JP7617664B2 - System, notification terminal, server device and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a driving assistance system that assists vehicle driving by providing information on various traffic monitoring activities such as traffic enforcement and checkpoints.

Conventionally, in-vehicle devices such as radar detectors that issue an alarm when they receive radar waves from speed enforcement to alert the driver have been implemented as driving assistance systems to assist vehicle driving. Some such in-vehicle devices have a GPS function for locating the current position of the vehicle and a database of GPS content such as the installation points of speed enforcement systems, and can detect the approach of specific GPS content and notify the driver of this (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The GPS content that the in-vehicle device reports to the driver when it is approaching includes permanent points such as speed enforcement points and police stations, as well as temporary points where mobile speed cameras are used to enforce speed limits and traffic monitoring activities such as drunk driving checkpoints are frequently carried out. By reporting the approach of various GPS content, the in-vehicle device aims to draw the driver's attention to road safety.

However, the conventional driving assistance system has the following problem. That is, unlike permanent points where there is always a target to be notified, even if a notification is given of the approach to a temporary point, it is unclear whether traffic monitoring activities are currently being carried out at that temporary point, and the driver must individually judge the degree of risk based on the content of the notification.

JP 2007-248180 A

The present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems in the conventional technology, and is a system that supports driving by providing information on various traffic monitoring activities such as traffic control and checkpoints, and is an invention that aims to provide a driving support system with improved real-time performance.

One aspect of the present invention is a posting terminal capable of posting information including type information indicating a type of traffic monitoring activity carried out to promote traffic safety and location information indicating a monitoring location where the traffic monitoring activity is being carried out;
a server device that generates and distributes distribution information including type information and location information related to traffic monitoring activities by integrating multiple pieces of posted information that have a common traffic monitoring activity as a posting target among the posted information from multiple posting terminals;
and a notification terminal that receives the delivery information delivered from the server device and notifies the driver of the delivery information.

One aspect of the present invention is a posting terminal that is capable of posting information including type information indicating the type of traffic monitoring activity carried out to promote traffic safety and location information indicating the monitoring location, and that constitutes the driving assistance information distribution system that constitutes another aspect of the present invention.

One aspect of the present invention is a notification terminal that constitutes the driving support information distribution system of another aspect of the present invention, capable of acquiring and reporting distribution information including type information of traffic monitoring activities carried out to promote traffic safety and location information of monitoring locations.

One aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the program,
Another aspect of the present invention resides in a server program for implementing the functions of a server device constituting the driving support information distribution system.

One aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the program,
Another aspect of the present invention resides in a posting program for implementing the functions of the posting terminal.

One aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the program,
Another aspect of the present invention resides in a notification program for implementing the functions of the notification terminal.

By using the posting terminal according to the present invention, it is possible to generate posting information including type information indicating the type of traffic monitoring activity carried out to promote traffic safety and location information indicating the monitoring location, and to post the information to a server device. The server device generates distribution information including type information and location information related to the traffic monitoring activity by integrating multiple pieces of posting information that share a common traffic monitoring activity to be posted. The notification terminal is capable of notifying the distribution information distributed from the server device.

While the distributed information can be, for example, highly real-time information generated based on the posted information, the accuracy of the posted information varies, and some of the information may be correct and some may be incorrect. If multiple pieces of posted information of uncertain authenticity are distributed as is, there is a risk of confusion on the notification terminal side as to which information to trust. In particular, if the notification terminal is installed in a vehicle or a portable notification terminal is brought into the vehicle, for example, if such posted information is distributed as is while the driver is driving, there is a risk of it interfering with driving.

On the other hand, the distributed information in the present invention may be information with improved accuracy, for example, by integrating multiple pieces of posted information. This distributed information, for example, combines real-timeness based on posted information with improved accuracy through information integration. Distributed information that combines real-timeness and accuracy can be useful information for drivers.

As described above, the present invention is a system that assists driving by providing information on traffic monitoring activities such as traffic enforcement and checkpoints, and is a useful invention for realizing a driving assistance system with improved real-time performance.

Traffic monitoring activities that are the subject of posted information in the present invention include traffic enforcement such as speed control, parking enforcement, and seat belt enforcement, as well as checkpoints such as drunk driving checkpoints and seat belt checkpoints.
The server device in the present invention may have both the function of receiving the posted information and the function of transmitting the distributed information, and the server receiving the posted information and the server receiving the distributed information may be connected by a dedicated line, a dedicated communication line, a public communication line, or the like.

In a preferred embodiment of the driving assistance system of the present invention, the server device treats multiple pieces of posted information whose posting time falls within a predetermined time period and whose monitoring location falls within a predetermined range as posted information targeting the same traffic monitoring activity.

The time related to the posting of the posted information may be the time when the posted information was generated, the time when the posted information was posted, the time when the traffic monitoring activity related to the posted information was witnessed, etc. By combining the temporal proximity of the time related to the posting within a specified time period with the spatial proximity of whether the monitoring location is within a specified range, posted information targeting the same traffic monitoring activity can be extracted with high certainty, and highly accurate distribution information can be generated. The time when the posted information was generated and the time when the target traffic monitoring activity was witnessed must be specified on the posting terminal side. Regarding the posted time, the time when the posted information was sent may be specified on the posting terminal side, or the time when the posted information was received may be specified on the server device side. When the time specified on the posting terminal side is used on the server device side, it is preferable to include time information indicating that time in the posted information.

The location information representing the monitoring location in a driving system of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is information that can identify not only the monitoring location where the traffic monitoring activity is being carried out, but also the direction of travel of the vehicle that is the target of the traffic monitoring activity.
Except for one-way roads, roads are generally ones on which vehicles can travel in both directions. Some traffic monitoring activities on roads, such as speed enforcement and checkpoints, are targeted at only one direction of travel. If the distributed information can identify the direction of travel targeted by the traffic monitoring activity, it will be more useful for drivers who are driving on the road where the traffic monitoring activity is being carried out. This is because the importance of the distributed information is completely different depending on whether the driver is driving in the direction of travel targeted by the traffic monitoring activity or in the opposite direction.

The server device in a driving assistance system of a preferred embodiment of the present invention evaluates the degree of certainty, which is the degree of reliability of the posted information, and when integrating multiple posted information to generate the distribution information, changes the handling of each posted information depending on the degree of certainty.
Examples of handling posted information according to accuracy include the following. For example, the distribution information is generated using only posted information with a certain accuracy or higher. For example, when posted information with a certain accuracy or lower is posted multiple times, it is handled as one piece of posted information. For example, posts of the same type within a radius of 100 m are treated as one piece of posted information.

The server device in the driving assistance system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention evaluates the accuracy of the corresponding posted information depending on whether the poster of the posted information is identifiable or not and the poster's posting history.
In general, it is possible to estimate that information posted by a specific person is more accurate than information posted by an unspecified person. It is also possible to assign points to a specific poster based on the number of times the poster has posted correct information, and to use the points when evaluating the accuracy of the information posted by the specific poster.

The posting terminal in the driving gaze system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a dedicated machine in which the posting function of the posted information is pre-installed, and a general-purpose machine in which a user can select and install various application programs including an application program for installing the posting function of the posted information,
The server device evaluates the accuracy of the posted information depending on whether the posted information is information posted from a dedicated machine or information posted from a general-purpose machine.

The introduction costs for users to use the posting function and the expectations for the distributed information differ between dedicated and general-purpose machines. For example, if the application program for a general-purpose machine is free software, there is a possibility that a user who is not very interested in the distributed information may post malicious information. On the other hand, considering that a dedicated machine has been purchased, it can be assumed that the poster from the dedicated machine has expectations for the distributed information. For this reason, it is better to evaluate the accuracy of the information posted by the dedicated machine more highly than that of the information posted by the general-purpose machine, for example, when the level of detail of the posted information itself and the quality of the information are roughly the same.

The server device in the driving assistance system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention evaluates the accuracy of the posted information by referring to information relating to the implementation status of past traffic monitoring activities.
For example, if speed enforcement is posted at a location where speed enforcement by mobile speed cameras is frequent, the accuracy of the posted information can be highly rated. On the other hand, if speed enforcement is posted at a location where speed enforcement by mobile speed cameras has never been implemented, the accuracy of the posted information can be initially rated low, while when similar posted information is posted multiple times, the accuracy of the first posted information can be reevaluated.
The information on the implementation status of past traffic monitoring activities may be, for example, the implementation history of past traffic monitoring activities or existing traffic information previously stored regarding traffic monitoring activities. In particular, existing traffic information that has already been accumulated by an in-vehicle device such as a radar detector without relying on posted information may be used as information on the implementation status of past traffic monitoring activities. Furthermore, information that takes into account past posted information to such already accumulated existing traffic information may be used as "information on the implementation status of past traffic monitoring activities."

In a server device in a driving system of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the posted information is handled differently depending on whether the posted information is received before or after the distribution information regarding the corresponding traffic monitoring activity is distributed.
Before distribution, the traffic monitoring activity to be posted appears unexpectedly, and it is necessary for any poster to determine its type, etc., in a short time before passing by. The operation of registering the location of the traffic monitoring activity tends to be performed after passing the location, and the actually registered location may be shifted forward in the direction of travel from the actual location. On the other hand, after distribution, since it is known in advance that the traffic monitoring activity of the type related to the distribution information is being performed, the accuracy of the determination of whether the type of the traffic monitoring activity actually being performed is as described in the distribution information tends to be high. In addition, since the poster approaches the location with a high interest in whether the traffic monitoring activity is actually being performed at the location related to the distribution information, the registered location is likely to be exactly the actual location. Alternatively, if the poster is impatient, the registered location may be shifted forward from the actual location. By taking such circumstances into consideration, the accuracy of the distribution information, including the position accuracy, can be improved.

The server device in the driving assistance system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention determines whether or not to distribute the information and the duration of the distribution depending on the type of traffic monitoring activity.
For example, the duration of traffic monitoring activities such as speed enforcement by mobile speed cameras is generally known, and they do not continue for 24 hours. It is advisable to determine the distribution time of the distribution information based on such knowledge.
On the other hand, there is a tendency that information related to fixed speed enforcement, N systems, etc. requires accuracy close to 100% rather than real-timeness. Therefore, for posted information related to fixed speed enforcement, N systems, etc., rather than immediately distributing the information upon reception, it is better for the system operator's staff to go to the site and visually confirm the information, and then provide it to the user as confirmed information.

In a preferred embodiment of the driving assistance system of the present invention, a posting terminal is capable of posting cancellation information indicating that a traffic monitoring activity corresponding to the distribution information is not being carried out,
The server device evaluates the accuracy of the posted cancellation information, and determines whether or not to terminate distribution of the corresponding distribution information depending on the accuracy.
By accepting the posting of the cancellation information, it becomes possible to end the distribution as soon as possible after the corresponding traffic monitoring activity ends. It is possible to suppress, as quickly as possible, a situation in which the corresponding distribution information continues to be distributed even though the target traffic monitoring activity is not being performed. Furthermore, the cancellation information is also useful for quickly stopping the distribution of erroneous distribution information based on false posted information or for giving a negative evaluation to the poster of the false posted information.

In a preferred embodiment of the driving assistance system of the present invention, after receiving the posting of the cancellation information, when the server device distributes information regarding the corresponding traffic monitoring activity, it includes information that the cancellation information has been posted in the distribution information.
When determining the accuracy of the distribution information, the user can make a decision by taking into consideration whether the cancellation information has been posted. The fact that a corresponding traffic monitoring activity has not been carried out is the biggest factor that damages the user's trust in the distribution information. If the fact that the cancellation information has been posted is also notified when the distribution information is distributed, even if the corresponding traffic monitoring activity has not been carried out, the damage to the user's trust in the distribution information can be suppressed to a minimum. Note that the information that the cancellation information has been posted may be, for example, information indicating whether or not the cancellation information has been posted in the integrated posted information. In particular, it is preferable that the information indicate the number of posts of the cancellation information. For example, it is preferable to distribute the number of posts of the integrated posted information and the number of posts of the cancellation information among the number of posts.

