In-vehicle radio apparatus

• US 7,342,509 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2005
• Issued: 03/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Tauchi, Nobutaka
• Primary Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US11/036,142
• Publication Number:
  US 20050168350A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,148 Days
• Field of Search: 340/902, 340/903, 340/906, 340/904, 340/905, 340/995.12, 340/995.19, 340/995.2, 455/73, 455/95, 455/99, 701/208, 701/209, 701/211, 701/213
• US Class Current: 340/905
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/161 Decentralised systems, e.g. inter-vehicle communication

Abstract

In an in-vehicle radio apparatus to radio-transmit information from a vehicle about to enter an intersection, the interference between a radio signal transmitted from the vehicle and a radio signal transmitted from another vehicle is suppressed. Further, an approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection can be accurately transmitted. In the radio apparatus to transmit a radio signal by using a spread spectrum method, it is determined that the vehicle has approached a first distance from the intersection, and based on the determination, a spread code corresponding to an approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection is allocated as a spread code used for transmission.

Claims

1. An in-vehicle radio apparatus comprising:

a transmission unit for transmitting a radio signal by using a spread spectrum method;

a first approach determination unit for determining that a vehicle has entered a first distance from an intersection; and

an allocation unit for allocating a spread code corresponding to an approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection as a spread code used for transmission by the transmission unit based on determination by the first approach determination unit,

wherein the allocation unit specifies the spread code corresponding to the approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection based on a traveling direction of the vehicle, and correspondence data between approach directions to a particular intersection and spread codes,

wherein in the correspondence data, a spread code in a particular approach direction to a particular intersection corresponds to a transmission end position of transmission with the spread code, and

wherein the in-vehicle radio apparatus further comprises a transmission termination control unit for, when the transmission unit transmits a radio signal with a spread code allocated by the allocation unit regarding an approach direction to an intersection, terminating transmission with the spread code by the transmission unit based on passage of the vehicle across a transmission end position corresponding to the spread code for the approach direction to the intersection of the correspondence data.

2. The in-vehicle radio apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein in the correspondence data, regarding continuous multiple intersections, the seine spread code corresponds to a direction continuously passing the multiple intersections along a road, and a transmission end position corresponding to the seine spread code is a position of a last intersection upon passing of the continuous multiple intersections along the road.

3. An in-vehicle radio apparatus comprising:

a transmission unit for transmitting a radio signal by using a spread spectrum method;

a first approach determination unit for determining that a vehicle has entered a first distance from an intersection; and

an allocation unit for allocating a spread code corresponding to an approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection as a spread code used for transmission by the transmission unit based on determination by the first approach determination unit,

wherein the allocation unit specifies the spread code corresponding to the approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection based on a traveling direction of the vehicle, and correspondence data between approach directions to a particular intersection and spread codes, and

wherein regarding closely continuous intersections, the correspondence data has spread codes, corresponding to adjacent intersections, not to overlap with each other.

4. The An in-vehicle radio apparatus comprising:

a transmission unit for transmitting a radio signal by using a spread spectrum method;

a first approach determination unit for determining that a vehicle has entered a first distance from an intersection; and

an allocation unit for allocating a spread code corresponding to an approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection as a spread code used for transmission by the transmission unit based on determination by the first approach determination unit,

wherein the allocation unit specifies the spread code corresponding to the approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection based on a traveling direction of the vehicle, and correspondence data between approach directions to a particular intersection and spread codes, and

wherein in a case where the correspondence data regarding an intersection which the vehicle is to enter can be obtained, the allocation unit allocates a spread code corresponding to an approach direction of the vehicle in the correspondence data as a spread code used for transmission by the transmission unit, and in a case where the correspondence data regarding the intersection which the vehicle is to enter cannot be obtained, the allocation unit allocates a spread code previously set corresponding to an approach direction of the vehicle as a spread code used for transmission by the transmission unit.

5. An in-vehicle radio apparatus comprising:

a transmission unit for transmitting a radio signal by using a spread spectrum method;

a first approach determination unit for determining that a vehicle has entered a first distance from an intersection; and

an allocation unit for allocating a spread code corresponding to approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection as a spread code used for transmission by the transmission unit based on determination by the first approach determination unit,

wherein the allocation unit specifies the spread code corresponding to the approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection based on a traveling direction of the vehicle, and correspondence data between approach directions to a particular intersection and spread codes,

wherein in the correspondence data, multiple spread codes correspond to a particular approach direction to an intersection, and

wherein based on detection of existence of, between the intersection and the vehicle, a preceding vehicle that performs transmission of a radio signal with the spread code corresponding to the approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection, the code allocation unit allocates, among spread codes in the correspondence data corresponding to the approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection, a spread code different from the spread code used for transmission in the preceding vehicle, as a code used for transmission by the transmission unit.

