JP2007187514A - Navigation server and navigation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation server and a navigation apparatus allowing a user to recognize, to what extent estimated traffic information on a route is reliable. <P>SOLUTION: The navigation server comprises a first traffic information storage means DB101 for storing first traffic information received from a predetermined traffic information source; a second traffic information storage means DB102 for storing second traffic information calculated, on the basis of a travel history received from a second mobile unit M2; a link traffic information setting means 150 for setting link traffic information of links contained in the first traffic information and the second traffic information and its reliability; a sever route setting means 110 for setting, on the basis of a travel plan including the present position or starting position of a first mobile unit M1 and a destination and map information; a server route from the present position or starting position of the first mobile unit M1 to the destination; and a server transmitting means for transmitting the link traffic information of the links, corresponding to the server route and its reliability to the navigation apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation server that assists navigation of a moving body by the navigation device based on communication with a navigation device mounted on the moving body, and the navigation device.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, navigation devices (navigation devices) mounted on automobiles have been proposed that display VICS information distributed from a VICS (road traffic information communication system) center (see, for example, Patent Document 1). On the other hand, since roads from which VICS information can be obtained are limited to main arterial roads, etc., a system that displays on the navigation device traffic information supplemented with VICS information by probe information of other roads obtained from floating cars (probe cars) Has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Then, the navigation device sequentially executes a calculation process for setting a recommended route to the destination of the car based on the traffic information and a calculation process for predicting the arrival time at the destination, and the recommended result that is the calculation result. The route and estimated arrival time are displayed on the display.
JP 2001-241956 A JP 2005-180986 A

  However, since the traffic volume of the probe car varies from road to road, the probe information may deviate significantly from the actual traffic state. For this reason, the estimated arrival time fluctuates significantly while the vehicle is traveling on the recommended route set based on the probe information, or the actual arrival time at the destination deviates from the original estimated arrival time. There is a case. In such a case, there is a possibility that the user with respect to the navigation device, particularly the user who places importance on the accuracy of the recommended route and the estimated arrival time, may be dissatisfied and distrustful with the navigation device.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a navigation server and a navigation apparatus that provide traffic information in a form that can reduce or eliminate such dissatisfaction and distrust of the user.

  A navigation server according to the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a navigation server that provides information to a first mobile body through communication with a navigation device mounted on the first mobile body, and has a predetermined traffic information source. The first traffic information storage means for storing and holding the first traffic information received from the first travel information calculated from the travel history including the position information and time information of the second mobile body received from the second mobile body. A second traffic information storage means for storing and holding two traffic information; a first traffic information stored and held in the first traffic information storage means; and a second traffic information stored and held in the second traffic information storage means. Based on the link traffic information setting means for setting the link traffic information and its reliability included in the first traffic information and the second traffic information, and received from the navigation device mounted on the first mobile body, Current position of the first moving body Is a server route setting for setting a server route from the current position of the first moving body or the departure position to the destination position based on the travel plan including the departure position and the destination position and the map information read from the predetermined storage means Means and server transmission means for transmitting link traffic information of links corresponding to the server route set by the server route setting means and reliability thereof to the navigation device (first invention). .

  According to the navigation server of the present invention, the first traffic information (for example, VICS information) received from a predetermined traffic information source (for example, VICS center) and the travel history received from a plurality of second mobile bodies (probe cars) are used. Based on the second traffic information (probe information) converted into the same format as the first traffic information, the current position of the first mobile body or the first mobile body equipped with a predetermined navigation device (car navigation system) The link traffic information of the link related to the route from the starting position to the destination position and its reliability can be transmitted and provided.

  On the other hand, the navigation device of the first moving body that has received the link traffic information and the reliability thereof from the navigation server, based on the link traffic information and the reliability thereof, from the current position or the starting position of the first moving body to the target position. It is possible to set the predicted traffic information and reliability of the route up to.

  Even if the map information that can be used by the navigation server is different from the map information that can be used by the navigation device, the link traffic information transmitted from the navigation server to the navigation device and the reliability thereof are the first. Since it is information on not only the route from the current position or the starting position to the destination position of the mobile body but also the link related to the route, the navigation device is based on the information and the map information available for the navigation device. The predicted traffic information of the route from the current position or the starting position of the first moving body to the target position and its reliability can be set and provided to the user.

  Thereby, the user can recognize how reliable the predicted traffic information on the route is, and according to the navigation server of the present invention, the predicted traffic information on the route is different from the actual traffic information. However, traffic information can be provided in a form that can reduce or eliminate user dissatisfaction and distrust.

  “Moving object” is a concept that encompasses everything that can move along the road, such as automobiles (four wheels, two wheels), bicycles, animals such as humans carrying a navigation device, etc. This is a concept including the required travel time of a moving body on a link or route, traffic volume, presence or absence of traffic congestion, presence or absence of construction, presence or absence of an accident, and the like.

  “Set” means reading the information from a storage device (memory, hard disk, etc.), receiving the information from an external information source such as a database server via a network, reading from the storage device, or external information. It is a concept that includes determining, calculating, selecting, and predicting the information based on the basic information received from the source, and storing the information determined, calculated, selected, predicted, etc. in the storage device. . Therefore, “setting” the link traffic information and its reliability is calculated and set in advance based on the first traffic information and the second traffic information, and a predetermined memory is stored. The first traffic information storage means and the first traffic information and the second traffic information at a predetermined timing (for example, when receiving a travel plan from the first mobile body) This includes the case of reading from the second traffic information storage means and calculating and setting the link traffic information and the value corresponding to the reliability.

  Furthermore, “reading” includes reading information from a storage device (memory, hard disk, etc.) provided in the navigation server or receiving the information from an external information source such as a database server via a network. It is a concept. The “map information” is a concept that includes all information included in normal map information including information for specifying a link position, altitude information, peripheral store information, and the like.