The posting terminal according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a means for generating posted information in which the level of detail of the category information varies depending on the user's level of knowledge regarding traffic monitoring activities.
For example, if the target traffic monitoring activity is speed enforcement, the types include speed traps, mobile speed cameras, and tracking. Furthermore, for example, mobile speed cameras are classified into radar, stealth, photocell, and other types. A user who has a deep interest in traffic monitoring activities such as speed enforcement and can recognize the type of equipment or device at a glance can post detailed information. On the other hand, for a user who can recognize that the traffic monitoring activity is related to speed violations but has little knowledge about speed measurement, if detailed information is required when posting, the posting itself becomes difficult, and the user is likely to hesitate to post. Therefore, while a user with knowledge about traffic monitoring activities can generate detailed posting information, if users who do not have knowledge about traffic monitoring activities are able to simply post detailed information such as speed enforcement, posting by a variety of users can be promoted. If the amount of posted information that serves as an information source increases, the real-timeness and accuracy of the distributed information can be improved.

A posting terminal according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is capable of acquiring a current location, and generates the posted information by combining the type information generated by a user's operation with location information based on the acquired current location.
In this case, the accuracy of the location information included in the posted information can be improved. Examples of a configuration capable of acquiring the current location include a configuration having a positioning function using GPS, a configuration obtaining information on the current location from an external terminal having a GPS function, and the like.

A posting terminal in a preferred embodiment of the present invention is composed of a first terminal capable of generating the posting information in response to a user's operation, and a second terminal that acquires the posting information from the first terminal and transmits it to the server device.
the first terminal is a terminal capable of acquiring a current location and displaying a code image in which the posted information is recorded;
The second terminal may be a terminal capable of photographing the code image displayed by the first terminal and reading the recorded posted information.
The second terminal may be a smartphone (multi-function mobile terminal) equipped with a camera function, or a mobile terminal such as a game console equipped with a camera function and a communication function. The first terminal only needs to display a code image in which the posted information is recorded. Such a first terminal may be realized by a display screen of about 3 to 4 inches, or by a hardware configuration of an existing radar detector equipped with a GPS function.

A posting terminal according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is capable of displaying a map of a predetermined area including a point of interest, and is capable of registering the point of interest as a specific point by a user's operation,
The posted information is generated by associating the type of traffic monitoring activity selected by a user's operation with location information indicating a specific location registered in advance.
A specific location can be registered with high positional accuracy on the displayed map. Posted information generated through registration of such a specific location becomes information with high positional accuracy and high reliability.

A posting terminal according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is capable of acquiring a current location, and sets the current location as the point of interest.
In this case, by performing the registration operation for the specific location when passing the location of the traffic monitoring activity, i.e., when the current position is located very close to that location, the location of the traffic monitoring activity can be registered easily and with high location accuracy.

A notification terminal according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is capable of acquiring a current location and a current time, and selects which of the acquired distribution information to notify according to the current location and the current time.
In this case, appropriate information can be delivered according to the driving situation. For example, if delivery information of traffic monitoring activities at a location far away from the user's current location and where the user is not sure whether he or she will be heading in the future is delivered, the information will be of low value to the user. On the other hand, delivery information regarding traffic monitoring activities being carried out near the user's current location is of high value to the user, so it is good to deliver it. Furthermore, if the vehicle is equipped with a navigation function, it is good to deliver traffic monitoring activities at a location on the route calculated by the route calculation function at an early stage when the distance is still far.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the distribution information acquired by the notification terminal includes accuracy information indicating accuracy of the distribution information,
The notification mode is changed depending on the accuracy of the acquired distribution information.
If the notification mode is changed according to the accuracy of the distributed information, the user who received the notification can determine the accuracy of the distributed information and take appropriate action. If the traffic monitoring activity corresponding to the distributed information is not actually being carried out, there is a risk that the user's trust in the distributed information will be significantly damaged. However, if the user is also notified that the accuracy is low, the damage to the user's trust can be suppressed.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the notification terminal is capable of setting the relationship between the notification mode of the distribution information and the accuracy of the distribution information through an operation on the user side.
While there are users who do not want to be notified of distribution information whose authenticity is uncertain, there are also users who would like to be notified of all distribution information regardless of its authenticity and then make their own judgment. If the distribution information to be notified can be selected according to the user's operation as described above, it becomes possible to appropriately notify distribution information to various users.

The notification terminal according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention is capable of acquiring vehicle information that indicates the status of the vehicle in which it is installed, and changes the notification mode of distribution information in accordance with the acquired vehicle information.
The notification terminal according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention is capable of acquiring speed as the vehicle information, and changes the notification mode of the distributed information relating to speed enforcement in accordance with the acquired speed.
For example, when approaching a point where speed control traffic monitoring activities are being carried out and the vehicle is traveling at a high speed, it is advisable to output a voice notification of the corresponding distributed information or to generate an alarm to notify the driver to slow down. On the other hand, if a similar notification is given when the vehicle is traveling at a low speed due to traffic congestion, it may irritate the driver who is unable to speed up at all. In such a situation, it is advisable to refrain from notifying the driver of the distributed information in response to the approach.

The notification terminal according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is capable of notifying the distribution information, and is also capable of notifying existing traffic information that is stored in advance regarding traffic monitoring activities.
The notification of traffic regulation information is suitable for notification of traffic monitoring activities such as fixed speed enforcement. On the other hand, the notification of distribution information is suitable for notification of traffic monitoring activities that require real-time performance such as mobile speed cameras, checkpoints, and patrols by police cars. By combining the two, it is possible to provide detailed support for the safe driving of the user, the driver.

A notification terminal according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is capable of acquiring a current location and notifying information on traffic monitoring activities carried out within a predetermined area based on the current location,
When notifying the user of information relating to traffic monitoring activities, the notification is made in such a way that the user can distinguish whether the notification is based on the distribution information or the existing traffic information.
The distributed information is superior to the traffic regulation information in terms of real-timeness, but is inferior in terms of accuracy. If the distributed information is reported separately from the traffic regulation information, the user can determine how to effectively use the distributed information in consideration of the above-mentioned characteristics.

The notification terminal according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is integrated with the posting terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention.
In this case, it is convenient for the user because it is possible to post information and view distributed information using one terminal.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a driving assistance system in a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a server in the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a posting evaluation for each member in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an evaluation method for a comprehensive evaluation in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the mobile terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the mobile terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which a mobile terminal is mounted on a vehicle in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the mobile terminal according to the first embodiment. 4A to 4C are diagrams showing screen transitions of posting software (posting application) in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a front view showing various setting screens in the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a standby/posting screen of the mobile terminal in the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a pin list screen in the first embodiment. 10A to 10C are diagrams showing screen transitions when posting information is generated in the first embodiment. 10A to 10C are diagrams showing screen transitions when posting information is generated in the first embodiment. 10A to 10C are diagrams showing screen transitions when posting information is generated in the first embodiment. 10A to 10C are diagrams showing screen transitions when posting information is generated in the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a list of posted information for a traffic monitoring activity in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a condition of temporal proximity in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a method for setting a reference point of locational proximity in the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a standby/posting screen during an alert for a traffic monitoring activity in the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a data display screen relating to posting target information in the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a warning screen (standby/posting screen) in the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a warning screen (standby/posting screen) in the first embodiment. A figure showing the notification screen (waiting/posting screen) for public enforcement information in Example 1. FIG. 11 is a front perspective view showing a radar detector according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view showing a radar detector according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a radar detector in a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an alarm setting of a radar detector in the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a map screen displayed by a radar detector in the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an alarm screen (map screen) in the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an alarm screen (map screen) in the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of data specifications of posted information in the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the contents of each piece of data constituting posted information in the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of data values of a control direction in the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a menu screen in the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a pin setting screen in the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a menu screen in the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a menu screen in the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a GPS search screen in the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a screen transition when starting posting in the second embodiment. 13A to 13C are diagrams showing screen transitions when generating posted information in the second embodiment. 13A to 13C are diagrams showing screen transitions when generating posted information in the second embodiment. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a screen transition when deleting a posted pin in the second embodiment. A front view showing a map screen displaying public enforcement information in Example 2. FIG. 13 is a front view showing a notification screen for posted information in the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a message configuration that is scrolled and displayed in the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a front view showing another notification screen of posted information in the third embodiment.

The embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described using the following examples.
Example 1
This example relates to a driving support system that distributes posting target information (distribution information) based on posted information, and the contents thereof will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in Fig. 1, the driving support system 1 of this embodiment is composed of a posting server (server device) 11, a member management server (My Yupiteru Server) 12, a mobile terminal 2 having the functions of both a posting terminal and a notification terminal, and the like. In Fig. 1, reference numeral 101A indicates the configuration of the posting terminal of this embodiment, and reference numeral 101B indicates the configuration of the notification terminal of this embodiment. Reference numerals 102A and 102B indicate the configuration of the posting terminal or notification terminal described in Example 2. In addition, instead of this embodiment, the posting server 11 and the member management server 12 may be integrated, or may be connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a dedicated line. The posting server 11 and the member management server 12 may be installed in the same place, or may be installed in different places.

(Member management server)
1 and 2, the member management server 12 is a server device that manages members registered on the driving assistance system 1 of this example. The member management server 12 is equipped with a control board (control unit) on which a CPU that executes arithmetic processing, memory elements such as ROM and RAM, a hard disk drive (HDD), etc., and also has a communication port such as a LAN port as an external interface. The member management server 12 is connected to a public communication line via the communication port, enabling information communication with the posting server 11.

A user management database 121 for managing members is provided in the storage area of the hard disk drive accessible from the control unit. In the user management database 121, the member ID (My Yupiteru ID), which is identification information, the login password, the poster ID, which is identification information at the time of posting, personal user information, information on locations personally registered by the member (My Yupiteru points), etc. are stored and managed for each member. The member management server 12 in this example, which has the user management database 121, functions as an authentication means for authenticating the member ID queried by the posting server 11.

(Posting server)
The posting server 11 is a server device that distributes posting target information that integrates the posting information. The posting server 11 includes a control board (control unit) on which a CPU that executes arithmetic processing, memory elements such as ROM and RAM, a hard disk drive (HDD), and the like are mounted, as well as a communication port such as a LAN port as an external interface. The posting server 11 is connected to a public communication line via the communication port, enabling information communication between the posting server 11 and the mobile terminal 2, etc.

The storage area of the hard disk drive accessible from the control unit includes a GPS target information database 111 that stores information regarding traffic monitoring activities, and a user status database 113 that manages posted ratings for each member.
The storage area of the GPS target information database 111 includes an existing GPS area for storing existing traffic information, which is information on traffic monitoring activities that have been confirmed by the system, a posting area for temporarily storing posted information for each traffic monitoring activity, a distribution area for storing posting target information to be distributed, and a new information area for storing past posting target information whose distribution has been completed. The posting target information in the new information area is a candidate for existing traffic information to be newly added to the existing GPS area. The GPS target information database 111 may be formed using a single storage means such as a hard disk, or may be formed using multiple storage means such as a hard disk and a flash ROM.

Existing traffic information for existing GPS areas is driving support information (POI data) that combines location information indicating the location and area with information on traffic monitoring facilities such as installed speed cameras, past traffic enforcement activities such as seat belt enforcement and drunk driving checkpoints, and the frequency of accidents.
The posted information in the posting area is unprocessed information posted from the mobile terminal 2. As will be described in detail later with reference to Fig. 17, in this posting area, the posted information for each traffic monitoring activity is managed in a list in the order in which it was posted.
The posting target information for a distribution area is ongoing information that integrates multiple posting information that share a common traffic monitoring activity.
The posting target information in the new information area is past posting target information whose distribution has ended. This posting target information may be newly registered as existing traffic information after being checked by a system administrator. For example, if posted information related to an N system (automobile number plate reading system) that is not registered as existing traffic information is stored, the system staff can visually check it on-site and then newly register it as existing traffic information. For example, if posted information or posting target information related to a checkpoint that is not registered as existing traffic information is frequently recorded, the system administrator can consider registering it as existing traffic information depending on the frequency, etc.

