Position recognizind device and position recognizing method, and accounting device and accounting method

• US 20030158799A1
• Filed: 03/24/2003
• Published: 08/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin Corp.), Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin Corp.), Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Aoki, Yasuyuki, Kakihara, Masaki
• Granted Patent: US 7,778,941 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/30
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/28 with correlation of data from several navigational instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/47 the supplementary measurement being an inertial measurement, e.g. tightly coupled inertial
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0875 Itemisation or classification of parts, supplies or services, e.g. bill of materials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0284 Time or distance, e.g. usage of parking meters or taximeters
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting

Abstract

A position recognition device for deciding a zone where a moving object takes a position. The device comprises: a travel distance decider for deciding whether or not the moving object has traveled a predetermined distance corresponding to the detection error of the position of the moving object; and a zone decider for deciding the zone where the moving object takes a position, if the travel distance decider decides that the moving object has traveled the predetermined distance.

According to the invention, therefore, “the decision of the zone where the moving object exists” is not made, in case the position of the moving object cannot be precisely detected. Therefore, the precision in the decision of the zone where the moving object exists is improved, and it is unnecessary to set a buffer zone that “the decision of the zone where the moving object exists is not made if the moving object takes a position in the neighborhood” as the reference for deciding the existing zone of the moving object. Without the necessity for setting the buffer zone, therefore, it is possible to reduce the quantities of data and operations and to suppress the rise in the cost for manufacturing the position recognition device. Within the travel distance for a possible error in the detection of the position of the moving object, moreover, it is unnecessary to detect the position of the moving object. Therefore, it is sufficient to acquire discrete pieces of positional information so as to be the position recognition device. It is, therefore, possible to promote the reduction in the size of the position recognition device and to suppress the rise in the cost for manufacturing the position recognition device.

Claims

1. A position recognition device for deciding a zone where a moving object takes a position, characterized by comprising:

a travel distance decider for deciding whether or not said moving object has traveled a predetermined distance corresponding to the detection error of the position of said moving object; and

a zone decider for deciding the zone where said moving object takes a position, if said travel distance decider decides that said moving object has traveled said predetermined distance.

2. A position recognition device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that said travel distance decider and said zone decider are mounted on said moving object.

3. An accounting processor for deciding a zone where a moving object takes a position, thereby to generate accounting information on the basis of the decision result, characterized by comprising:

a travel distance decider for deciding whether or not said moving object has traveled a predetermined distance affecting the precision in said accounting information; and

an accounting information generator for deciding the zone where said moving object takes a position, if said travel distance decider decides that said moving object has traveled said predetermined distance, and for generating accounting information based on the decision result.

4. An accounting device as set forth in claim 3, characterized in that said travel distance decider is constructed to decide said predetermined distance in terms of a rectilinear distance.

5. An accounting processor as set forth in claim 3, characterized in that said accounting information generator is constructed to compare a travel locus, which is detected by the time said moving object has traveled the predetermined distance, and choices of travel routes existing in the map information providing the reference for deciding the position of said moving object, thereby to decide that said moving object has traveled such one of the choice of travel routes existing in said map information as to minimize the travel distance of the moving object.

6. An accounting processor as set forth in claim 3, characterized in that said accounting information generator is constructed to compare a travel locus, which is detected by the time said moving object has traveled the predetermined distance, and the configurations of choices of travel routes existing in the map information providing the reference for deciding the position of said moving object, thereby to decide what of the choices existing in said map information said moving object has traveled, on the basis of said comparison result.

7. An accounting processor as set forth in any of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that said accounting information generator is constructed to decide that said moving object has traveled the travel route which minimizes the accounting resulting from the movement of said moving object.

8. An accounting processor as set forth in any of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that said accounting information generator is constructed not to perform the accounting resulting from the movement of said moving object, if said travel distance decider decides that the travel distance of said moving object is no more than the predetermined distance.

9. An accounting processor as set forth in any of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that said travel distance decider and said accounting information generator are mounted on said moving object.

10. A position recognition device for deciding a zone where a moving object takes a position, characterized by comprising a controller for executing:

a control to decide whether or not said moving object has traveled a predetermined distance corresponding to the detection error of the position of said moving object; and

a control to decide the zone where said moving object takes a position, if said moving object is decided as has traveled said predetermined distance.

11. A position recognition device as set forth in claim 10, characterized in that said controller is mounted on said moving object.

12. An accounting processor for deciding a zone where a moving object takes a position, thereby to generate accounting information on the basis of the decision result, characterized by comprising a controller for executing:

a control to decide whether or not said moving object has traveled a predetermined distance affecting the precision in said accounting information; and

a control to decide the zone where said moving object takes a position, if it is decided that said moving object has traveled said predetermined distance, and to generate accounting information based on the decision result.

13. An accounting processor as set forth in claim 12, characterized in that said controller is constructed to decide said predetermined distance in terms of a rectilinear distance.

14. An accounting processor as set forth in claim 12, characterized in that said controller is constructed to compare a travel locus, which is detected by the time said moving object has traveled the predetermined distance, and choices of travel routes existing in the map information providing the reference for deciding the position of said moving object, thereby to decide that said moving object has traveled such one of the choice of travel routes existing in said map information as to minimize the travel distance of the moving object.