  In the navigation server of the present invention, the link traffic information setting means sets the first traffic information as link traffic information and sets the reliability to a predetermined probability value in the first traffic information. In the second traffic information, for the links other than the links included in the first traffic information, the information freshness classification according to the time information and the information amount classification according to the information amount of the second traffic information The average value of the second traffic information corresponding to the case where the probability value is the maximum among the probability values of the probability table corresponding to the second traffic information is calculated based on the probability table for calculating the probability value from the link traffic. The information is set as information and the maximum value of the probability value is set as the reliability (second invention).

  According to the navigation server of the present invention, the link traffic information setting means can change the link traffic information to be set and its reliability according to the types of the first traffic information and the second traffic information. Specifically, since a certain level of reliability is originally secured in the first traffic information, the first traffic information is set as link traffic information as it is, and the reliability is set to a predetermined probability value (for example, 100%). On the other hand, in the second traffic information, information corresponding to time information of travel histories received from a plurality of second mobile bodies (for example, a time difference between the current time and the time of passing a link recorded in the travel history). The second traffic information and its probability based on a probability table comprising a freshness category and an information amount category corresponding to the amount of information of the second traffic information (for example, the number of travel histories received from the second mobile body) Set the value.

  Thus, according to the navigation server of the present invention, link traffic information and its reliability can be set appropriately and easily according to the type of traffic information.

  Further, the navigation server of the present invention includes navigation device identification means for receiving the identification information of the navigation device transmitted from the navigation device and identifying the type of the navigation device from the identification information of the navigation device, The transmission means adds the reliability to the navigation device in addition to the link traffic information of the link corresponding to the server route only when the type of the navigation device identified by the navigation device identification means is a predetermined type. It is preferable to transmit (third invention).

  According to the navigation server of the present invention, when the navigation device identifying means recognizes the type of the navigation device mounted on the first moving body and the navigation device type is a predetermined navigation device that can output the reliability. Only the link traffic information and its reliability are transmitted to the navigation device. On the other hand, when the type of the navigation device mounted on the first moving body cannot output the reliability, only the link traffic information is transmitted.

  Thus, according to the navigation server of the present invention, information corresponding to the type of the navigation device of the first moving body can be provided to the navigation device.

  The navigation device of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem is a navigation device that provides traffic information to the first mobile body based on communication with a navigation server, the link traffic information and its reliability from the navigation server. Is received based on the travel plan including the current position or departure position of the first moving body and the destination position and the map information read from the predetermined storage means. A navigation route setting means for setting a navigation route from a position to a destination position, a predicted traffic information setting means for setting predicted traffic information of a navigation route set by the navigation route setting means, and a navigation route setting means. Reliability setting means for setting the reliability of the predicted traffic information of the navigation route, the predicted traffic information setting means is the link traffic information received from the navigation server Based on the map information used when setting the navigation route, the reliability setting means sets the sum of the link traffic information of each link on the navigation route as the predicted traffic information of the navigation route. Calculate the ratio of the distance that each link on the route occupies in the entire navigation route, and add the value obtained by weighting and adding the reliability of the link traffic information received from the navigation server according to the ratio. (4th invention).

  According to the navigation apparatus of the present invention, when link traffic information and its reliability are received from the navigation server, the object is determined based on the link traffic information and the reliability from the current position or the starting position of the first mobile unit. The predicted traffic information of the route to the position and its reliability can be set and output. Specifically, as the predicted traffic information of the route, a value obtained by adding the link traffic information of each link on the route is set, and the reliability of the link traffic information of each link is set to the entire route. A value added by weighting according to the ratio of the occupied distance is set.

  As described above, according to the navigation device of the present invention, the route from the current position or the starting position of the first moving body to the destination position can be appropriately and easily based on the link traffic information transmitted from the navigation server and its reliability. Predictive traffic information and its reliability can be set.

  Thus, the user can recognize how reliable the predicted traffic information on the route is, and according to the navigation device of the present invention, the predicted traffic information on the route is different from the actual traffic information. However, traffic information can be provided in a form that can reduce or eliminate user dissatisfaction and distrust.

  The communication system of the present invention for solving the above problem is a communication system including a navigation device mounted on a first mobile body and a navigation server that provides information to the navigation device, and the navigation server includes: Based on a travel history comprising first traffic information storage means for storing and storing first traffic information received from a predetermined traffic information source, and positional information and time information received from the second mobile body. Second traffic information storage means for storing and holding the second traffic information calculated in the above; first traffic information stored and held in the first traffic information storage means; and second traffic information storage means stored in the second traffic information storage means. Link traffic information setting means for setting the link traffic information of links included in the first traffic information and the second traffic information and its reliability based on the two traffic information, and a navigation mounted on the first mobile body Receive from device Further, based on the travel plan including the current position or the starting position of the first moving body and the destination position, and the map information read from the predetermined storage means, the current position or the starting position of the first moving body to the destination position. Server route setting means for setting the server route, and server transmission means for transmitting link traffic information and reliability of the link according to the server route set by the server route setting means to the navigation device, When the navigation device receives the link traffic information and the reliability thereof from the navigation server, the navigation device reads the travel plan including the current position or the starting position and the destination position of the first moving body from a predetermined storage unit. Navigation route setting means for setting a navigation route from the current position or the starting position to the destination position of the first moving body based on the map information; Prediction traffic information setting means for setting the predicted traffic information of the navigation route set by the means, and reliability setting means for setting the reliability of the predicted traffic information of the navigation route set by the navigation route setting means, The predicted traffic information setting means sets the sum of link traffic information of each link on the navigation route as predicted traffic information of the navigation route based on the link traffic information received from the navigation server, and the reliability setting means Calculates the proportion of the distance that each link on the navigation route occupies the entire navigation route from the map information used when setting the navigation route, and the link traffic received from the navigation server according to the proportion. A value obtained by weighting and adding the reliability of the information is set as the reliability of the predicted traffic information of the navigation route (fifth invention).