As shown in Figure 3, the posting evaluation stored in the user status database 113 includes the following evaluation items: total number of posts, number of correct posts (number of correct posts), number of incorrect posts, ratio of correct posts to all posts (correct post rate), and overall evaluation. Overall evaluation points are points awarded according to the number of correct posts and the correct post rate, as shown in Figure 4. In the user status database 113, data for each evaluation item is managed for each poster (member). Note that for members who are prohibited from posting based on their past posting history, a posting prohibition flag is set in the overall evaluation data area. In this example, the overall evaluation points are treated as the accuracy of the information posted by that poster.

The posting server 11 of this embodiment realizes the functions of the following means by causing the CPU to execute a server program, which is a computer program pre-installed on the CPU.
(1) Post Receiving Means: A means for receiving posted information from the mobile terminal 2 or the like via a public communication line.
(2) Posting permission means: means for determining whether or not to permit acceptance of received posted information. The posting permission means refers to the user status database 113 (FIG. 2) using the member ID included in the posted information and determines whether or not to permit it. It refuses to accept information posted by members with a posting prohibition flag attached, and permits acceptance of other posted information.
(3) Sorting Means: A means for sorting the received posted information by traffic monitoring activity and storing the information in a posting area of the GPS target information database 111 (FIG. 2). The sorting means sorts the received posted information based on three conditions: spatial proximity of the position of the posting target (monitoring position or monitoring area of the traffic monitoring activity), temporal proximity regarding the time when the position was recorded, and commonality of the type of traffic monitoring activity.
(4) Post target information generating means: A means for generating post target information by integrating multiple pieces of post information classified as having a common traffic monitoring activity. The generated post target information is stored in the distribution area of the GPS target information database 111 (FIG. 2).
(5) Distribution Means: A means for distributing posting target information. The distribution means distributes traffic assistance information to members who are registered on the driving assistance system 1 and who wish to receive the information and who have a terminal device that can be directly or indirectly connected to a public communication line.

In addition, instead of the posting server 11 in this example, which has the functions of accepting posting information, generating posting target information, and distributing the posting target information, each function may be configured as a separate server. The servers having these individual functions only need to be connected in a state in which they can communicate with each other, and may be installed in the same location, but they can also be installed in different locations.

(Mobile device)
The mobile terminal 2 of this example is a palm-sized flat smartphone (multi-function mobile phone) as shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. Most of the front surface is occupied by a touch panel 21 in which a touch sensor sheet 211 is laminated on a display screen of a liquid crystal display unit 212 (Fig. 8), and only a home button 2H for displaying a home screen (not shown) on the touch panel 21 is arranged beside the touch panel 21. A lens hole 220 fixed to a camera board 22 (Fig. 8) constituting an imaging means is provided on the rear surface of the mobile terminal 2. Although not shown in Figs. 5 and 6, a power button 200 (Fig. 8) and the like are arranged on the outer peripheral side surface. In the driving assistance system 1 of this example, the mobile terminal 2 is preferably used in a state where it is fixed to a dashboard of a vehicle using a vehicle holder 19 or the like as shown in Fig. 7.

As shown in FIG. 8, the mobile terminal 2 contains a control board on which an electric circuit constituting the control unit 20 is formed. The control unit 20 is electrically connected to a camera board 22 on which a CMOS element, a lens, etc. are mounted, an amplifier board 23 which drives a speaker 230, a power button 200, a touch sensor sheet 211, a liquid crystal display unit 212, a wireless transceiver 241, a GPS receiver 242, a clock unit 243, etc.

The wireless transceiver 241 is a means for performing wireless communication in a specific frequency band. In this example, the wireless transceiver 241 can transmit and receive digital voice data, which is a digitized telephone voice, via circuit switching, and can also transmit and receive digital data such as posted information, posting target information, application programs, and map data via packet communication.

The GPS receiver 242 is a receiver that receives GPS signals from GPS satellites and outputs the current time, location information of the current position (latitude and longitude), current speed, altitude, etc. The GPS receiver 242 is incorporated in the mobile terminal 2 body so that it is located in the upper center of the back side when in a vertical position as shown in FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 20 includes a CPU 201, memory elements ROM 202, flash ROM 203, and RAM 204, and an I/O unit 205 that serves as an input/output interface. ROM 202 stores various control programs including the BIOS. Flash ROM 203 stores various processing programs that have been installed. RAM 204 is a readable and writable memory element that is also used as a work area for CPU 201 and for temporary writing.

The control unit 20 causes the CPU 201 to execute programs read from the ROM 202 or the flash ROM 203, thereby realizing functions such as a telephone function, a data communication function, a map display function for displaying a map on the touch panel 21, a posting information generation function for generating posting information, a posting function for posting posting information, and an alarm function related to traffic monitoring activities. Each of the means for realizing these functions is formed in the control unit 20.

The posting information generation function and posting function are incorporated by installing dedicated posting software. This posting software can be downloaded from the application server 15, provided that the member has registered with the driving assistance system 1 (see FIG. 1). The posting software installed on the mobile terminal 2 incorporates encrypted data of the member ID and login password given to registered members. To start the posting software on the mobile terminal 2, the member ID and password given at the time of registration must be entered, and a perfect match between the information incorporated as encrypted data and the entered information is a condition for starting the posting software. In this example, the driving assistance system 1 requires the entry of a member ID, etc., when starting the posting software, thereby preventing posts from unspecified persons other than members.

The memory area of the flash ROM 203 is provided with a map database in which map data is stored, and a GPS target information database 111 in which GPS target information related to traffic monitoring activities is stored. The GPS target information includes existing traffic information such as N system installation information, posting target information distributed from a posting server, etc.
Map data (MAP data) can be downloaded from a server that provides maps (see FIG. 1). In this example, one of the application servers 15 of the posting software also serves as a map server.
The existing traffic information is stored in the GPS target information database 111 when the posting software is installed.
The posting target information is stored in the GPS target information when it is distributed, and is then deleted when a predetermined time has elapsed.

The memory area of the flash ROM 203 is further provided with a posting pin memory area for storing information on the traffic monitoring activity to be posted. The posting pin memory area can store up to four pieces of posting pin information on the traffic monitoring activity to be posted. The posting pin information is composed of the following information:
-Time information indicating the pin registration time when the posting pin was registered on the map (the registration time of the posting target location) -Location information of the monitoring location (the registration location of the posting pin) where traffic monitoring activities are carried out (latitude and longitude, address, enforcement direction with the vehicle's traveling direction reversed by 180 degrees)
- Activity content information (including type information) indicating the type, implementation, method, etc. of traffic monitoring activities

The basic operation of the portable terminal 2 of this embodiment will be described.
An icon of the posting software (not shown) is displayed on the home screen (not shown) of the mobile device 2 on which the posting software is installed. When the control unit 20 of the mobile device 2 receives a touch operation on this icon, the control unit 20 displays a start-up splash screen 21A on the touch panel 21, as shown in Fig. 9, and then displays a login screen 21B. The login screen 21B is a screen that prompts the user to enter a member ID and a login password registered on the driving assistance system 1 side.

The control unit 20 checks whether the member ID and login password entered via the login screen 21B exactly match the member ID and login password recorded in the posting software. When the control unit 20 is able to check the member ID and login password, it switches the display on the touch panel 21 to the home screen 21C. This home screen 21C is a screen that displays a map of the area around the point of interest, and at the bottom of the screen, in addition to a pin setting button 251 and a setting button 252, there are also arranged a web guidance button 255 for guiding the user to a radar detector product site on the Internet.

On the home screen 21C, the display area of the map is set so that the point of interest coincides with a predetermined position at the bottom center of the screen. The current position acquired by the GPS receiver is usually set as the point of interest. The control unit 20 sets the current position as the point of interest and displays the surrounding map on the home screen 21C unless a user operation to change the point of interest is input. While the vehicle is traveling, the display area of the map is changed as needed so that the vehicle mark 250 indicating the current position is located at a predetermined position at the bottom center of the screen.
A setting button 252 with a "spanner" mark at the bottom right of the home screen 21C is an operation button for displaying the various setting screen 21D of Fig. 10. In the various setting screen 21D, it is possible to change settings such as the warning display mode, the manner of audio output, the alarm priority setting, and the map display mode. A pin setting button 251 to the left of the setting button 252 is an operation button for registering a posting pin at a point of interest (usually the current location).
The home screen 21C is a basic screen that is displayed when no posting pin 262 has been registered. On the other hand, when one or more posting pins have been registered, the basic screen is the standby/posting screen 21E (FIG. 11) in FIG. 11 to which a posting button 253 for starting posting has been added.

When the control unit 20 displays the home screen 21C or the waiting/posting screen 21E as shown in Figs. 9 and 11, it refers to the GPS target information database 111 and acquires existing traffic information or posting target information around the current location. The control unit 20 scrolls and displays this information in the information display field 254, and also displays a target icon 261 at the corresponding position on the map. The information display field 254 displays text information that warns of traffic monitoring activities near the current location. Among the target icons 261 exemplified in Fig. 11, a circled H indicates a new H system, a circled N indicates an N system, and a circled P indicates parking. The display of this existing traffic information or posting target information will be explained in detail later.

Next, the operation of the driving assistance system of this example configured as described above will be described. Below, (1) the operation of posting information by the mobile terminal 2 (posting terminal 101A in FIG. 1), (2) the operation of generating and distributing post target information by the posting server 11 that has received the post information, and (3) the alarm operation by the mobile terminal 2 (alarm terminal 101B in FIG. 1) that has received the distribution of the post target information will be described in this order.

(1) Posting Operation of Post Information by the Portable Terminal 2 A posting operation in a situation where the vehicle is traveling and a map of the area around the current location is displayed on the home screen 21C or the standby/posting screen 21E will be described.
When a user of the posting software witnesses a traffic surveillance activity such as a mobile speed camera, the user can register the current location by touching the pin setting button 251 (FIG. 11) on the home screen 21C or the waiting/posting screen 21E. When the control unit 20 detects the touch operation of the pin setting button 251, the control unit 20 first obtains the time, the latitude and longitude of the current location, and the traveling direction from the GPS receiver 242 and temporarily stores them.

The control unit 20 checks for an empty area in the posting pin memory area and stores new posting pin information in the empty area. When a posting pin 262 is registered, time information and position information that form part of the posting pin information are stored based on the temporarily stored time, latitude and longitude, and traveling direction. The time information is the temporarily stored pin registration time. The position information is the temporarily stored latitude and longitude, the corresponding address, and the enforcement direction that is 180 degrees reversed from the temporarily stored traveling direction. If there is no space in the posting pin memory area, the posting pin 262 that is the earliest in terms of time is deleted, and the corresponding posting pin information stored in the posting pin memory area is deleted to secure an empty area. On the map displayed by the waiting/posting screen 21E, the posting pin 262 is set at a position corresponding to the position information of the posting pin information. Note that up to four posting pins 262 can be set, and numbers are assigned in order from the earliest registration time. The posting pin information in the posting pin memory area is stored in a state where it is associated with the pin number of the corresponding posting pin.

When the control unit 20 detects a touch operation of the post button 253, it displays on the touch panel 21 a pin list screen 21F (FIG. 12) that displays a list of posted pin information stored in the posted pin memory area. The pin list screen 21F has four pin selection buttons 256 for each posted pin, as well as a return button 257. To the right of each pin selection button 256, the corresponding posted pin information is displayed in text. This text display is a display of posted pin information excluding activity content information for traffic monitoring activities, and includes the pin registration time, latitude and longitude, address, and enforcement direction. In this example, the enforcement direction is set as required information for posted information, so in FIG. 12, the unregistered pin button 4 256 and the pin button 3 256 with an undetermined direction are inoperable.

In this example, the GPS function of the mobile terminal 2 measures the direction by measuring the Doppler shift of radio waves broadcast from multiple broadcasting stations, such as GNSS space segments (artificial satellites such as GPS, SBAS, GLONAS, and COMPASS), or mobile terminal base stations, or by using a relative method with past positioning points. After the 1st Fix is completed (after the first positioning is completed), the direction is confirmed when the vehicle speed reaches 10 km/h or more. After that, the direction measured varies depending on the driving, but the direction measurement remains in a confirmed state until the power is turned off. After the direction measurement is confirmed, the pin setting button 251 on the standby/posting screen 21E can be operated even if the current position is not measured, but the posting pin 262 is not set on the map and a search is displayed because the current position cannot be obtained (not shown). After that, the current position is obtained when the positioning state is restored, and the posting pin 262 is set.

