Vehicle information providing apparatus, on-vehicle information playing apparatus, vehicle information providing method and on-vehicle information playing method

An on-vehicle information playing apparatus comprising:

• a playback device that plays information in conformance to an information list listing a plurality of sets of information to be played in a vehicle;
• a traveling time estimation device that estimates a traveling time required for the vehicle to arrive at a destination based upon vehicle traveling information;
• a playback time calculation device that calculates a playback time length for the information played by the playback device;
• and
• an information list modification device that individually modifies the sets of information listed in the information list so as to match the playback time length calculated by the playback time calculation device with the traveling time estimated by the traveling time estimation device.

A vehicle information providing apparatus comprising:

• a communication means for exchanging information with a vehicle;
• a traveling time estimation means for estimating a traveling time required for the vehicle to arrive at a destination based upon traveling information transmitted from the vehicle;
• an information selection means for selecting information to be provided to the vehicle based upon a request transmitted from the vehicle;
• a list preparation means for preparing an information list of the information to be provided to the vehicle, which is selected by the information selection means so as to match a length of time over which the information is to be provided with the traveling time estimated by the traveling time estimation means;
• and
• a control means for controlling the communication means so as to transmit information to the vehicle in conformance to the information list prepared by the list preparation means.

An on-vehicle information playing apparatus comprising:

• a playback means for playing information in conformance to an information list listing a plurality of sets of information to be played in a vehicle;
• a traveling time estimation means for estimating a traveling time required for the vehicle to arrive at a destination based upon vehicle traveling information;
• a playback time calculation means for calculating a playback time length for the information played by the playback means;
• and
• an information list modification means for individually modifying the sets of information listed in the information list so as to match the playback time length calculated by the playback time calculation means with the traveling time estimated by the traveling time estimation means.

A vehicle information providing method comprising:

• receiving traveling information transmitted from a vehicle;
• estimating a traveling time required for the vehicle to arrive at a destination based upon the traveling information that has been received;
• selecting information to be provided to the vehicle based upon a request transmitted from the vehicle;
• preparing an information list of information to be provided to the vehicle, which is selected so as to match a length of time over which the information is to be provided with the estimated traveling time;
• and
• transmitting the information to the vehicle in conformance to the information list that has been prepared.

An on-vehicle information playing method for playing information in conformance to an information list listing a plurality of sets of information to be played in a vehicle, comprising:

• estimating a traveling time to elapse before the vehicle arrives at a destination based upon vehicle traveling information;
• calculating a playback time length for playing the information to be played in the vehicle;
• and
• individually modifying the sets of information listed in the information list so as to match the calculated playback time length with the estimated traveling time.