  According to the communication system of the present invention, the communication system includes the navigation server described in the first invention and the navigation device described in the fourth invention. As described above, the navigation server includes the first traffic information (for example, VICS information) transmitted from a predetermined traffic information source (for example, VICS center) and the travel history received from a plurality of second mobile bodies (probe cars). Based on the second traffic information (probe information) converted into the same format as the first traffic information, the current position of the first mobile body is mounted on the first mobile body on which the predetermined navigation device (car navigation system) is mounted. Alternatively, the link traffic information and the reliability of the link related to the route from the starting position to the destination position are transmitted and provided. On the other hand, when the navigation device receives the link traffic information and the reliability thereof from the navigation server, the navigation device, based on the link traffic information and the reliability thereof, from the current position or the starting position of the first mobile unit to the destination position. Set and output the predicted traffic information of the route and its reliability.

  Thereby, the user can recognize how reliable the predicted traffic information on the route is, and according to the communication system of the present invention, the predicted traffic information on the route is different from the actual traffic information. However, traffic information can be provided in a form that can reduce or eliminate user dissatisfaction and distrust.

  Further, the communication system of the present invention is a communication system including a navigation device mounted on a first mobile body and a navigation server that provides information to the navigation device, the first communication system receiving a first traffic information received from a predetermined traffic information source. First traffic information storage means for storing and storing traffic information, and second traffic information calculated from a travel history received from the second mobile body and including position information and time information of the second mobile body is stored. Based on the second traffic information storage means to be held, the travel plan including the current position or departure position of the first mobile body and the destination position, and the map information read from the predetermined storage means, the current position of the first mobile body Route setting means for setting a route from a position or a starting position to a destination position; reading means for reading out the first traffic information and the second traffic information according to the route set by the route setting means; Link traffic information setting means for setting link traffic information and reliability of links included in the first traffic information and the second traffic information based on the traffic information and the second traffic information, and the route setting means. Predicted traffic information setting means for setting the predicted traffic information of the set route based on the link traffic information set by the link traffic information setting means, and reliability of the predicted traffic information of the route set by the route setting means Reliability calculating means for setting the degree based on the reliability of the link traffic information set by the link traffic information setting means and the map information used when setting the route, the navigation server comprising: The first traffic information storage means, the second traffic information storage means, the reading means, and the route setting means and the link traffic information setting means A part or all of the predicted traffic information setting means and the reliability setting means, and the navigation device includes: the route setting means, the link traffic information setting means, the predicted traffic information setting means, and the reliability setting means. Of these, a device other than the one provided in the navigation server is provided (sixth invention).

  According to the communication system of the present invention, the predicted traffic information of the route and the reliability thereof are set and output to the navigation device of the first mobile body by distributed processing between the navigation server and the navigation device constituting the communication system. Can do. Specifically, the navigation server includes a first traffic information storage unit that stores and holds first traffic information, a second traffic information storage unit that stores and holds second traffic information, and the first and second traffic information. Read out from the first and second traffic information storage means may be essential constituent means, and each of the route setting means, the link traffic information setting means, the predicted traffic information setting means, and the reliability calculation means, Either the navigation server or the navigation device may be provided.

  Thereby, according to the communication system of this invention, since arrangement | positioning of the means which comprises this system can be changed, this communication system can be comprised appropriately according to the specification of this communication system.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory diagram of a navigation server and a navigation device as an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 to 7 are functional explanatory diagrams of the navigation server and the navigation device as an embodiment of the present invention.

  First, referring to FIG. 1, the car navigation system mounted on the navigation server 100 and the first moving body M1 and the second moving body M2 (in the case where the first moving body and the second moving body are not distinguished, the moving body M is used). The configuration of the (navigation device) 200 will be described.

  The navigation server 100 includes a first traffic information DB 101, a second traffic information DB 102, a server DB 103, a server route setting unit 110, a region specifying unit 120, a link extraction unit 130, a reading unit 140, and link traffic information. A setting unit 150 and a navigation device identification unit 160 are provided. Each processing unit is configured by hardware such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. These processing units may be configured by common hardware, and some or all of these processing units are different. It may be configured by hardware.

  The first traffic information DB 101 stores VICS information (first traffic information) received from the VICS center.

  2nd traffic information DB102 memorize | stores the probe information (2nd traffic information) which changed the driving | running | working log | history of the mobile body M2 transmitted from the car navigation 200 of the mobile body M2 to the navigation server 100 in the format similar to VICS information.

  The server DB 103 stores travel plans, identification information, and the like including the current position, departure position, and destination position of the mobile body M1 transmitted from the car navigation system 200 of the first mobile body M1 to the navigation server 100. Further, the server DB 103 stores map information (map information), a probability table for obtaining reliability (probability value) of link traffic information, and the like. The map information stored in the server DB 103 includes information transmitted from an external computer (not shown) as an information source to the navigation server 100 through a network such as the Internet.

  Based on the map information stored in the server DB 103, the server route setting unit 110 calculates the travel plan of the mobile unit M1 transmitted from the car navigation system 200 of the mobile unit M1 to the navigation server 100, the current location of the mobile unit M1, and the like. Set the server route to the target location.

  The area specifying unit 120 specifies an area corresponding to the server route set by the server route setting unit 110 based on the map information stored in the server DB 103.