When an operable pin selection button 256 (pin selection buttons 256 No. 1 and No. 2 in FIG. 12) on the pin list screen 21F is touched, the control unit 20 appropriately displays the posting screens 21G-K (FIGS. 13-16) on the touch panel 21, and generates activity content information to be stored as posted pin information.
The posting screen 21G is a screen for selecting a type (category) of a traffic monitoring activity. The posting screens 21H and 21I are screens for selecting an implementation form, a method, etc. of a traffic monitoring activity. The posting screen 21J is a screen for confirming the generated posted information. The posting screen 21K is a screen for displaying a message that posting has been completed.
Here, the types of traffic monitoring activities are speed cameras, N systems, checkpoints, and enforcement. The variations in the implementation and methods of traffic monitoring activities differ depending on the type of traffic monitoring activity. For example, with the N system, there are no variations in implementation and methods. On the other hand, for enforcement, there are variations such as speed traps and mobile speed cameras, and for mobile speed cameras, there are variations such as radar and stealth types. Whether or not the posting screens 21H and I are displayed during the posting operation differs depending on the type of traffic enforcement activity, etc.

Of the posting screens 21G-K, posting screens 21G, 21J, and 21K are screens that the user must visit regardless of the type of traffic monitoring activity in question. On the other hand, posting screens 21H and I are screens that the user may not visit depending on the type of traffic monitoring activity. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, when the type of traffic monitoring activity is an N system (automobile number reading system), there are no variations in the implementation form or method, so posting screens 21H and I are not displayed. On the other hand, when the type of traffic monitoring activity is enforcement, as shown in FIG. 15, the implementation form and method are subdivided, so posting screens 21H and I must be displayed to have the user enter information.

In the process of passing through the posting screens 21G-I, the control unit 20 generates activity content information corresponding to the operation button selected by the user operation, and stores it in the posting pin memory area as needed. The activity content information that is part of the posting pin information is confirmed when the posting screen 21J is reached. On this posting screen 21J, a posting button 259 and a return button 257 are arranged along with a text display of the generated posting information. When the control unit 20 detects a touch operation of the posting button 259, it reads out the corresponding posting pin information from the posting pin memory area and generates posting information by adding the poster's member information such as the member ID and the registered user ID. The control unit 20 transmits the generated posting information to the posting server 11, and when the transmission is completed, switches the display of the touch panel 21 to the posting screen 21K. This posting screen 21K is displayed for a few seconds, and then ends display in response to a return to the home screen 21C or the standby/posting screen 21E.

All of the posting screens 21H and I, except for the posting screen 21G that allows the user to select the implementation method and method of the traffic monitoring activity, have a selection button 258 called "Other/Unknown". When the "Other/Unknown" selection button 258 is operated, the control unit 20 confirms the activity content information stored in the posting pin memory area and immediately switches to the posting screen 21J without going through the sequence of the posting screen 21 illustrated in Figures 13 to 16. With the mobile terminal 2 of this example with such specifications, for example, even if a user does not know the difference between speed camera (speed violation) methods, he or she can relatively easily create posting information with a detailed level of "speed camera is installed" according to the user's knowledge level. On the other hand, a user with a high level of knowledge who is familiar with the difference between speed camera methods can create posting information with a high level of detail by selecting one of the methods on the posting screen 21I.

Also, as shown in FIG. 15, if the type is enforcement, the user can skip the posting screen 21I by selecting the "Other/Unknown" selection button 258 on the posting screen 21H. While users with a low level of knowledge may find it tedious to have posting screens 21 displayed one after another, the specification above of skipping part of the posting screen 21 is also effective in encouraging less knowledgeable users to post more.

The posted information posted by the above-described operation of the mobile terminal 2 includes the following information as displayed in text on the posting screen 21J. Of these, the time information and location information are information stored in the posting pin memory area when the posting pin 262 is registered, and the activity content information is information stored in the posting pin memory area in the process of passing through the posting screens 21G to I. The member information is added to the posting pin information read from the posting pin memory area when posting.
-Time information indicating the time of pin registration -Location information (latitude, longitude, address, direction) of the monitoring location where traffic monitoring activities are carried out
- Activity content information indicating the type, implementation, method, etc. of traffic monitoring activities - Membership information of the poster, such as member ID and registrant ID

(2) Generation and distribution of posting target information by posting server 11 When posting server 11 receives posting information from mobile terminal 2, it first requests authentication from member management server 12. When requested to be authenticated, member management server 12 uses the member information received from posting server 11 to refer to user management database 121 ( FIG. 2 ) and determine whether or not a corresponding member exists. If a corresponding member is validly present, member management server 12 returns the poster ID of that member.

When the posting server 11 is authenticated by the member management server 12, it refers to the user status database 113 and checks whether the posting user has a posting prohibition flag. The posting server 11 deletes posted information for which the posting prohibition flag is set without accepting it, while it executes an acceptance process for posted information for which the posting prohibition flag is not set. In this acceptance process, the posted information is first temporarily stored in association with the posting time (arrival time) of the posted information, and sorted for each traffic monitoring activity. In this sorting, other posted information that satisfies all of the following conditions is searched for in the posting area: a type commonality condition that the type of traffic monitoring activity is the same, a location proximity condition that the information is located within a radius of 100 m (predetermined range), and a time proximity condition that the posted information was posted within a predetermined time. When other posted information that satisfies all of the conditions is found, the newly accepted posted information is classified as having a traffic monitoring activity in common with the other posted information, and is stored in the posting area with a posting number in the order of acceptance, as in the posted information list in FIG. 17. On the other hand, if no past posted information that satisfies the conditions of commonality of type, proximity in location, and proximity in time is stored in the posting area, the posting server 11 creates a new list of posted information similar to that shown in FIG. 17, starting from the newly received posted information (posting number 001).

When adding new posted information to the posted information list of FIG. 17, the posting server 11 refers to the user status database 113 using the poster ID of the new posted information to inquire about the poster's posting evaluation. As described above with reference to FIG. 3, the posting evaluation items for each poster include the total number of posts, the number of correct posts, the number of incorrect posts, the correct posting rate, and the overall evaluation. When adding new posted information to the posted information list of FIG. 17, the posting server 11 adds up the points of the poster's overall evaluation (FIG. 3) to calculate and store the accumulated points. As will be described in detail later, the accumulated points are used as an evaluation value for the accuracy of the posting target information based on the posted information. Note that in this example, all posted information is recorded as in FIG. 17, but instead, posted information whose overall evaluation points are below a reference point may be deleted without being registered in the list of FIG. 17.

The information detail level in the posted information list in FIG. 17 is a value that indicates the degree of detail of the activity content information included in the posted information. Posted information generated by making a significant selection other than "other" on both posting screens 21H and I (FIGS. 13 to 16) has a detail level of 3, posted information generated by making a significant selection on only one of posting screens 21H and I has a detail level of 2, and posted information generated by making a significant selection on only posting screen 21G has a detail level of 1. Naturally, for an N system in which there is no distinction between implementation forms and methods and posting screens 21H and I are not presented, the information detail level of all posted information is level 1. On the other hand, the information detail level of a mousetrap, which has various types, implementation forms, and methods and is presented on posting screens 21H and I, varies depending on the posted information, from detail levels 1 to 3.

Here, the conditions for sorting newly received posted information, ie, the conditions of temporal proximity and the conditions of location proximity, will be described.
The condition of temporal proximity is that the pin registration time of the new posted information is included within a predetermined time based on the pin registration time of the preceding posted information. This predetermined time is set differently for each posted information, as shown in FIG. 18, depending on the overall evaluation (FIG. 3) of the poster of the preceding posted information and the traffic volume of the monitoring location. The higher the overall evaluation points in the posting evaluation, the longer the predetermined time is set. In addition, the higher the traffic volume that is expected in advance depending on whether the monitoring location is in an urban or rural area, whether it is on a main road, the number of vehicles owned in the jurisdiction of the police station to which the monitoring location belongs, etc., the shorter the predetermined time is set, and the lower the traffic volume is set.

As shown in FIG. 18, for example, after receiving a first posted information, if a second posted information that satisfies the two conditions of locational proximity and type commonality is received, and its arrival time is within the specified time period set for the first posted information (the time indicated by the downward arrow in the figure), the second posted information is classified as having a common traffic monitoring activity. Also, for example, after receiving a fourth posted information, a fifth posted information that satisfies the two conditions above has an arrival time that is after the specified time period set for the fourth posted information, but is within the specified time period set for the third posted information. As a result, the fifth posted information is classified as having a common traffic monitoring activity with the third posted information, just like the fourth posted information.

The condition for locational proximity is that the location of the new posted information is within a radius of 100 m from the reference point. The position of this reference point changes from time to time as the posted information is sorted in sequence, as shown in FIG. 19. Here, B1, B2, B3, etc. represent each piece of posted information before the corresponding posting target information is distributed, and A1, A2, A3, etc. represent each piece of posted information after the corresponding posting target information is distributed. The number following A or B indicates the order in which it was posted. For example, the posted information of B1 is the first posted information that is the starting point. A1 is the first posted information after the corresponding posting target information is distributed. The up and down direction in the figure represents the passage of time. The left and right direction represents the position of the posted target on the road in the forward and backward directions where the traffic monitoring activity is carried out. With respect to the traveling direction of the vehicle, the right side represents the backward side, and the left side represents the forward side.

When the posting server 11 receives posting information B1, which is the starting point, it first sets the corresponding monitoring location as the initial reference point 1 (point circled 1 in FIG. 19). Thereafter, when new posting information B2 is received regarding a traffic monitoring activity of the same type, the monitoring location is set within a range of a 100 m radius centered on this reference point 1, and a location halfway between the monitoring location of this posting information B2 and reference point 1 is set as a new reference point 2. When new posting information B3 is received regarding a traffic monitoring activity of the same type, the monitoring location is set within a range of a 100 m radius centered on this reference point 2 (point circled 2), and a location away from reference point 2 toward the monitoring location (B3) by a distance equal to the distance between the monitoring location (B3) of this posting information B3 and reference point 2 divided into thirds is set as a new reference point 3 (point circled 3). While reference point 2 is a point based on two pieces of posted information, the monitoring position (B3) is a point based on only one piece of posted information, so the position of this reference point 3 is determined to be an intermediate position based on the idea of weighted average. Furthermore, if this reference point 3 is set in response to the reception of posted information B3 and then posted information B4 is grouped, a new reference point 3 is set at a position away from reference point 3 toward the monitoring position (B4) by a distance equal to the distance between the monitoring position (B4) of posted information B4 and reference point 2 divided into four.

The weighted average coefficient differs before and after the delivery of the post target information. Specifically, for the monitoring position of the posted information before delivery, the weighted average coefficient is set to 1, and for example, if the reference point is based on four pieces of posted information, the distance between the new monitoring position and the reference point is shifted toward the new monitoring position by 5 equal parts. On the other hand, for the monitoring position of the posted information after delivery, the weighted average coefficient is set to 2, and for example, if the reference point is based on six pieces of posted information, the distance between the new monitoring position and the reference point is shifted by 2 times the distance divided by 8 equal parts.

The reason for the different handling of the posting target information before and after its distribution will be explained below. Before distribution, traffic monitoring activities suddenly appear for all posters, and it is necessary to determine the type, etc., in the short time it takes to pass by. Therefore, the operation of registering the location of the traffic monitoring activity tends to occur after passing that location, and there is a high possibility that the location of the posting target that is actually registered will be shifted forward in the direction of travel (the direction of passing) from the actual location. On the other hand, after distribution, since it is known in advance that a traffic monitoring activity of the type related to the posting target information is being carried out, the accuracy of the judgment of whether the type of the traffic monitoring activity actually being carried out is as per the posting target information tends to be high. In addition, since the user approaches the location related to the posting target information while being highly interested in whether traffic monitoring activities are actually being carried out at that location, the registered location is likely to be exactly the actual location. As described above, by making the weighted average coefficient when determining the reference point different before and after distribution and increasing the coefficient of the monitoring position of the posting information after distribution, the posting information after distribution, which is expected to have a high accuracy of the monitoring position, can be quickly reflected in the position of the reference point, and the position accuracy can be improved.

