an information providing device that provides information to the mobile device.
The mobile body side device is:
Destination setting means for setting the destination of the mobile body;
Position measuring means for measuring the position of the moving body;
A mobile communication means for performing bidirectional communication with the information providing apparatus;
Information requesting means for transmitting request information indicating the user's request content, the measured position information of the mobile body, and information on the destination to the information providing apparatus by the mobile body side communication means;
Receiving means for receiving reply information to the request information transmitted from the information providing apparatus;
An information presenting means for presenting the received answer information to a user;
The information providing apparatus includes:
A first information providing side communication means for performing bidirectional communication with the mobile side communication means;
An answer information editing means which generates answer information to said first of said request information via the providing-side communication means information transmitted from the moving body,
A second information providing side communication means for communicating with a broadcasting facility that is broadcasting for a specific service area in order to transmit the answer information to the mobile body;
Position estimation for estimating the position of the mobile body at the time of receiving the answer information from the position information and the destination information sent from the mobile body via the first information providing side communication means Means for selecting a broadcasting facility that includes the position of the mobile body estimated by the position estimating means in the service area, to the selected broadcasting facility via the second information providing communication means A broadcast type information providing system comprising: control means for transmitting answer information and broadcasting the answer information from the selected broadcasting facility. In a broadcast-type information providing system configured to include a mobile device mounted on a mobile device and an information providing device that provides information to the mobile device.
The mobile body side device includes destination setting means for setting a destination of the mobile body, position measuring means for measuring the position of the mobile body, and mobile body communication means for performing bidirectional communication with the information providing side device. Request information indicating the user's request content , the measured position information of the mobile body, and information on the destination, information request means for transmitting to the information providing device by the mobile body side communication means, Broadcast receiving means for receiving response information to the request information broadcast from the information providing side device, and information presentation means for presenting the received answer information to the user,
The information providing side device includes a first information Hohisage test side communication means for the movable body side communication means and two-way communication, transmitted from the moving body via the first information providing side communication means Response information editing means for generating reply information to the request information, and the answer from the position information and the destination information sent from the mobile body via the first information providing side communication means Position estimating means for estimating the position of the moving body at the time of receiving information, and broadcasting means for transmitting the answer information to the moving body at the position of the moving body estimated by the position estimating means. Prepared,
The broadcast-type information providing system, wherein the mobile device further includes device control means for controlling the broadcast receiving means in order to receive the broadcast of the answer information by the broadcasting means. The broadcast type information providing system according to claim 7,
Said device control means, in response to said first information providing side information about a broadcast schedule of the communication means and the answer information transmitted via the movable body side communication synthetase stage, on the power of the broadcast receiving means A broadcast type information providing system that executes at least one of switching between off and receiving channel. An information providing side device of a broadcast type information providing system for providing information to a mobile side device mounted on a mobile body,
A first information providing side communication means for performing bidirectional communication with the mobile unit side device;
Reply information editing means for generating reply information to the request information sent from the mobile via the first information providing side communication means;
A second information providing side communication means for communicating with a broadcasting facility that is broadcasting for a specific service area in order to transmit the answer information to the mobile body;
Position estimation for estimating the position of the mobile body at the time of receiving the answer information from the position information and the destination information sent from the mobile body via the first information providing side communication means Means,
Selecting a broadcast facility including the position of the movable body estimated by the position estimation means in its service area, the answer information via the second information providing side communication means to the broadcasting facility that is the selected An information providing side device of a broadcast type information providing system, comprising: a control means for transmitting and broadcasting the answer information from the selected broadcasting facility. An information providing side device of a broadcast type information providing system for providing information to a mobile side device mounted on a mobile body,
A first information providing side communication means for performing bidirectional communication with the mobile unit side device;
Response information editing means for generating response information to the request information sent from the mobile via the first information providing side communication means;
A second information providing side communication means for communicating with a broadcasting facility that is broadcasting for a specific service area in order to transmit the answer information to the mobile body ;
Regarding the generation and transmission of the response information, an evaluation is performed for at least one of the time required to generate the response information and the time dependency of the response information, and the response information is determined according to the evaluation result of the item. information providing side device of a broadcasting type information providing system characterized in that it comprises a control means for selecting any Kano means of broadcasting means through said first information providing side communication means and the broadcasting facilities when sending.

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