  The link extraction unit 130 extracts links included in the area specified by the area specifying unit 120 based on the map information stored in the server DB 103. In addition, a link means what connected arbitrary points including the intersection or branching point on a road along the said road.

  The reading unit 140 reads VICS information and probe information corresponding to the link from the first traffic information DB 101 and the second traffic information DB 102 for the link extracted by the link extraction unit 130.

  The link traffic information setting unit 150 is based on the types of VICS information and probe information read by the reading unit 140 and the probability table stored in the server DB 103 for the probe information. The link traffic information of the link extracted by (link transit time) and its reliability (probability value) are set.

  The navigation device identification unit 160 receives the identification information of the car navigation system 200 from the car navigation system 200 of the first moving body M1, and recognizes the type of the car navigation system 200.

  On the other hand, the car navigation system 200 of the first moving body M1 includes a first navigation DB 201, a control unit 210, a liquid crystal panel 220, and operation buttons 222.

  The first navigation DB 201 stores a travel plan including the current position or departure position and destination position of the moving body M1, identification information, link traffic information transmitted from the navigation server 100, its reliability, and the like. The first navigation DB 201 stores map information (map information). Note that the map information stored in the first navigation DB 201 includes information transmitted from an external computer (not shown) as an information source to the car navigation system 200 through a network such as the Internet.

  The control unit 210 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and includes a travel plan recognition unit 211, a navigation route setting unit 212, a predicted traffic information setting unit 213, and a reliability setting unit 214.

  The travel plan recognizing unit 211 uses the GPS of the first moving body M1, and if the current position of the first moving body M1 or the user individually inputs the starting position through the operation button 222 of the car navigation system 200, the starting position And the travel plan including the destination position input through the operation button 222 by the user.

  The navigation route setting unit 212 moves based on the map information stored in the first navigation DB 201 from the travel plan including the current position or the departure position and the destination position of the moving body M1 stored in the first navigation DB 201. A navigation route to the target position of the body M1 is set.

  The predicted traffic information setting unit 213 sets the predicted traffic information of the navigation route set by the navigation route 212 based on the link traffic information stored in the first navigation DB 201.

  The reliability setting unit 214 sets the reliability of the predicted traffic information of the navigation route set by the navigation route 212 based on the reliability of the link traffic information stored in the first navigation DB 201.

  The liquid crystal panel 220 displays the position of the moving body M1, the navigation route, the predicted traffic information of the navigation route, the reliability of the predicted traffic information of the navigation route, and the like according to control by the control unit 210.

  The car navigation system 200 of the second moving body M2 includes a second navigation DB 202 and a travel history collection unit 215.

  The travel history collection unit 215 includes position information composed of latitude and longitude measured based on the output of the GPS or gyro sensor (not shown) mounted on the second mobile unit M2, and time information attached to the position information. The travel history of the second moving body M2 consisting of (time stamp) is collected at regular intervals.

  For convenience of explanation, the first moving body M1 and the second moving body M2 are distinguished here, but the same moving body is the first moving body M1 and the second moving body M2. Good.

  Functions of the navigation server 100 and the car navigation system 200 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, a procedure for storing probe information (second traffic information) in the second traffic information DB 102 of the navigation server 100 based on the travel history transmitted from the second mobile unit M2 to the navigation server 100 will be described with reference to FIG. explain.

  First, the travel history collection unit 215 of the car navigation system 200 of the second mobile unit M2 adds position information measured based on the output of a GPS or gyro sensor (not shown) mounted on the car navigation system 200 to the position information. The travel history consisting of the time information is collected (FIG. 2 / S215). Then, the car navigation system 200 of the second moving body M2 transmits the collected traveling history to the navigation server 100 at regular time intervals (for example, every 15 minutes).

  On the other hand, the navigation server 100 receives the travel history of the second mobile unit M2 transmitted from the car navigation system 200 of each second mobile unit M2 to the server 100 via the network.

  Next, the second traffic information DB 102 of the navigation server 100 is included in the travel history as shown in Table 1 based on the travel history of the second mobile unit M2 received from the car navigation system 200 of the second mobile unit M2. While specifying a link, the probe information which consists of the required travel time and the passage date and time of the link is calculated from the time information included in the travel history. Further, as shown in Table 2, the second traffic information DB 102 stores and manages probe information for each link in chronological order based on the calculated passage date and time.

  Here, the procedure for storing the probe information (second traffic information) calculated and set based on the travel history transmitted from the second mobile unit M2 to the navigation server 100 in the second traffic information DB 102 of the navigation server 100 is described. As described above, the information stored in the navigation server 100 includes VICS information (first traffic information) provided from the road traffic information communication system (VICS) center, which is an external information source, to the navigation server via the network. Is included. As shown in Table 3, the VICS information includes a required time for passing a link and its update date and time, and is stored in the first traffic information DB 101 of the navigation server 100.

  Next, the navigation server 100 sets a server route from the current position or the starting position of the first moving body M1 to the target position input to the car navigation system 200 of the first moving body by the user, and a link corresponding to the server route The procedure for extracting the VICS information and the probe information corresponding to the extracted link from the first traffic information DB 101 and the second traffic information DB 102 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, as shown in FIG. 3, the travel plan recognition unit 211 of the car navigation system 200 of the first mobile unit M1 sets the target position through the operation button 222 of the car navigation system 200 of the first mobile unit M1. The travel plan including the current position and the target position of the moving body M1 specified by is recognized (S211 in FIG. 3). When the user individually inputs the departure position of the moving body M, the departure position is used instead of the current position of the moving body M as a travel plan.

  Subsequently, the car navigation system 200 of the first moving body M1 transmits a travel plan to the navigation server 100. On the other hand, the navigation server 100 receives the travel plan transmitted from the car navigation system 200 of the first mobile unit M1 to the navigation server 100 via the network.