The posting server 11 starts generating posting target information for distribution by integrating the posted information for traffic monitoring activities whose accumulated points in the posted information list of Fig. 17 have exceeded a predetermined reference point. This posting target information includes the following information:
-Time information indicating the earliest pin registration time among the posted information -Location information (latitude, longitude, address, direction) of the monitoring location where traffic monitoring activities are carried out
- Activity content information indicating the type, implementation, and method of traffic monitoring activities - Accuracy information indicating the degree of accuracy of the posting target information

The location information in the posting target information is set to the latitude and longitude of the average location of the most recent 10 posted information, the address corresponding to the latitude and longitude, and the average direction of the most recent 10 posted information. Note that the reference point (FIG. 19) for determining locational proximity may be set to the latitude and longitude and address in the location information included in the posted information.
When generating the activity content information from the posting target information, the posting server 11 refers to the posting evaluation for each poster (FIG. 3) and selects posted information by posters with an overall evaluation score of 7 points or more and a correct posting rate of 70% or more. If the difference in the activity content information of the selected posted information is only the level of detail and there are no differences in the implementation, method, etc., the activity content information of the posted information with the highest level of detail is set as the activity content information to be included in the posting target information. On the other hand, if there are differences in the implementation, method, etc., the activity content information determined by majority vote is included in the posting target information. If the decision cannot be made by majority vote, priority is given to the activity content information by posters that are detailed and have a high correct posting rate among the selected posted information.
The latest accumulated points are set as is to the accuracy information of the posting target information.

In this example, the posting server 11 stores all of the posting target information generated as described above in the latest information area, and distributes posting target information other than that of installed speed cameras and the N system using public communication lines. The posting server 11 stores posting target information related to installed speed cameras and the N system without distributing it, and then outputs it in response to an output operation by a system administrator, etc. Posting target information, which is also new information about installed speed cameras and the N system, is visually confirmed by system staff, and when visually confirmed, is registered in an existing GPS area (GPS target information database 111 in FIG. 2). The existing traffic information registered in this way is distributed to users of radar detectors and the like that warn of approaching GPS content such as speed cameras and the N system, and is then included in posting software that is downloaded to the mobile terminal 2.

(3) Alarm operation by the portable terminal 2 Next, an alarm by the portable terminal 2 will be described. The portable terminal 2 in this example can execute an alarm using existing traffic information incorporated in the GPS target information database 111 when the posting software is installed, and posting target information that is distributed and stored in the GPS target information database 111. Such an alarm is executed while the home screen 21C (FIG. 9) or the standby/posting screen 21E (FIG. 11) is displayed. On the home screen 21C or the standby/posting screen 21E after receiving the posting target information, as shown in FIG. 20, the target icon 261C of the existing traffic information is displayed as a circular mark, and the target icon 261R of the posting target information (distribution information) is displayed as a square mark.

The rectangular target icon 261R of the posting target information is displayed in a different color according to the degree of certainty represented by the certainty information included in the posting target information. Low certainty is displayed in cool colors, and as the certainty increases, the color changes to warm colors, and high certainty is displayed in red. Alternatively or additionally, the size of the rectangular mark may be changed according to the certainty of the posting target information.

When the control unit 20 of the mobile device 2 detects a touch operation on the square target icon 261R, it displays a data display screen 21L that displays detailed data of the posting target information, as shown in FIG. 21. In addition to the detailed data of the posting target information, this data display screen 21L displays the accuracy, number of posts, the percentage of highly rated posters, past performance of similar traffic monitoring activities, and a list of posters. When the control unit 20 detects a touch operation on any poster in the list of posters, it switches to a display screen (not shown) that displays the content of the post by that poster and the overall evaluation points of that poster. Note that when a touch operation is performed on the circular target icon 261C that corresponds to existing traffic information, detailed information of the corresponding existing traffic information is also displayed.

Furthermore, when the mobile terminal 2, displaying the home screen 21C or the standby/posting screen 21E, approaches a monitoring position (GPS target) of a traffic monitoring activity of existing traffic information or posting target information as the vehicle travels, it issues an alarm according to the type of information, as shown in Figs. 22 and 23. While the home screen 21C or the standby/posting screen 21E is displayed, the control unit 20 refers to the GPS target information database 111 and acquires existing traffic information or posting target information in the vicinity of the current location. The control unit 20 constantly calculates the distance from the current location to the GPS targets of the existing traffic information or posting target information in the vicinity, and detects the approach to the corresponding GPS target according to this distance.

22 shows examples of warnings issued when approaching an N system installation location (monitoring location) and when approaching a seat belt enforcement area (monitoring area). The former is an example of a warning issued for traffic monitoring activities that are conducted at points rather than areas. The latter is an example of a warning issued for traffic monitoring activities that are conducted in areas.
When the waiting/posting screen 21E is displayed and the user reaches a point 340 m away from the installation location of the N system, the control unit 20 displays text such as "N system 340 m" in the information display field 254 and also displays an illustration 265 representing the N system in a pop-up display on the screen.
When the vehicle reaches a point 340 m before the seat belt enforcement area, the control unit 20 displays a text display such as "Seat belt enforcement 340 m" in the information display field 254, and also displays a corresponding illustration 265 in a pop-up display on the screen. Furthermore, while the vehicle is traveling in a seat belt enforcement area, i.e., when the current position is within the area, the control unit 20 displays a text display such as "Seat belt enforcement" in the information display field 254. When the vehicle passes through the area, i.e., when the current position leaves the area, the text display in the information display field 254 is erased, and the display returns to the original state where the waiting/posting screen 21E, etc. is displayed.

Figure 23 is an example of an alarm when approaching the location of an speed camera on a highway. The timing at which the alarm starts when approaching the location of a speed camera on a highway varies depending on whether the vehicle speed at that time exceeds the speed limit. If the speed limit is exceeded, the control unit 20 displays text such as "Expressway speed camera 2000m" in the information display field 254 when the vehicle reaches a point 2000m away, as shown in the leftmost diagram in the figure, and also displays a corresponding illustration 265 in a pop-up. In addition, the control unit 20 issues a voice alarm such as "Loop coil speed camera 2km ahead, on XX road."

On the other hand, when the speed is within the limit, the control unit 20 displays text such as "Expressway speed camera 1000m" in the information display field 254 when the vehicle reaches a point 1000m away, as shown in the center of the figure, and also displays a corresponding illustration 265 in a pop-up. It also issues a voice warning such as "1 km ahead, XX road, radar speed camera." After that, when the vehicle reaches a point 500m away, it outputs a voice such as "The camera is on the right" from the speaker 230.
Furthermore, when the vehicle reaches a point 300 m ahead, an information display field 254 is displayed showing text to that effect, and an audio warning is issued, such as "300 m ahead, on XX Road, there is a radar speed camera. Your speed is 120 km/h."

It is also possible to add public enforcement information to the posting target information distributed by the posting server 11. In this case, it becomes possible to issue notifications and warnings about public enforcement information as shown in FIG. 24. This figure shows an example in which the text "Seat belt enforcement week begins August 1st" is scrolled in the information display field 254.

As described above, by using the mobile terminal 2 of this example, post information including type information indicating the type of traffic monitoring activity carried out to promote road safety and location information indicating the monitoring location can be generated and posted to the posting server 11. The posting server 11 generates post target information (distribution information) including type information and location information related to the traffic monitoring activity by integrating multiple pieces of post information that share a common traffic monitoring activity to be posted. Other mobile terminals 2 can execute notifications, warnings, etc. using the post target information from the posting server 11.

While the posted information from the mobile terminal 2 includes information with a high degree of real-timeness, the accuracy of the posted information varies, and some information may be correct while other information may be incorrect. If multiple pieces of posted information of uncertain authenticity are distributed as is, there is a risk of confusion occurring on the mobile terminal 2 side that receives the distribution as to which information to trust.
On the other hand, the posting server 11 of this embodiment can distribute posting target information with improved accuracy by integrating multiple pieces of posting information. This posting target information is easy to use and useful information that is both real-time based on the posting information and has improved accuracy through information integration.

In particular, in this example, the posted information to be integrated is sorted by determining three conditions: temporal proximity, commonality of the type of traffic monitoring activity, and locational proximity. This sorting allows for accurate extraction of posted information for a specific traffic monitoring activity. Furthermore, when integrating the posted information sorted in this way to generate posting target information, the accuracy of each posted information is evaluated, and posted information with a high accuracy is selectively used. Since the posting target information is generated by integrating posted information with a high accuracy, its accuracy is high. Furthermore, the accuracy of the posting target information generated by integrating posted information that has been evaluated for accuracy is easily evaluated, and it is easy to manage on the delivery side and the delivery recipient side. The delivery side may selectively deliver the posting target information depending on the accuracy. The delivery side may selectively execute a notification or alarm depending on the accuracy.

As described above, the driving system 1 of this example is a system for supporting driving by delivering posting target information based on posted information related to traffic monitoring activities such as traffic enforcement and checkpoints, and is an excellent system that combines real-timeness and accuracy (reliability) of the posted target information.

It may be configured so that cancellation information indicating that traffic monitoring activities related to the delivered posting target information are not being carried out can be generated as posting information. For example, a cancel posting button for sending cancellation information may be added to the data display screen 21L of FIG. 21, which is displayed by touching the square target icon 261R (FIG. 20) on the waiting/posting screen 21E. The posting server 11 may authenticate the received cancellation information in the same manner as in the case of the posting information. When delivering the posting target information after receiving the cancellation information, information such as the fact that the cancellation information has been received and the number of canceled posts may be included. A cancellation posting display field for displaying this information may be added to the data display screen 21L of FIG. 21. Furthermore, it may be possible to evaluate the accuracy of the cancellation information based on the number of posts of the same type of cancellation information and the occupancy rate of high-rated posters, and to stop the delivery of the corresponding posting target information when the accuracy exceeds a predetermined threshold.

After the distribution of the posting target information is completed, the original posting information may be stored in the new information storage area. The posting information is useful as reference information when considering whether or not to newly register the posting target information in the existing traffic information.
After the delivery of the posting target information is completed, it is advisable to carry out an evaluation of the poster for each piece of posted information in the list of posted information in Fig. 17, and reflect the evaluation results in the contents of the evaluation items. If the poster posts correctly, the posting evaluation will increase and increase, whereas if the poster posts incorrectly, the posting evaluation will decrease and decrease, resulting in a difference in the posting evaluation. If the difference in the posting evaluation becomes significant, when the posting server 11 receives the posted information, it becomes easy to decide how to handle it, making it easier to integrate the integrated information, and improving the accuracy of the posting target information.
Alternatively, the system may accept posts from unspecified contributors, and treat information posted by unspecified, specific contributors as information with low accuracy. In this case, the number of posts can be increased.

In this example, the posting target information is displayed in a different color, for example, depending on the accuracy of the information. In addition, the threshold value for the accuracy of whether or not to display the posting target information may be adjustable by a user operation. In addition, the display mode of the posting target information relative to the accuracy may be configured to be configurable by a user operation.

It is also possible to configure the mobile device 2 so that after the posting pin 262 is registered, the position of the posting pin 262 on the map can be corrected by a user operation such as dragging before the posting information is sent. In this case, the posting information may include pin correction information indicating that the position correction operation of the posting pin 262 has been performed. The posting server 11 may assume that the position information of posting information including pin correction information has higher position accuracy than posting information not including pin correction information, and may reflect this in the position information of the posting target information.

The mobile terminal 2 may be configured so that the position of the target icon 261R ( FIG. 20 ) of the posting target information can be corrected by a user operation. Furthermore, the posting information may include icon correction information indicating that a position correction operation for the target icon 261R has been performed. The posting server 11 may handle the posting information including the icon correction information as having high position accuracy and may reflect this in the position information of the posting target information.
It is also possible to provide the posting server 11 with a map database. By performing well-known map matching using map data so that the monitoring location related to the posting information is located at a specific point, the positional accuracy of the monitoring location can be ensured and the positional accuracy of the posting target information can be improved. The specific point in map matching may be, for example, a point on a road or a point where a crackdown or the like has been carried out in the past.