6. An in-vehicle radio apparatus comprising:

a transmission unit for transmitting a radio signal by using a spread spectrum method;

a first approach determination unit for determining that a vehicle has entered a first distance from an intersection; and

an allocation unit for allocating a spread code corresponding to an approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection as a spread code used for transmission by the transmission unit based on determination by the first approach determination unit,

wherein the allocation unit specifies the spread code corresponding to the approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection based on a traveling direction of the vehicle and correspondence data between an approach direction to an intersection and the spread code by geographical division.

7. An in-vehicle radio apparatus comprising:

a transmission unit for transmitting a radio signal by using a spread spectrum method;

a first approach determination unit for determining that a vehicle has entered a first distance from an intersection;

an allocation unit for allocating a spread code corresponding to an approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection as a spread code used for transmission by the transmission unit based on determination by the first approach determination unit; and

a different-timing transmission control unit for, based on detection of existence of, between the intersection and the vehicle, a preceding vehicle that performs transmission of a radio signal with the spread code corresponding to the approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection, performing the transmission by the transmission unit with the spread code allocated by the allocation unit at a timing different from a timing of transmission in the preceding vehicle.

8. An in-vehicle radio apparatus comprising:

a transmission unit for transmitting a radio signal by using a spread spectrum method;

a first approach determination unit for determining that a vehicle has entered a first distance from an intersection;

an allocation unit for allocating a spread code corresponding to an approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection as a spread code used for transmission by the transmission unit based on determination by the first approach determination unit; and

a preceding vehicle detection unit for detecting existence of, between the intersection and the vehicle, a preceding vehicle that performs transmission of a radio signal with the spread code corresponding to the approach the direction of the vehicle to the intersection, and based on detection, prohibiting transmission by the transmission unit with the spread code allocated by the allocation unit.

9. The in-vehicle radio apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising:

a second approach determination unit for determining that the vehicle has entered a second distance shorter than the first distance from the intersection; and

a null data transmission control unit for, based on determination by the second approach determination unit, causing the transmission unit to transmit null data with the spread code allocated by the allocation unit, regardless of prohibition of transmission by the preceding vehicle detection unit.

10. The in-vehicle radio apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the null data transmission control unit causes the transmission unit to transmit the null data with transmission power lower than that when no preceding vehicle exists.

11. An in-vehicle radio apparatus comprising:

a transmission unit for transmitting a radio signal by using a spread spectrum method;

a first approach determination unit for determining that a vehicle has entered a first distance from an intersection;

an allocation unit for allocating a spread code corresponding to an approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection as a spread code used for transmission by the transmission unit based on determination by the first approach determination unit; and

a first transmission power control unit for controlling transmission power of the transmission unit so that the transmission power is reduced as the distance between the vehicle and the intersection becomes shorter.

12. An in-vehicle radio apparatus comprising:

a transmission unit for transmitting a radio signal by using a spread spectrum method;

a first approach determination unit for determining that a vehicle has entered a first distance from an intersection;

an allocation unit allocating a spread code corresponding to an approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection as a spread code used for transmission by the transmission unit based on determination by the first approach determination unit;

a second approach determination unit for determining that the vehicle has entered a second distance shorter than the first distance from the intersection; and

a first transmission power control unit for reducing transmission power of the transmission unit based on determination by the second approach determination unit.

13. An in-vehicle radio apparatus comprising:

a transmission unit for transmitting a radio signal by using a spread spectrum method;

a first approach determination unit for determining that a vehicle has entered a first distance from an intersection;

an allocation unit for allocating a spread code corresponding to an approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection as a spread code used for transmission by the transmission unit based on determination by the first roach determination unit;

a reception unit for trying reception of a radio signal with a spread code corresponding to an approach direction different from the approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection, based on determination by the first approach determination unit; and

a second transmission power control unit for controlling transmission power of the transmission unit based on a distance between a position of a vehicle as a transmission originator included as data in the signal received by the reception unit with the spread code corresponding to the approach direction different from the approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection and a position of the vehicle.

14. An in-vehicle radio apparatus comprising:

a transmission unit for transmitting a radio signal;

a first approach determination unit for determining that a vehicle has entered a first distance from an intersection; and

an allocation unit for allocating a communication channel corresponding to an approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection as a communication channel used for transmission by the transmission unit based on determination by the first approach determination unit,

wherein the allocation unit specifies the communication channel corresponding to the approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection based on a traveling direction of the vehicle and correspondence data between the approach direction to a particular intersection and the communication channel, and

wherein in a case where the correspondence data regarding an intersection which the vehicle is to enter can be obtained, the allocation unit allocates a communication channel corresponding to an approach direction of the vehicle in the correspondence data as a communication channel used for transmission by the transmission unit, and in a case where the correspondence data regarding the intersection which the vehicle is to enter cannot be obtained, the allocation unit allocates a communication channel previously set corresponding to an approach direction of the vehicle as a communication channel used for transmission by the transmission unit.