  Next, the server route setting unit 110 of the navigation server 100, based on the map information stored in the server DB 103, as shown in FIG. 4A, the current position or departure of the travel plan of the first mobile unit M1 Server routes R1 and R2 connecting the position PP and the target position TP are set (FIG. 3 / S110). Here, although two routes R1 and R2 are set as the server route, one or three or more server routes may be set.

  Subsequently, the area specifying unit 120 of the navigation server 100 reads map information from the server DB 103, and among a plurality of area elements (mesh, broken-line rectangle in the figure) included in the map information, shown in FIG. Thus, the area A (the bold line portion in the figure) including the routes R1 and R2 is specified (FIG. 3 / S120).

  Next, the link extraction unit 130 of the navigation server 100 extracts all links included in the area A as shown in FIG. 4C based on the map information stored in the server DB 103 (FIG. 3 / S130). ).

  Subsequently, the reading unit 140 of the navigation server 100 reads out the VICS information and the probe information corresponding to the link included in the area A extracted by the link extracting unit 130 from the first traffic information DB 101 and the second traffic information DB 102 ( FIG. 3 / S140).

  Next, the VICS information (first traffic information) and probe information (second traffic information) of the link included in the area A read from the first traffic information DB 101 and the second traffic information DB 102 by the reading unit 140 of the navigation server 100. ), The procedure of calculating and setting the link traffic information and the reliability of the link and transmitting it to the car navigation system 200 of the first mobile unit M1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, as shown in FIG. 3, the link traffic information setting unit 150 of the navigation server 100 includes the VICS information read from the first traffic information DB 101, the probe information read from the second traffic information DB 102, and the probability. From the table, link traffic information (required link passage time) and reliability (probability value) of each link included in the area A are calculated and set (FIG. 3 / S150).

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the link traffic information setting unit 150 selects each link included in the area A (FIG. 5 / S150-1), and reads the selected link from the first traffic information DB 101. It is determined whether or not the issued VICS information exists (FIG. 5 / S150-2).

  The link traffic information setting unit 150 sets the VICS information as the selected link traffic information when VICS information exists for the selected link (FIG. 5 / S150-2... YES). The reliability is set to 100% (FIG. 5 / S150-3).

  On the other hand, when there is no VICS information for the selected link (FIG. 5 / S150-2... NO), the link traffic information setting unit 150 is read from the second traffic information DB 102 for the selected link. It is determined whether probe information exists (FIG. 5 / S150-4).

  When the probe information read from the second traffic information DB 102 exists for the selected link (FIG. 5 / S150-4... YES), the link traffic information setting unit 150 uses the probe information. The link traffic information and its reliability are set using the probability table stored in the server DB 103 (FIG. 5 / S150-5).

  Specifically, the link traffic information setting unit 150 first calculates a time difference (information freshness) from the link passage date and time included in the probe information to the current time, and calculates the cumulative number according to the time difference. Subsequently, using the probability table in which the probability value is determined by the information freshness classification according to the time difference and the information amount classification according to the number, the probe information consisting of the previously calculated time difference and the cumulative number The maximum probability value is set as the reliability of the link traffic information (FIG. 5 / S150-5).

  For example, when the link selected as shown in Table 4 is the link a, the link traffic information setting unit 150 first passes the current date and time (for example, 2005/04/10 2005) of the link a included in the probe information. , 10:10) and the cumulative number of vehicles corresponding to the time difference category (for example, within 15 minutes) is calculated. For the link a, the time difference calculated based on the probe information and the cumulative number according to the category of the time difference are shown in Table 5.

  Next, as shown in Table 6, the link traffic information setting unit 150 uses the information probability table in which the probability value is determined by the information freshness classification according to the time difference and the information amount classification according to the number of units, and the probes shown in Table 5 are used. A probability value corresponding to the probe information is obtained from the time difference of information and the cumulative number. Then, as shown in Table 6, the maximum value (95%) of the probability values corresponding to the probe information (thick frame portion in Table 6) is set as the reliability of the traffic information of link a (FIG. 5 / S150-5).

  In addition, the link traffic information setting unit 150 calculates the average value of the required travel time of the link when the probability value corresponding to the probe information is the maximum from the required travel time of Table 5 and sets it as the link traffic information of the link a. To do. For example, in Table 5, the probability value corresponding to the probe information is the maximum for link a when the probability value is 95%, and this probability value corresponds to the time difference of Table 5 within 15 minutes. This is the case of (four of the thick frame portions in Table 5). As for the link traffic information of link a, the average value ((3 + 2 + 4 + 3) / 4 = 3 minutes) of the time required to pass through link a is obtained for the four vehicles corresponding to this time difference within 15 minutes. It sets (FIG. 5 / S150-5).

  On the other hand, if there is no probe information read from the second traffic information DB 102 for the selected link (FIG. 5 / S150-4... NO), the link traffic information setting unit 150 is stored in the server DB 103. Based on the map information, the link traffic information of the link and its reliability are set (FIG. 5 / S150-6).

  Specifically, the link traffic information setting unit 150 calculates the time required to pass through the link from the selected link distance and the legal speed, sets the link travel information as the link traffic information, and sets the reliability value. Is set to a constant value (for example, 50%) (FIG. 5 / S150-6).

  When the traffic information and the reliability of each selected link are set as described above (FIG. 5 / S150-3, / S150-5, 150-6), the link traffic information setting unit 150 It is confirmed whether or not the selection of links has been completed for all the links included in the region A (FIG. 5 / S150-7).