In this example, the mobile terminal 2 displays a data display screen 21L that displays detailed data of the posting target information, as shown in FIG. 21, in response to a touch operation on a target icon 261R (FIG. 20) related to the posting target information. This data display screen 21L displays a list of posters in chronological order of the posting information, but instead, posters with high overall evaluation points may be displayed in a ranking.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 4, the poster's overall evaluation points are determined based on the number of correct posts and the correct posting rate, and the accuracy of the posted information by each poster is evaluated based on this. Alternative methods of evaluating the accuracy of posted information include a method based on evaluations from other users, and a method of evaluation based on the degree of proximity to past enforcement location data collected in advance. For example, when the target icon 261R (FIG. 20) of the posted target information is touched (e.g., double-tapped), the monitoring location of the integrated original posted information may be displayed. Furthermore, if the evaluation screen of the corresponding poster is switched and displayed by touching each monitoring location, each poster can be evaluated relatively easily from the mobile terminal 2.

Example 2
A driving support system 1 of this embodiment is an example in which the configuration of the posting terminal is changed based on the driving support system of the embodiment 1. The contents of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1, 2, and 25 to 44.
1 and 2, the posting terminal 102A of this example is configured by combining a mobile terminal 2 with a camera function and a radar detector 4. In the driving assistance system 1 of this example, a code image 670 (FIG. 42) displayed by the radar detector 4 is photographed with the mobile terminal 2, and the posting information recorded in the code image 670 can be posted. This posting does not require member registration on the driving assistance system 1 side. In the driving assistance system 1 of this example, the product information (serial number, etc.) of the radar detector 4 is used instead of a member ID, etc., to inquire about the poster.

In the user management database 121 of the member management server 12 in this example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, in addition to the same data management as in Example 1, personal information such as name, address, age, occupation, etc. provided by the user upon registration after purchasing a product is managed in association with a serial number.
In the user status database 113 of the posting server 11 in this example, posted ratings for each member (see FIG. 3) as well as posted ratings for each purchaser of the same type as shown in FIG. 3 are stored and managed. The posted ratings for each purchaser are associated with the serial number of the radar detector 4.

The mobile terminal 2 of this example has the same hardware configuration as the mobile terminal of Example 1. An additional function is a code reading function that reads digital information from a code image. This function is used to read posting target information, which is digital information recorded in a code image 670 (FIG. 42) displayed by the radar detector 4, as described below.

The function of reading the posting target information from the code image 670 displayed by the radar detector 4 and posting it to the posting server 11 is realized by installing a separate posting software different from the posting software of the first embodiment. The posting software of this example does not require membership registration and can be downloaded by anyone, and there is no need to input a member ID or the like when starting it. In the driving assistance system 1 of this example, instead of authenticating the poster, posting is permitted by product authentication of the radar detector 4 that generated the posting target information.

As shown in Figures 25 and 26, the radar detector 4 of this example is an in-vehicle device that has a thin rectangular case body 5 and is attached to the dashboard of a vehicle via a bracket 58 that is attached from the bottom rear side of the case body 5. Note that this radar detector 4 can also be installed behind a sun visor or a rearview mirror by changing the bracket 58.

A 3.2-inch color touch panel 45 is provided on the front of the case body 5 that faces the driver when installed. The touch panel 45 is a display panel in which a transparent sheet-like touch screen 451 (FIG. 27) that detects touch positions is laminated on a TFT dot matrix liquid crystal display 452 (FIG. 27). A volume adjustment button 51 is arranged on the right outer side of the touch panel 45 when viewed from the driver's side, and various operation buttons 52 such as a power button and a light-emitting section 53 with a full-color LED 427 embedded therein are arranged on the left outer side. A light-receiving surface 55 of an infrared light-receiving section 428 that receives infrared rays from an operation remote control (not shown) is provided on the lower right of the touch panel 45. The radar detector 4 of this example can be operated by touching the touch panel 45 with a fingertip, operating a button, operating a remote control, etc. The upper memory button 522 of the operation buttons 52 is an operation button for displaying four registration menu buttons 63 (FIG. 35) in a pop-up on the map screen 62.

On the right side of the case body 5 as viewed from the driver's side, there is a card insertion port 57 for inserting a memory card 471 such as an SD card, which is a removable recording medium. A USB connector 50 is provided at the bottom of the back of the case body 5. This USB connector 50 is connected to a cigarette plug cord extending from the cigarette lighter socket of the vehicle, an OBD (On-board Diagnostics) adapter cord including an OBD connector described below, a USB cable, etc. The radar detector 4 operates by receiving power via these cords connected to the USB connector 50.

As shown in FIG. 27, the radar detector 4 is electrically configured with the control unit 40 at its center. In addition to the components described above, the control unit 40 is electrically connected to a GPS receiver 421, a microwave receiver 422, a wireless receiver 423, an acceleration sensor 424, a gyro 425, a clock unit 426, a speaker 46, a memory card reader 47, and the like. Furthermore, the radar detector 4 is provided with a database 400 that can be accessed from the control unit 40.

The GPS receiver 421 is a receiver that receives GPS signals from GPS satellites and outputs the current time, current position information (latitude and longitude), current speed, altitude, etc. The GPS receiver 421 is built into the case body 5 so that it is located at the upper center of the rear side of the radar detector 4. The control unit 40, which obtains the current position information from the GPS receiver 421, can also calculate the vehicle speed based on the fluctuation of the current position.

The microwave receiver 422 is a receiver that receives radar waves in the microwave wavelength band emitted from a speed measurement device such as a mobile radar (hereinafter simply referred to as radar).
The wireless receiver 423 is a receiver that receives wireless signals of a predetermined frequency. The wireless receiver 423 in this embodiment can be selectively set to one of a plurality of frequencies so as to be compatible with various types of wireless radio waves.
The microwave receiver 422 and the wireless receiver 423 are built into the case body 5 so as to be located on the rear side of the radar detector 4. Such a built-in position is suitable for receiving radio waves and the like coming from the front of the vehicle. The microwave receiver 422 has five levels of microwave field strength, Lv1 to Lv5, from lowest to highest.

The clock unit 426 is a clock that outputs calendar information. The calendar information includes data indicating the date and the current time. Once a day, when the current time is obtained from the GPS receiver 421, the current time (including the date and time) of the clock unit 426 is calibrated using that time.
The speaker 46 is mounted inside the case body 5 so as to be able to output sound and the like through a speaker hole (not shown) that opens in the bottom surface of the case body 5 .
The memory card reader 47 reads data recorded on a memory card 471 and transfers it to the control unit 40. The memory card 471 inserted into the card insertion slot 57 is attached to the memory card reader 47.

The control unit 40 is configured by a microcomputer (not shown) including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM, an I/O, and the like.
The ROM stores software programs to be executed by the CPU.
A storage area of a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM is provided with a setting information storage area for storing setting information such as alarm settings.

The database 400 is composed of a non-volatile memory (e.g., EEPROM) inside the microcomputer of the control unit 40 or external to the microcomputer. At the time of product shipment, the database 400 stores map data, GPS content including location information for warning targets, various facilities, and tourist spots, regulatory information such as speed limits, and various information for voice output. In addition, the database 400 stores a large amount of voice data used for voice synthesis (TTS: Text To Speech).

The data stored in the database 400 can be updated using a memory card 471. When the memory card 471, which stores update data such as map data, GPS content, and information for audio output, is inserted into the memory card reader 47, the update data is read out under the control of the control unit 40, and the data in the database 400 can be updated. In particular, by adding or updating information for audio output, it is possible to change the pronunciation mode and increase the variation. It is also possible to update the database 400 by connecting a PC with update data stored on a hard disk or the like via USB.

The storage area of the microcomputer in the control unit 40 or the non-volatile memory (e.g., EEPROM) external to the microcomputer further includes a posting pin storage area for storing information about the traffic monitoring activity to be posted. The posting pin storage area can store up to four pieces of posting pin information about the traffic monitoring activity to be posted. Note that the data specifications of the posting pin information in this example are slightly different from those in the first embodiment. The data specifications of the posting pin information will be described later with reference to FIG. 32 etc.

The radar detector 4 realizes various functions by having the CPU execute software programs read from the ROM. The functions of this radar detector 4 include a display function that displays various screens on the touch panel 45, an alarm function that issues various alarms, an OBD function, a setting function, a registration function, etc. The alarm functions include a GPS alarm function, an RD alarm function, a wireless alarm function, etc., which are functions that are provided in general radar detectors. Furthermore, the radar detector 4 in this example has a post information generation function that generates post information, and a code display function that converts post information into a code image and displays it. The means for realizing these functions are formed in the control unit 40.

The OBD function is a function that acquires vehicle information through an OBD port (fault diagnosis port) provided on the vehicle side based on the OBD2 standard, which is a vehicle inspection standard. This OBD function functions only when the radar detector 4 is connected to the vehicle side through an OBD adapter cord including an OBD connector that is connected to the OBD port on the vehicle side. Examples of vehicle information that can be acquired from the vehicle's OBD port include vehicle speed, engine speed, engine load factor, ignition timing, intake manifold pressure, intake air volume (MAF), injection open time, engine coolant temperature (coolant temperature), air temperature taken into the engine (intake temperature), outside air temperature (outside air temperature), fuel flow rate, instantaneous fuel consumption, accelerator opening (throttle opening), turn signal information (operation information of the left and right turn signals), brake opening, steering wheel rotation angle information, etc. The OBD function acquires vehicle information every 0.5 seconds.

The setting function is a function for making various settings related to the operation of the radar detector 4. As shown in FIG. 28, the setting includes an alarm setting for whether or not various alarms are to be issued. Driving assistance modes based on alarm settings include normal mode, minimum mode, special mode, all-on mode, and manual mode. Normal mode is the initial setting mode when the product is shipped. In each mode other than manual mode, the operation (on/off) corresponding to each alarm target is predefined. In manual mode, the user can manually set the operation corresponding to the alarm target. Minimum mode is a setting that warns only the minimum number of alarm targets in all RD alarm functions, wireless alarm functions, and GPS alarm functions. Normal mode is a mode that emphasizes the balance between functions, and in addition to the items in minimum mode, it is a setting that warns of items related to enforcement that are of high importance as alarm targets. Special mode is a setting that warns of all items related to enforcement as alarm targets in addition to the items in normal mode.

The registration function allows the user (driver) to register personal locations (my points) and areas (my areas), and is executed by a registration means realized as software in the control unit 40.

The GPS warning function warns of approaching a warning target such as an automatic speed camera (ORBIS). In the GPS warning function, a calculation process is repeatedly performed at a specified time interval (e.g., 1 second) to determine the distance between the position of the warning target and the current position. When this distance reaches a specified approach distance and an event called approach to the warning point occurs, a GPS warning is executed to indicate this.

Targets that may be alerted by the GPS alert function include speed cameras, enforcement areas, checkpoints, intersection monitoring points, no parking monitoring areas, N systems, traffic monitoring systems, red light ignoring prevention systems, police stations, accident-prone areas, areas with high rates of vehicle theft, sharp curves, branching and merging points, ETC lanes, etc. In database 400, information on the type of these targets, location information (latitude and longitude) indicating their location (specific location), schematic or photographic data to be displayed on touch panel 45, and audio data are stored as GPS content (POI data) in a corresponding state. Targets that may be alerted may also include locations of drowsy driving accidents, radar, speed limit change points, etc.

Note that GPS content other than those that are the subject of warnings from the GPS warning function includes service areas (expressways), parking areas (expressways), highway oases (expressways), smart interchanges (expressways), gas stations inside PAs/SAs (expressways), tunnels (expressways), highway radio receiving areas (expressways), prefectural border announcements, roadside stations, and viewpoint parking. Audio output information related to these GPS contents is output as audio by the chat function.