15. An in-vehicle radio apparatus comprising:

a transmission unit for transmitting a radio signal;

a first approach determination unit for determining that a vehicle has entered a first distance from an intersection; and

an allocation unit for allocating a communication channel corresponding to an approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection as a communication channel used for transmission by the transmission unit based on determination by the first approach determination unit,

wherein the allocation unit specifies the communication channel corresponding to the approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection based on a traveling direction of the vehicle and correspondence data between an approach direction to an intersection and the communication channel by geographical division.

16. An in-vehicle radio apparatus comprising:

a transmission unit for transmitting a radio signal;

a first approach determination unit for determining that a vehicle has entered a first distance from an intersection;

an allocation unit for allocating a communication channel corresponding to an approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection as a communication channel used for transmission by the transmission unit based on determination by the first approach determination unit; and

a different-timing transmission control unit for, based on detection of existence of, between the intersection and the vehicle, a preceding vehicle that performs transmission of a radio signal in the communication channel corresponding to the approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection, performing the transmission by the transmission unit with the communication channel allocated by the allocation unit at a timing different from a timing of transmission in the preceding vehicle.

17. An in-vehicle radio apparatus comprising:

a transmission unit for transmitting a radio signal;

a first approach determination unit for determining that a vehicle has entered a first distance from an intersection;

an allocation unit for allocating a communication channel corresponding to an approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection as a communication channel used for transmission by the transmission unit based on determination by the first approach determination unit; and

a first transmission power control unit for controlling transmission power of the transmission unit so that the transmission power is reduced as the distance between the vehicle and the intersection becomes shorter.

18. An in-vehicle radio apparatus comprising:

a transmission unit for transmitting a radio signal;

a first approach determination unit for determining that a vehicle has entered a first distance from an intersection;

an allocation unit for allocating a communication channel corresponding to an approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection as a communication channel used for transmission by the transmission unit based on determination by the first approach determination unit; and

a preceding vehicle detection unit for detecting existence of, between the intersection and the vehicle, a preceding vehicle that performs transmission of a radio signal in the communication channel corresponding to the approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection, and based on the detection, prohibiting the transmission by the transmission unit in the communication channel allocated by the allocation unit.

19. The in-vehicle radio apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising:

a second approach determination unit for determining that the vehicle has entered a second distance shorter than the first distance from the intersection; and

a null data transmission control unit for, based on determination by the second approach determination unit, causing the transmission unit to transmit null data in the communication channel allocated by the allocation unit, regardless of prohibition of transmission by the preceding vehicle detection unit.

20. An in-vehicle radio apparatus comprising:

a transmission unit for transmitting a radio signal;

a first approach determination unit for determining that a vehicle has entered a first distance from an intersection;

an allocation unit for allocating a communication channel corresponding to an approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection as a communication channel used for transmission by the transmission unit based on determination by the first approach determination unit;

a second approach determination unit for determining that the vehicle has entered a second distance shorter than the first distance from the intersection; and

a first transmission power control unit for reducing transmission power of the transmission unit based on determination by the second approach determination unit.

21. An in-vehicle radio apparatus comprising:

a transmission unit for transmitting a radio signal;

a first approach determination unit for determining that a vehicle has entered a first distance from an intersection; and

an allocation unit for allocating a communication channel corresponding to an approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection as a communication channel used for transmission by the transmission unit based on determination by the first approach determination unit,

wherein regarding closely continuous intersections, the communication channels that correspond to adjacent intersections do not overlap with each other.

22. An in-vehicle radio apparatus comprising:

a transmission unit for transmitting a radio signal by using a spread spectrum method;

a first approach determination unit for determining that a vehicle has entered a first distance from an intersection; and

an allocation unit for allocating a spread code corresponding to an approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection as a spread code used for transmission by the transmission unit based on determination by the first approach determination unit,

wherein the allocation unit specifies the spread code corresponding to the approach direction of the vehicle to the intersection based on a traveling direction of the vehicle, and correspondence data between approach directions to a particular intersection and spread codes,

wherein regarding closely continuous intersections along the same road and associated with the same approach direction, the correspondence data has spread codes, corresponding to adjacent intersections, that overlap with each other, and

wherein regarding closely continuous intersections associated with different approach directions or the same approach direction on different roads, the correspondence data has spread codes, corresponding to adjacent intersections, that do not overlap with each other.

23. The in-vehicle radio apparatus according to claim 22, wherein regarding continuous multiple intersections at standard or shorter intervals along the same road and associated with the same approach direction, the same spread code is associated with the continuous multiple intersections.