  Then, when the link selection has been completed for all the links included in the region A (FIG. 5 / S150-7... YES), the link traffic information and its reliability setting processing are terminated. On the other hand, if the selection of the links has not been completed for all the links included in the area A (FIG. 5 / S150-7... NO), the process returns to S105-1 to select a new link, The following processing of S150-2 described above is repeated.

  When all the link traffic information and its reliability included in the area A are set in this way (FIG. 3 / S150), the navigation server 100 is included in the area A in the car navigation system 200 of the first mobile unit M1. Send all link traffic information and its reliability.

  The navigation device identification unit 160 of the navigation server 100 can recognize the type of the car navigation system 200 of the first mobile unit M1 based on the identification information of the car navigation system 200 received from the car navigation system 200 of the first mobile unit M1. Therefore, when the type of the car navigation system 200 of the first mobile unit M1 is a type that can output the reliability, the navigation server 100 includes the link traffic information of all the links included in the area A in the car navigation system 200 of the first mobile unit M1. Send its reliability. On the other hand, when the type of the car navigation system 200 of the first mobile unit M1 recognized by the navigation device identification unit 160 is a type that cannot output the reliability, the navigation server 100 is included in the area A in the car navigation system 200 of the first mobile unit M1. Send only link traffic information for all links.

  Next, the car navigation system 200 of the first mobile unit M1 receives the link traffic information and reliability of all the links included in the area A transmitted from the navigation server 100, and the link traffic information and reliability of the link. A procedure for setting the predicted traffic information of the navigation route set by the navigation route setting unit 212 and its reliability will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the car navigation system 200 of the first mobile unit M1 receives the link traffic information and the reliability of all the links included in the area A from the navigation server 100, and stores them in the first navigation DB 201.

  Next, the navigation route setting unit 212 of the car navigation system 200 of the first moving body M1 is based on the travel plan stored in the first navigation DB 201 and the map information stored in the first navigation DB 201. The navigation routes R1 ′ and R2 ′ that connect the current position and the target position of the travel plan of the moving body M1 are set (FIG. 3 / S212). Here, although two routes are set as the navigation route, one or three or more navigation routes may be set. Further, the navigation routes R1 ′ and R2 ′ may coincide with the server routes R1 and R2 set by the server route setting unit 110 of the navigation server.

  Subsequently, the predicted traffic information setting unit 213 of the car navigation system 200 of the first mobile unit M1 is set by the navigation route setting unit 212 based on all link traffic information included in the area A stored in the first navigation DB 201. The predicted traffic information of the navigation route is set for each of the navigation routes R1 ′ and R2 ′ thus performed (S213 in FIG. 3).

  For example, as shown in Table 7, if the links included in the area A stored in the first navigation DB 201 are links a to e, and the link traffic information of the links a to e is set, the navigation When the route R1 ′ is composed of the link a, the link b, and the link e (navigation route R1 ′ = link a + link b + link e), the predicted traffic information of the navigation route R1 ′ is the link traffic information of the link a. It is set as a value (3 + 15 + 7 = 25 minutes) obtained by adding the link traffic information of link b and the link traffic information of link e. Similarly, when the navigation route R2 ′ includes a link c, a link d, and a link e (navigation route R2 ′ = link c + link d + link e), the predicted traffic information of the navigation route R1 ′ is the link c. The link traffic information, the link traffic information of link d, and the link traffic information of link e are set as a value (5 + 6 + 7 = 18 minutes).

  Next, the reliability setting unit 214 of the car navigation system 200 of the first mobile unit M1 determines the reliability of the link traffic information of all links included in the area A stored in the first navigation DB 201, and the first navigation DB 201. Based on the map information, the reliability of the predicted traffic information of the navigation route is set for each of the navigation routes R1 ′ and R2 ′ set by the navigation route setting unit 212.

  For example, as shown in Table 7 above, the links included in the area A stored in the first navigation DB 201 are the links a to e, and the link traffic information and the reliability of the links a to e are set. If the navigation route R1 ′ is composed of the link a, the link b, and the link e (R1 ′ = link a + link b + link e), the reliability of the predicted traffic information of the navigation route R1 ′ is The link traffic information reliability of link a (95%), the link traffic information reliability of link b (100%), and the link traffic information reliability of link e (100%), respectively, It is set as a value obtained by weighting and adding according to the ratio of the distance of the link b and the distance of the link e to the distance of the navigation route R1 ′.

  In this case, if the distances of the links a to e are as shown in Table 8 from the map information of the first navigation DB 201, the distance of the navigation route R1 ′ is the value of the link a, the link b, and the link e. Is calculated as (2 + 7 + 4 = 13 km). Therefore, the reliability of the predicted traffic information of the navigation route R1 ′ is the ratio of the distance (2 km) of the link a to the distance (13 km) of the navigation route R1 ′ to the reliability (95%) of the link traffic information of the link a. The value obtained by multiplying the reliability (100%) of the link traffic information of the link b by the ratio of the distance (7 km) of the link b to the distance (13 km) of the navigation route R1 ′, and the link traffic of the link e A value (95 × (2/13) + 100 × (7) obtained by multiplying the reliability of information (100%) by the ratio of the distance (4 km) of the link a to the distance (13 km) of the navigation route R1 ′. / 13) + 100 × (4/13) ≈99%). Similarly, when the navigation route R2 ′ includes the link c, the link d, and the link e, the reliability of the predicted traffic information of the navigation route R2 ′ is set to the reliability (60%) of the link traffic information of the link c. The value obtained by multiplying the distance (5 km) of the link a occupying the distance (15 km) of the navigation route R2 ′ and the reliability (55%) of the link traffic information of the link d to the distance (15 km) of the navigation route R2 ′ The ratio of the distance (4 km) of the link a to the distance (15 km) of the navigation route R1 ′ to the value (100%) of the link traffic information of the link e multiplied by the ratio of the distance (6 km) of the occupied link b A value obtained by adding the value multiplied by (60 × (5/15) + 55 × (6/15) + 100 × (4/15) ≈69%) is set.