The RD warning function is a function that warns of the incidence of radar waves (microwaves) emitted from a radar-type enforcement device. When an event occurs in which the microwave receiver 422 receives radar waves (hereafter referred to as RD reception), an RD warning is issued to indicate this.

The radio warning function is a function that issues warnings so as not to interfere with the driving of emergency vehicles, etc. When an event occurs in which radio waves emitted by an emergency vehicle, etc. are received (hereinafter referred to as radio reception), a radio warning is issued to alert the driver. Warning targets include police radio, car location radio, digital radio, special small radio, police station activity radio, police telephone, police activity radio, tow truck radio, helicopter radio, fire helicopter radio, fire radio, emergency radio, highway radio, security radio, etc.

The posting information generating function is a function for generating posting information, similar to the posting information generating function of the mobile terminal in the embodiment 1. The procedure for generating posting information will be described later.
The code display function is a function that converts the generated post information into a two-dimensional code image and displays it on the touch panel 45. In this example, a QR code (registered trademark) is used as the two-dimensional code image. As the code image, various code images such as a one-dimensional barcode can be used. Although the code image is a two-dimensional code, various code images such as a one-dimensional barcode may also be used.
Instead of the code image, characters may be displayed and the characters may be recognized. Alternatively, wireless communication such as IRDA, IRDX, NFC, or Bluetooth (registered trademark) may be used.
These functions may be combined. It is preferable to use a display function or a communication function implemented in the mobile terminal to exchange posted information.

The main function of the radar detector 4 configured as above, the basic operation of the alarm function realized by the control of the control unit 40, etc., will be described below. In a standby state where no events that are the subject of an alarm, such as RD reception, radio reception, or approach to an alarm point, have occurred, the map screen 62 (Figure 29) is displayed. When any of the events of approach to an alarm point, RD reception, or radio reception occurs in the standby state, the control unit 40 executes processing to execute the corresponding function from the GPS alarm function, RD alarm function, or radio alarm function. Note that when two or more events occur simultaneously, the priority of each function is, from highest to lowest, RD alarm function, radio alarm function, and GPS alarm function.

As shown in Figure 29, the map screen 62 displays a map of the area around the current location. On the map screen 62, the map is displayed so that the vehicle's direction of travel is always facing upwards, and the current location is at the bottom center of the screen. The vehicle icon 601 is displayed at the current location. A compass 626 that illustrates the vehicle's direction of travel and a vehicle speed display 625 are located in the upper left corner of the map screen 62, and a time display 621 is located in the upper right corner. An address display 622 that displays the town name, etc. of the current location is located in the lower left corner of the map screen 62.

In the standby state, when an event that requires a warning, such as an RD reception, a radio reception, or approaching a warning point, occurs, the control unit 40 displays (pops up) the warning information superimposed on the map screen 62 and outputs the contents of the warning as voice. At this time, the light color of the light-emitting unit 53 changes from blue, which indicates the standby state, to red, thereby indicating that caution is required.
In the case of a GPS warning, as shown in FIG. 30, a photo display 628 of the enforcement point including a symbol display 629 of the warning content, and a radar display icon (mini radar) 627 showing the remaining distance and direction are displayed in a pop-up on the map screen 62.
31, in the RD warning, a photo display 628 of the enforcement point including a symbol display 629 of the warning content, and a radar display icon 627 showing the remaining distance and direction are popped up on the map screen 62. Note that the remaining distance displayed on the radar display icon 627 is a distance estimated from the electric field strength (Lv1 to Lv5) of the received radar wave.
In the case of a wireless alarm, a wireless alarm screen (not shown) is displayed since it is almost the same as the RD alarm.

Next, the data specifications of the posted information (including posted pin information) handled by the driving assistance system of this embodiment and the operation of the system will be described.
The data specifications of the posted information handled by the driving support system of this example are as shown in FIG. 32. Note that in this figure, the illustration of header information and the like required for communication is omitted. In the posted information of this example, the member information of Example 1 is replaced with product information (serial number, etc.) of the radar detector 4. In addition, the posted pin information of this example is added with freshness information indicating the implementation time of the traffic monitoring activity of the posted target and direction type information (FIGS. 32 to 34) indicating the type of enforcement direction, in comparison with the posted pin information of Example 1. Note that the breakdown of each data such as X, Y, A, etc. constituting the posted pin information of FIG. 32 is as shown in FIG. 33(a). Of the data in FIG. 33(a), the contents of each data T, R, M are as shown in FIG. 33(b), (c), and (d).

Freshness information is information that indicates the time when the traffic monitoring activity of the posted subject was carried out. Depending on the time when the traffic monitoring activity of the subject was carried out, a data value indicating freshness is specified as shown in FIG. 33(c). For example, if the posted information is about a traffic monitoring activity that is currently being carried out, the freshness value will be zero, and if the posted information is about a traffic monitoring activity that was carried out more than one week but within the last month, the freshness value will be 20. On the other hand, for posted information that is about a permanently installed speed camera or the like, the freshness data value will be 255.
The direction type information is information that supplements the enforcement direction included in the location information. By using the direction type information, it is possible to specify the enforcement direction of the monitoring activity of the opposite lane, and also to specify whether the traffic monitoring activity is to the right or left of the driving lane. For example, if the traffic monitoring activity is targeted at the driving lane, the enforcement direction type is 0x01, which is 180 degrees reversed from the traveling direction (vehicle traveling direction) of 0x02 in FIG. 34. For example, when a posting pin is registered in front of an speed camera installed in the central reservation, the speed camera is set diagonally to the right of the driving lane. In this case, the enforcement direction type is the direction 0x10 in the same figure.

The driving assistance system 1 of this example differs from the driving assistance system of the first embodiment in each of the following operations: (1) generation of posting target information using a radar detector 4, (2) transmission of posting information by a mobile terminal 2, and (3) authentication of posting information by a member management server 12. The contents of each of the operations (1) to (3) are explained below.

(1) Generation of posted information When the control unit 40 of the radar detector 4 detects an operation of the memory button 522 while the map screen 62 of Fig. 29 is being displayed, it displays four registration menu buttons 63 including a pin setting button 634 as a pop-up on the screen, as shown in Fig. 35. The registration menu buttons 63 include the pin setting button 634 for registering a posting pin 64 (Fig. 36), an ITY map button 631 for displaying as a two-dimensional barcode the latitude and longitude of the vehicle's positioning position at the time the button was pressed, a My Area button 632 for registering a My Area, and a Cancel button 633 for canceling the registered area.

When the pin setting button 634 is touched, the control unit 40 sets a posting pin 64 at the current position on the map screen 62 as shown in FIG. 36, and registers the position information (latitude and longitude, address, enforcement direction) and the pin registration time of the posting target in the posting pin memory area. In the radar detector 4 of this example, which can register up to four posting pin information items in the posting pin memory area, a maximum of four posting pins 64 can be registered from the first pin to the fourth pin. In this figure, since all pins are empty, the first pin is set at the current position as the posting pin 64, and the position information at that time and the pin registration date and time are stored in association with the first pin. Note that activity content information indicating the type, implementation, method, etc. of the traffic monitoring activity is generated according to subsequent user operations (FIGS. 40 to 42) and stored in the posting pin memory area.

When all four posting pins 64 have been registered and four pieces of posting pin information are stored in the posting pin memory area, the registration menu button 63 in Fig. 37 is popped up in response to the operation of the memory button 522. Here, the registration menu button 634A, which includes the display "Full of pins", displays that the posting pin 64 (Fig. 36) cannot be registered.
In this example, since the enforcement direction is essential information for the posted information, similarly to the first embodiment, the posting pin 64 cannot be registered when the heading direction by the GPS function is not determined. When the memory button 522 is operated when the heading direction is not determined, the control unit 40 displays a pop-up registration menu button 63 including a registration menu button 634B indicating that the heading is not determined (FIG. 38). When the memory button 522 is operated in a non-positioning state where the position is not being determined by the GPS function, the control unit 40 displays a caption at the top of the map screen 62 indicating that a GPS search is in progress (FIG. 39).

When the control unit 40 detects a touch operation on the map screen 62 (such as FIG. 29), it displays the settings screen 67A at the top of FIG. 40. Various menu buttons are arranged on this settings screen 67A, including a post button 670 for posting post information. When the post button 670 is touched, the control unit 40 switches to displaying a post pin menu screen 67B in the middle of the figure. This post pin menu screen 67B is a screen on which a confirmation button 671A and a delete button 671B are arranged for each post pin. Note that for unregistered post pins, the operation buttons 671A and B are displayed in shadow and cannot be operated. When the control unit 40 detects a touch operation on the pin confirmation button 671A, it reads out the post pin information corresponding to that post pin from the post pin memory area. The control unit 40 displays a pin confirmation screen 67C on which a post button 672 for starting the posting process is arranged, in addition to a text display of the location information (latitude and longitude, address, and police direction) and time information (pin registration date and time) from the read posting pin information. The generation of the posting information is started in response to a touch operation of this post button 672.

When the control unit 40 detects a touch operation of the post button 672 in the pin confirmation screen 67C as shown in FIG. 41, the control unit 40 appropriately displays the post screens 67D to 67I of FIG. 41 and FIG. 42 on the touch panel 45 according to the type of traffic monitoring activity, etc. The post screens 67D to F in FIG. 41 are screens that generate activity content information (FIG. 32) such as the type (category) of the traffic monitoring activity to be posted, its implementation form, and method. The post screens 67D to F correspond to the post screens 21G to I (FIGS. 13 to 16) of Example 1, respectively. The control unit 40 adds the activity content information generated in response to the user's operation on the post screens 67D to 67F to the post pin information stored in the post pin memory area. Note that, except for the post screen 67D for selecting the type of traffic monitoring activity to be posted, the post screens 67E and F for selecting the implementation form, method, etc. have operation buttons for selecting "other" or "unknown" set. The purpose of providing operation buttons to select "Other" etc. on posting screens 67E and 67F is to make it easier for users who are not very familiar with traffic enforcement to post, and to encourage more posting.

The posting screen 67G in Fig. 42 is an operation screen for inputting freshness information (Fig. 32) indicating the implementation time of the traffic monitoring activity to be posted. In addition to an operation button for selecting currently being carried out, this posting screen 67G has operation buttons for within one week, within one month, and within three months, etc. While the driving assistance system 1 of the first embodiment is a system that assumes postings targeting currently being carried out traffic monitoring activities, the system of this example also allows postings targeting past traffic monitoring activities. The control unit 40 adds freshness information corresponding to the operation button selected on the posting screen 67G to the posting pin information stored in the posting pin memory area.
The posting screen 67H is a posting screen for selecting the type of enforcement direction. Operation buttons for "driving lane", "opposite lane", "right direction", "left direction", "right side of driving lane", "left side of driving lane", "left side of opposite lane", and "right side of opposite lane" are arranged on this posting screen 67H. The control unit 40 adds the direction type information (FIGS. 32 to 34) corresponding to the operation button selected on the posting screen 67H to the posting pin information stored in the posting pin storage area.

When any of the operation buttons is operated on the posting screen 67H as described above, the generation of the posting pin information (FIG. 32) is completed. The control unit 40 reads out the posting pin information from the posting pin memory area, and generates the posting information by adding the product information (FIG. 32). Then, a code image 670 in which the posting information is recorded is generated, and a posting screen 67I including the code image 670 is displayed on the touch panel 45 as shown in FIG.
The posting user only needs to photograph the code image 670 with the mobile terminal 2 running posting software compatible with code images. The mobile terminal 2 that photographed the code image 670 executes image processing to cut out the code image 670 from the photographed image and read the posted information recorded in the code image 670. The control unit of the mobile terminal 2 immediately transmits the read posted information to the posting server 11.

When posting server 11 receives posted information, it first requests authentication from member management server 12. When requested to be authenticated, member management server 12 uses the product information (serial number, etc.) received from posting server 11 to refer to user management database 121 to determine whether a corresponding purchaser exists. If a corresponding purchaser exists, the poster ID of that purchaser is returned from member management server 12. When posting server 11 is authenticated by member management server 12, it refers to user status database 113 to check whether a posting prohibition flag is set for that poster. Posting server 11 deletes posted information for which the posting prohibition flag is set without accepting it, but executes acceptance processing for posted information for which the posting prohibition flag is not set.