15. An accounting processor as set forth in claim 12, characterized in that said controller is constructed to compare a travel locus, which is detected by the time said moving object has traveled the predetermined distance, and the configurations of choices of travel routes existing in the map information providing the reference for deciding the position of said moving object, thereby to decide what of the choices existing in said map information said moving object has traveled, on the basis of said comparison result.

16. An accounting processor as set forth in any of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that said controller is constructed to decide that said moving object has traveled the travel route which minimizes the accounting resulting from the movement of said moving object.

17. An accounting processor as set forth in any of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that said controller is constructed not to perform the accounting resulting from the movement of said moving object, if it is decided that the travel distance of said moving object is no more than the predetermined distance.

18. An accounting processor as set forth in any of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that said controller is mounted on said moving object.

19. A position recognition method for deciding a zone where a moving object takes a position, characterized by comprising:

a travel distance decision step of deciding whether or not said moving object has traveled a predetermined distance corresponding to the detection error of the position of said moving object; and

a zone decision step of deciding the zone where said moving object takes a position, if it is decided that said moving object has traveled said predetermined distance.

20. An accounting processing method for deciding a zone where a moving object takes a position, thereby to generate accounting information on the basis of the decision result, characterized by comprising:

a travel distance decision step of deciding whether or not said moving object has traveled a predetermined distance affecting the precision in said accounting information; and

an accounting information generation step of deciding the zone where said moving object takes a position, if it is decided that said moving object has traveled said predetermined distance, and generating accounting information based on the decision result.

21. An accounting processing method as set forth in claim 20, characterized in that said travel distance decision step is constructed to decide said predetermined distance in terms of a rectilinear distance.

22. An accounting processing method as set forth in claim 20, characterized in that said accounting information generation step is constructed to compare a travel locus, which is detected by the time said moving object has traveled the predetermined distance, and choices of travel routes existing in the map information providing the reference for deciding the position of said moving object, thereby to decide that said moving object has traveled such one of the choice of travel routes existing in said map information as to minimize the travel distance of the moving object.

23. An accounting processing method as set forth in claim 20, characterized in that said accounting information generation step is constructed to compare a travel locus, which is detected by the time said moving object has traveled the predetermined distance, and the configurations of choices of travel routes existing in the map information providing the reference for deciding the position of said moving object, thereby to decide what of the choices existing in said map information said moving object has traveled, on the basis of said comparison result.

24. An accounting processing method as set forth in any of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that said accounting information generation step is constructed to decide that said moving object has traveled the travel route which minimizes the accounting resulting from the movement of said moving object.

25. An accounting processing method as set forth in any of claims 20 to 24, characterized in that said accounting information generation step is constructed not to perform the accounting resulting from the movement of said moving object, if said travel distance deciding step decides that the travel distance of said moving object is no more than the predetermined distance.

26. A moving object position recognition device for deciding a zone where a moving object takes a position, characterized by comprising:

travel distance decision means for deciding whether or not said moving object has traveled a predetermined distance corresponding to the detection error of the position of said moving object; and

zone decision means for deciding the zone where said moving object takes a position, if said travel distance decision means decides that said moving object has traveled said predetermined distance.

32. A moving object position recognition device as set forth in any of claims 26 to 31, characterized in that said accounting information generation means has a function not to perform the accounting resulting from the movement of said moving object, if said travel distance decision means decides that the travel distance of said moving object is no more than the predetermined distance.

27. A moving object position recognition device for deciding a zone where a moving object takes a position, thereby to generate accounting information on the basis of the decision result, characterized by comprising:

travel distance decision means for deciding whether or not said moving object has traveled a predetermined distance affecting the precision in said accounting information; and

accounting information generation means for deciding the zone where said moving object takes a position, if said travel distance decision means decides that said moving object has traveled said predetermined distance, and for generating accounting information based on the decision result.

28. A moving object position recognition device as set forth in claim 27, characterized in that said travel distance decision means has a function to decide said predetermined distance in terms of a rectilinear distance.

29. A moving object position recognition device as set forth in claim 27, characterized in that said accounting information generation means has a function to compare a travel locus, which is detected by the time said moving object has traveled the predetermined distance, and configurations of choices of travel routes existing in the map information providing the reference for deciding the position of said moving object, thereby to decide that said moving object has traveled such one of the choice of travel routes existing in said map information as to minimize the travel distance of the moving object.

30. A moving object position recognition device as set forth in claim 27, characterized in that said accounting information generation means has a function to compare a travel locus, which is detected by the time said moving object has traveled the predetermined distance, and the configurations of choices of travel routes existing in the map information providing the reference for deciding the position of said moving object, thereby to decide what of the choices existing in said map information said moving object has traveled, on the basis of said comparison result.

31. A moving object position recognition device as set forth in any of claims 27 to 30, characterized in that said accounting information generation means has a function to decide that said moving object has traveled the travel route which minimizes the accounting resulting from the movement of said moving object.