  FIG. 6 schematically shows how the predicted traffic information of the navigation route set as described above and the reliability thereof are output to the liquid crystal panel 220 of the car navigation system 200 of the first moving body M1. Thereby, the user can recognize how reliable the predicted traffic information in the route output to the liquid crystal panel 220 of the car navigation system 200 is.

  Next, another embodiment of the present embodiment will be described.

  As another aspect of the present embodiment, instead of the area specifying unit 120 and the link extracting unit 130 of the navigation server 100, a node-based link extracting unit (not shown) may be provided.

  In this case, the link extraction unit based on the node of the navigation server 100 uses the server routes R1 and R2 set by the server route setting unit 110 based on the map information of the server DB 103 instead of the area specifying unit 120 of the navigation server 100. As shown in FIG. 7A, all intersections or branch points on the server route are specified as the first node N1.

  Next, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, the node-based link extraction unit is a branch point or intersection on the road including one of the first nodes N1, and is a point other than the first node N1. Is identified as the second node N2. Then, a point other than the second node N2 and the first node N1, which is a branch point or an intersection on the road including the second node N2, is specified as the third node N3.

  Subsequently, the node-based link extraction unit performs a series of processes for specifying the second node N2 and the third node N3 for all the first nodes N1 on the server route shown in FIG. As shown in (c), all the second nodes N2 and the third nodes N3 corresponding to the first node N1 are specified.

  Finally, instead of the link extraction unit 130, the link extraction unit based on the node is based on the links on the server routes R1 and R2 connecting the first nodes N1, the first node N1, and the first node N1. Links relating to the server routes R1 and R2 and links linking the second node N2 identified in this way and links linking each second node N2 and the third node N3 identified based on the second node N2 Extract as

  As described above, the link extraction unit based on the node includes the links constituting the server routes R1 and R2 (the road portion connecting the first nodes N1) among the links included in the map information, and the link and the first node. The primary link (the road portion connecting the first node N1 and the second node N2) that shares N1 and the secondary link (the second node N2 and the third node that share the primary link and the second node N2). The road portion connecting the node N3) can be extracted, and a group of links related to the server routes R1 and R2 can be extracted.

  In the present embodiment, the navigation server 100 includes a server route setting unit 110, an area specifying unit 120, a link extraction unit 130, and a link traffic information setting unit 150, and the car navigation system 200 of the first mobile unit M1. Includes a navigation route setting unit 212, a predicted traffic information setting unit 213, and a reliability setting unit 214. The navigation server 100 includes a server route setting unit 110, a region specifying unit 120, and link extraction. Unit 130, link traffic information setting unit 150, navigation route setting unit 212, predicted traffic information setting unit 213, and reliability setting unit 214. 200 is a server route setting unit 110, a region specifying unit 120, a link extracting unit 130, a link traffic information setting unit 150, and a navigation route setting unit 21. When a predicted traffic information setting unit 213, may be configured to include anything other than what provided in the navigation server 100 among the reliability setting unit 214.

  However, in this case, when the navigation server 100 or the car navigation system 200 of the first moving body M1 includes both the server route setting unit 110 and the navigation route setting unit 212, it is not necessary to set another route. Either one of the route setting units can be omitted.

  The information stored and managed in the first traffic information DB 101, the second traffic information DB 102, and the server DB 103 is transmitted to the navigation server 100 through a network such as the Internet from information stored in a server outside the navigation server 100. Things are included. Moreover, the structure by which some or all of each process part is distributedly processed by a some server may be sufficient.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the traffic information is the time required for passing the link. However, the traffic information is not limited to this. For example, the traffic information is obtained from an image taken by an imaging unit provided in the second moving body. A value obtained by calculating the number of moving objects at the time of passage may be used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The structure explanatory drawing of the navigation server and navigation apparatus as one Embodiment of this invention. Functional explanatory drawing of the navigation server and navigation apparatus as one Embodiment of this invention. Functional explanatory drawing of the navigation server and navigation apparatus as one Embodiment of this invention. Functional explanatory drawing of the navigation server and navigation apparatus as one Embodiment of this invention. Functional explanatory drawing of the navigation server and navigation apparatus as one Embodiment of this invention. Functional explanatory drawing of the navigation server and navigation apparatus as one Embodiment of this invention. Functional explanatory drawing of the navigation server and navigation apparatus as one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Navi server, 101 ... 1st traffic information DB, 102 ... 2nd traffic information DB, 103 ... Server DB, 110 ... Server route setting part, 120 ... Area specification part, 130 ... Link extraction part, 140 ... Reading part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 150 ... Link traffic information setting part, 160 ... Navi apparatus identification part, 200 ... Car navigation (navigation apparatus), 201 ... 1st navigation DB, 202 ... 2nd navigation DB, 210 ... Control part, 211 ... Travel plan recognition part, 212 ... Navi route setting unit, 213 ... Predicted traffic information setting unit, 214 ... Reliability setting unit, 215 ... Running history collection unit, 220 ... Liquid crystal panel, 222 ... Operating buttons, A ... Region, M1 ... First moving body, M2 ... second mobile unit, R1, R2 ... server route, R1 ', R2' ... navigation route PP ... position, TP ... target location

Claims (6)