The reception process in this example differs between posted information whose freshness information (FIG. 33) has a data value of zero and other posted information. Freshness information with zero, i.e., real-time posted information targeting currently ongoing traffic monitoring activities, is handled in the same manner as in Example 1 and becomes source information for posting target information for distribution.
On the other hand, other posted information, i.e., posted information relating to permanent traffic monitoring activities such as the N system (data value of freshness information is 255) and posted information relating to past traffic monitoring activities, is stored in a new information area of the posting server 11 similar to that of Example 1, and becomes the source information for newly registered existing traffic information.
Other configurations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

It is also possible to provide a "Post Now" button on posting screens 67E-H (Figs. 41 and 42) for jumping to posting screen 67I. When the speed camera button, N system button, enforcement button, or checkpoint button is selected on posting screen 67D, which corresponds to posting screen 21G (Figs. 13-16) in Example 1, the type of traffic monitoring activity is determined. Once the type of traffic monitoring activity has been determined in this way, even if the "Post Now" button on posting screens 67E-H is subsequently operated, posting information can be generated that includes type information that indicates the determined type.

Registered posting pins 64 (Figure 36, etc.) can be deleted by operating the Delete button 671B on the posting pin menu screen 67B in the middle of Figure 40. When this Delete button 671B is operated, the deletion of the corresponding posting pin is completed via a screen for confirming the deletion and a screen indicating that the deletion has been completed, as shown in Figure 43 (a). By operating the system button located in the lower right corner of the setting screen 67A at the top of Figure 40, it is possible to switch to and display a data deletion screen, as shown in Figure 43 (b). By selecting the posting pin button on this data deletion screen, the posting pin and the corresponding posting pin information can be deleted all at once.

The posting target information distributed by the driving assistance system 1 of this example is information on currently implemented traffic monitoring activities, as in the case of the first embodiment. Alternatively or in addition to this, posting target information generated by integrating posting information on past traffic monitoring activities whose freshness information (FIG. 33) is other than 255 or zero may be distributed. In this case, for example, it is possible to generate posting target information on caution points where traffic monitoring activities are frequently implemented by integrating one or more pieces of posting information on traffic monitoring activities implemented two months ago, posting information on the same type of traffic monitoring activities implemented one month ago, and posting information on the same type of traffic monitoring activities implemented within one week.
In order for one or more pieces of posted information to be classified as information related to a common traffic monitoring activity two months ago, three conditions must be met: proximity in time regarding the time of implementation, proximity in location, and commonality in type. In addition, for posted information related to a specific traffic monitoring activity two months ago to be classified as information related to a common traffic monitoring activity that was similarly implemented one month ago, two conditions must be met: proximity in location and commonality in type.

In this example, the posted information is transferred to the mobile terminal 2 using a code image 670 (Figure 42) displayed by the radar detector 4. Alternatively, the radar detector 4 and the mobile terminal 2 may be connected in a communicable state via wireless communication such as Wi-Fi, and the posted information may be transferred (see Figure 1). For example, when dedicated software is running on the mobile terminal 2, the posted information may be posted via the mobile terminal 2 by operating a post button displayed on the touch panel 45 of the radar detector 4. To provide the radar detector 4 with a Wi-Fi function, a Wi-Fi module or the like may be incorporated. The mobile terminal 2 may be any mobile terminal that has an access point (tethering) function.

If the radar detector 4 is capable of wireless communication with the mobile terminal 2, it is also possible to receive the posting target information via the mobile terminal 2. The radar detector 4 can notify or warn of the posting target information. Furthermore, if public enforcement information is distributed, the radar detector 4 can notify the public enforcement information as shown in FIG. 44. The radar detector 4 shown in the figure scrolls the received public enforcement information at the bottom of the map screen 62.

The driving assistance system may be capable of handling both the posted information of Example 1 and the posted information of this example. The posted information of Example 1 and the posted information of this example may be integrated to generate posting target information. In this case, the posted information generated by the mobile terminal 2 and the posted information generated by the radar detector 4 may be evaluated for accuracy differently. For example, a poster who has purchased and actually uses a radar detector 4 may be assumed to be someone who places importance on warning functions and has extensive knowledge about traffic enforcement. There is a high possibility that the accuracy of posted information by such a poster can be evaluated as high.

In this example, the accumulated points in the list of posted information (Figure 17) are used as the accuracy of the posting target information. In addition to this, the accuracy may be evaluated based on the history of past traffic monitoring activities. For example, if there is a history of similar traffic monitoring activities being carried out in the past, it is also possible to set the accuracy to 120% of the accumulated points (a 20% increase), or to add historical points to the accumulated points. Points that reflect the frequency of implementation, etc. are preferable as historical points. When determining the history of past traffic monitoring activities, in addition to using existing traffic information, it is also good to use posting target information in the latest information area.

It is also possible to change the notification or warning mode of the posting target information depending on vehicle information acquired by the OBD function, such as the vehicle's speed. For example, when the speed exceeds the speed limit, posting target information regarding mobile speed cameras, etc. becomes very important.

Example 3
This example is an example in which posted information is distributed as is, based on the driving support system of the embodiment 1. The contents of this example will be described with reference to Figs. 17 and 45 to 47.

Examples of posted information that can be distributed include posted information whose poster's posting rating points are, for example, 8 points or more, but which has not yet been reflected in the posting target information, and posted information such as that of a police car on patrol, which involves changes in surveillance location and where real-time performance is important.
FIG. 45 is a display example of posted information about a police motorcycle on patrol. In the figure, an information pin 271 is displayed at a monitoring position corresponding to the posted information of a police motorcycle on patrol on a map displayed on the touch panel 21 of the mobile terminal 2. In the figure, a balloon display 275 that is displayed when the information pin 271 is tapped (touched) is also shown. The balloon display 275 displays the posting date and time, the activity content of the traffic monitoring activity related to the posted information, and the like. For posted information for which real-timeness is important, a limit of six hours or the like may be set for the display time, and the mobile terminal 2 may manage this time limit and erase the information pin 271 as the time limit elapses. The illustration of the information pin 271 may be changed depending on the type of the target traffic monitoring activity, and the display color and size of the information pin 271 may be changed depending on the degree of risk.

In addition, in the figure, a scroll display field 278 is provided at the bottom of the display screen of the touch panel 21. This scroll display field 278 is a display field for posted information that is distributed as described above and does not include a monitoring location within the map area displayed on the touch panel 21. By providing such a display, posted information that has a monitoring location far away and is not included in the map area can be displayed. The far-away range can be set to a range of 20 km, etc. It is also possible to selectively display posted information that is far away and located in the direction of travel of the vehicle, posted information that is far away and located on the road being traveled, etc. It is also possible to display the public enforcement information of FIG. 24 referred to in Example 1 in the scroll display field 278, but in this case, it is recommended to take measures to make it easier to distinguish between posted information and public enforcement information, such as changing the background color between public enforcement information and posted information.

For example, the message configuration shown in FIG. 46 can be used when scrolling through posted information. In the case of such a message configuration, a message such as "Yuppi-san (35) June 6th, 10:30 [Speeding Enforcement (Radar)] Iwatsu-cho, Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture, in front of Yupiteru, they're doing it at the usual spot. Be careful!" can be scrolled through. It is preferable that the posting experience value increases in proportion to the number of posts. For example, the number of correct posts or the overall rating shown in FIG. 3 can be used as the posting experience value. It is also effective to hold events such as awarding the top three users with the highest posting experience value for the year and giving them prizes in order to increase the number of users who are posting maniacs and enjoy posting. It is also good to equip the posting server with a program that selects the top three users with the highest posting experience value for the year at the end of the year. Such events provide an incentive for posting and contribute to the collection of more accurate posting information.

Posted information may be automatically distributed (e.g., every 10 minutes) from the posting server. As shown in FIG. 45, an update button 272 may be provided so that distribution is immediately performed in response to the operation of this update button 272. Furthermore, posted information may be selectively distributed only to users who wish to receive it. This is because there are users who do not wish to receive posted information that is not sufficiently accurate.

In order to distribute the posted information, it is also possible to use a distribution file for each of the 47 prefectures. By using such a distribution file, for example, posted information for Aichi prefecture can be distributed collectively to a user who is driving in that prefecture. When distributing distribution files for each prefecture, in addition to the distribution file for the prefecture to which the current location belongs, distribution files for neighboring prefectures may be distributed at the same time. Furthermore, the posted information included in the distribution file may be limited to posted information within six hours from the posting time (the time the posting server received the information). For example, one piece of posted information may have the following content:
・Latitude and longitude e.g. 34.794025 degrees, 137.117188 degrees ・Display period e.g. 10:25 on June 6, 2012 to 16:25 on June 6, 2012 ・Crackdown content e.g. Speeding (police motorcycle)
・Address information Prefecture (e.g., Aichi Prefecture) City, ward, town, village name (e.g., Nishio City) Street name (e.g., XX-cho 2-banchi) ・Detailed location or nearby landmarks (data may not be available)
For example, the road from the intersection between JA and Sugi Pharmacy in Nishihatazu towards Koda and comments (data may not be available)
For example, here is a place where they often do this. Be careful, the speed limit is 40km.
User information User name (e.g., Yuppii) Posting experience (e.g., 121)

In the mobile terminal 2 of this example, the generation of posted information can be started by touching the post button 273 in FIG. 45. When the post button 273 is touched, a post page (not shown) is displayed. This post page may be provided with a picker view, which is an operating means like a rotating drum for selecting the type of traffic monitoring activity, in addition to the text display of the latitude and longitude, date, time, and address information when the post button 273 is touched. It is preferable to have the user enter detailed location and comments as text. Note that it may be possible to allow the user to skip input of detailed location and comments in order to accommodate posters who find text input troublesome. It may also be possible to configure the posting server to add a clever comment when a comment is skipped.
Other configurations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

In this example, posted information from distant locations outside the map area is scrolled and displayed at the bottom of the screen. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 47, posted information whose monitoring position is located on the right side of the map area can be scrolled and displayed in a rectangular space 278R at the right edge of the screen, and posted information whose monitoring position is located on the upper side can be scrolled and displayed in space 278U at the top of the screen. In this case, the direction of distant posted information can be ascertained according to the scrolled position.

Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above as in Examples 1 to 3, these specific examples merely disclose examples of the technology encompassed by the scope of the claims. Needless to say, the scope of the claims should not be interpreted in a limited manner based on the configurations or numerical values of the specific examples. The scope of the claims encompasses technology that is a variety of modifications or changes to the specific examples using publicly known technology or the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

1 Driving assistance system 101A, 102A Posting terminal 101B, 102B Notification terminal 11 Posting server (server device)
111 GPS target information database 113 User status database 12 Membership management server 121 User management database 2 Mobile terminal 21C Home screen 21E Waiting/posting screen 21G-K Posting screen 262 Posting pin 4 Radar detector 45 Touch panel 62 Map screen 64 Posting pin 67D-I Posting screen

Claims (5)

A function of receiving distribution information distributed by a server device based on posted information targeted at traffic monitoring activities, the distribution information including at least location information of monitoring locations where the traffic monitoring activities are carried out;
a function of displaying an icon at a monitoring position on a map specified by the position information based on the received distribution information;
a function of displaying detailed data about the traffic monitoring activity corresponding to the icon when an operation on the icon is detected;
having
The function of displaying the detailed data is a device that has a function of displaying the implementation history of the traffic monitoring activity when there is posted information from multiple posters for the same traffic monitoring activity. The function of receiving the distribution information includes a function of receiving distribution information including accuracy information representing accuracy of the distribution information as the distribution information,
The device according to claim 1 , further comprising a function of changing the icon depending on the degree of certainty represented by the degree of certainty information. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the function of displaying the icon changes a color or a size of the icon depending on the degree of certainty. The device described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the posted information received by the receiving function includes first posted information targeted at traffic monitoring activities generated on a mobile terminal carried by a user, and second posted information targeted at traffic monitoring activities generated on an in-vehicle device. A program for causing a computer to realize the functions of the device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 .