A navigation server that provides information to a first mobile body through communication with a navigation device mounted on the first mobile body,
First traffic information storage means for storing and holding first traffic information received from a predetermined traffic information source;
Second traffic information storage means for storing and holding second traffic information received from the second mobile body and calculated based on a travel history consisting of position information and time information of the second mobile body;
Included in the first traffic information and the second traffic information based on the first traffic information stored and held in the first traffic information storage means and the second traffic information stored and held in the second traffic information storage means Link traffic information setting means for setting the link traffic information and the reliability of the link,
Based on the travel plan received from the navigation device mounted on the first moving body and including the current position or departure position of the first moving body and the destination position, and the map information read from the predetermined storage means, A server route setting means for setting a server route from a current position or a departure position to a destination position of one mobile unit;
A navigation server comprising server transmission means for transmitting link traffic information and reliability of a link corresponding to the server route set by the server route setting means to the navigation device. In the first traffic information, the link traffic information setting means sets the first traffic information as link traffic information and sets its reliability to a predetermined probability value.
In the second traffic information, for links other than the links included in the first traffic information, the probability is determined from the information freshness classification according to the time information and the information amount classification according to the information amount of the second traffic information. Based on the probability table for calculating the value, the average value of the second traffic information corresponding to the case where the probability value is the maximum among the probability values of the probability table corresponding to the second traffic information is set as the link traffic information. The navigation server according to claim 1, wherein a maximum value of the probability value is set as the reliability. The navigation server further includes navigation device identification means for receiving the identification information of the navigation device transmitted from the navigation device and identifying the type of the navigation device from the identification information of the navigation device,
The server transmission means navigates the reliability in addition to the link traffic information of the link corresponding to the server route only when the type of the navigation device identified by the navigation device identification means is a predetermined type. The navigation server according to claim 1, wherein the navigation server is transmitted to a device. A navigation device that provides traffic information to a first mobile body based on communication with a navigation server,
When link traffic information and its reliability are received from the navigation server, based on a travel plan including the current position or departure position and destination position of the first moving body, and map information read from a predetermined storage means A navigation route setting means for setting a navigation route from the current position or the starting position of the first moving body to the target position;
Predicted traffic information setting means for setting predicted traffic information of the navigation route set by the navigation route setting means;
Reliability setting means for setting the reliability of the predicted traffic information of the navigation route set by the navigation route setting means,
The predicted traffic information setting means sets the sum of the link traffic information of each link on the navigation route as the predicted traffic information of the navigation route based on the link traffic information received from the navigation server,
The reliability setting means calculates the ratio of the distance that each link on the navigation route occupies the entire navigation route from the map information used when setting the navigation route, and the navigation server according to the ratio A navigation device characterized in that a value obtained by weighting and adding the reliability of link traffic information received from is set as the reliability of predicted traffic information of a navigation route. A communication system comprising a navigation device mounted on a first mobile body and a navigation server that provides information to the navigation device,
The navigation server includes first traffic information storage means for storing and storing first traffic information received from a predetermined traffic information source;
Second traffic information storage means for storing and holding second traffic information received from the second mobile body and calculated based on a travel history consisting of position information and time information of the second mobile body;
Included in the first traffic information and the second traffic information based on the first traffic information stored and held in the first traffic information storage means and the second traffic information stored and held in the second traffic information storage means Link traffic information setting means for setting the link traffic information and the reliability of the link,
Based on the travel plan received from the navigation device mounted on the first moving body and including the current position or departure position of the first moving body and the destination position, and the map information read from the predetermined storage means, A server route setting means for setting a server route from a current position or a departure position to a destination position of one mobile unit;
Server transmission means for transmitting link traffic information and reliability of the link according to the server route set by the server route setting means to the navigation device,
When the navigation device receives the link traffic information and the reliability thereof from the navigation server, the navigation device reads the travel plan including the current position or the starting position and the destination position of the first moving body from a predetermined storage unit. Navigation route setting means for setting a navigation route from the current position or the starting position of the first moving body to the destination position based on the map information;
Predicted traffic information setting means for setting predicted traffic information of the navigation route set by the navigation route setting means;
Reliability setting means for setting the reliability of the predicted traffic information of the navigation route set by the navigation route setting means,
The predicted traffic information setting means sets the sum of the link traffic information of each link on the navigation route as the predicted traffic information of the navigation route based on the link traffic information received from the navigation server,
The reliability setting means calculates a ratio of a distance that each link on the navigation route occupies in the entire navigation route from the map information used when setting the navigation route, and the navigation server according to the ratio A communication system characterized in that a value obtained by weighting and adding the reliability of link traffic information received from is set as the reliability of predicted traffic information of a navigation route. A communication system comprising a navigation device mounted on a first mobile body and a navigation server that provides information to the navigation device,
First traffic information storage means for storing and holding first traffic information received from a predetermined traffic information source;
Second traffic information storage means for storing and holding second traffic information received from the second mobile body and calculated based on a travel history consisting of position information and time information of the second mobile body;
A route from the current position or the starting position to the destination position of the first moving body based on the travel plan including the current position or the starting position and the destination position of the first moving body and the map information read from the predetermined storage means Route setting means for setting
Reading means for reading out the first traffic information and the second traffic information according to the route set by the route setting means;
Link traffic information setting means for setting the link traffic information of links included in the first traffic information and the second traffic information and the reliability based on the first traffic information and the second traffic information;
Predicted traffic information setting means for setting the predicted traffic information of the route set by the route setting means based on the link traffic information set by the link traffic information setting means;
The reliability of the predicted traffic information of the route set by the route setting means is based on the reliability of the link traffic information set by the link traffic information setting means and the map information used when setting the route. Reliability setting means for setting,
The navigation server includes the first traffic information storage means, the second traffic information storage means, the reading means, the route setting means, the link traffic information setting means, the predicted traffic information setting means, and the reliability setting. With some or all of the means,
The navigation apparatus includes a route setting unit, the link traffic information setting unit, the predicted traffic information setting unit, and the reliability setting unit other than those included in the navigation server. .

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