JP2021103103A - Information provision device and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an information provision device and a computer program, with which it is possible to achieve appropriate provision of information premised on condition that a point reachable using either an open road or a toll road can be reached by either an open road or a toll road.SOLUTION: The information provision device is constituted so as to associate a destination road type that indicates the road type of a road usable when reaching a point with the point settable to a destination included in map information, and associate a general road and a toll road as the destination road type with a point reachable using specifically either the open road or the toll road so as to provide a user with information that pertains to the point using the associated destination road types.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

The present invention relates to an information providing device and a computer program that provide information on points included in map information.

In recent years, a navigation device that provides driving guidance for a vehicle so that the driver can easily reach a desired destination is often mounted on the vehicle. Here, the navigation device detects the current position of the own vehicle by a GPS receiver or the like, acquires the map data corresponding to the current position through a recording medium such as a DVD-ROM or HDD, or a network, and displays it on the liquid crystal monitor. It is a device that can be used. Further, such a navigation device also provides information on a point of interest (POI) that is of interest to users such as facilities around the current position of the own vehicle. Specifically, it provides information on the route to reach the point and information on what kind of point the point is. Further, in recent years, some mobile phones, smartphones, tablet terminals, personal computers and the like have the same functions as the above navigation devices.

Here, when providing information on a point by the navigation device or the like, it is important to specify the road type of the road that can be used when reaching the point. For example, for points that can be reached using only toll roads, it is necessary to provide routes and other guidance information on the assumption that they will be reached by toll roads, regardless of whether they use general roads or toll roads. It is necessary to provide routes and other guidance information on the premise that reachable points can be reached on both general roads and toll roads. However, in the past, whether the points on the map were reachable using only general roads or reachable using only toll roads, either general roads or toll roads were used. Even so, the device side does not have information for identifying whether it is a reachable point, and there is a problem that such information cannot be provided appropriately. Therefore, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-105600, when a point is selected by a cursor and set as a destination or a waypoint, roads of different road types (for example, general roads and toll roads) are provided near the selected points. When there are a plurality of them, a technique has been proposed that provides a route to reach the point according to the road type of the road closest to the point or the road type selected by the user.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-105600 (page 7)

Here, there are points on the map that can be reached by using either a general road such as a highway oasis or a toll road. However, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, only one of the road types is finally selected for such a point, and the route is provided on the premise that the route is reached by the selected road type. There was a problem that it was not possible to provide appropriate information on points that could be reached by using either general roads or toll roads. It is also appropriate when the user does not know whether the point selected as the destination or waypoint is a point that can be reached using a general road or a point that can be reached using a toll road. There is also a problem that it is not possible to provide various information.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and the points that can be reached by using either the general road or the toll road can be reached by either the general road or the toll road. The purpose is to provide an information providing device and a computer program capable of providing appropriate information on the premise of.

In order to achieve the above object, the information providing device according to the present invention indicates a destination that indicates a road type of a road that can be used when reaching the point with respect to a point that can be set as the destination included in the map information. It has a road type setting means for associating a road type and an information providing means for providing information on the point to a user by using the destination road type linked by the road type setting means. The road type setting means links the general road and the toll road as the destination road type to a point that can be reached by using either the general road or the toll road.
The toll roads include national highways, urban highways, general toll roads, toll bridges, and toll ferry facilities. In the case of "linking toll roads as destination road types," only some of them are used. Is also included as a destination road type.

Further, the computer program according to the present invention is a computer program that provides information about a point to a user. Specifically, the computer links the destination road type that indicates the road type of the road that can be used when reaching the point to the point that can be set as the destination included in the map information. A computer program for functioning as an information providing means for providing information on the point to a user by using the setting means and the destination road type linked by the road type setting means. , The road type setting means links the general road and the toll road as the destination road type to a point that can be reached by using either the general road or the toll road.

According to the information providing device and the computer program according to the present invention having the above configuration, it is possible to reach a point that can be reached by using either a general road or a toll road on either a general road or a toll road. Since the indicated destination road type is linked, it is possible to specify a point that can be reached by either a general road or a toll road on the device side based on the destination road type, and it is possible to provide more appropriate information. In addition, appropriate information should be provided using the destination road type associated with the point even if the user has no knowledge of the point, without imposing an operational burden on the user's selection of the road type. Is possible.

It is a schematic block diagram which showed the information provision system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which showed the structure of the information provision system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a block diagram which showed the structure of the information terminal which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart of the route search processing program which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which showed the display example of the route information. It is a figure explaining the route search method when the destination is a point that can be reached by both a general road and a toll road. It is a flowchart of the sub-processing program of the destination road type setting processing. It is a flowchart of the sub-processing program of the destination road type selection processing. It is a flowchart of the point information guidance processing program which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which showed the display example of the guidance information when a general road is selected as a destination road type. It is a figure which showed the display example of the guidance information when a toll road is selected as a destination road type.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the information providing device according to the present invention is embodied in the server device 1 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, a schematic configuration of the information providing system 2 including the server device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an information providing system 2 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information providing system 2 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information providing system 2 according to the present embodiment basically includes a server device 1 included in the information distribution center 3 and an information terminal 5 owned by the user 4. Further, the server device 1 and the information terminal 5 are configured to be able to send and receive electronic data to and from each other via the communication network 6. The information terminal 5 includes, for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, a navigation device which is an in-vehicle device, and the like. Further, in the following description, it is assumed that the user 4 is in a vehicle, but the user 4 may be in a transportation means other than the vehicle, or is moving on foot. It may be.

Here, the server device 1 executes the route search in response to the request of the information terminal 5. Specifically, when a destination is set in the information terminal 5 or when a route is re-searched (rerouted), it is necessary to search for a route such as a departure point or a destination from the information terminal 5 to the server device 1. The information is transmitted together with the route search request (however, in the case of re-search, the information about the destination does not necessarily have to be transmitted). Then, the server device 1 that has received the route search request performs a route search using the map information possessed by the server device 1 and specifies a recommended route from the departure point to the destination. After that, the specified recommended route is transmitted to the requesting information terminal 5. Then, the information terminal 5 sets the received recommended route as the guidance route, and performs movement guidance according to the guidance route. As a result, even if the map information possessed by the information terminal 5 at the time of route search is an old version of the map information or the information terminal 5 does not have the map information itself, the latest version of the map possessed by the server device 1 It is possible to set an appropriate guidance route based on the information. In addition, when searching for a route from the departure point to the destination, it is recommended to switch between multiple means of transportation such as walking, private cars, railroads, buses, ships, and airplanes (multimodal). It is also possible to search for a route.

However, the route search process does not necessarily have to be performed by the server device 1, and the information terminal 5 may perform the route search process as long as the information terminal 5 has map information.

On the other hand, as the information terminal 5, an information terminal possessed by the user 4 and having a navigation function is used, and examples thereof include mobile phones, smartphones, tablet terminals, personal computers, and navigation devices that are in-vehicle devices.

Here, the navigation function provides route information for specifying the route searched by the server device 1, provides information on points included in the map information, acquires from the server, and stores the map in the memory. A function that displays a map image around the current position of the user 4 based on the data, displays the current position of the user 4 in the displayed map image, and provides movement guidance along the set guidance route is applicable. To do. It should be noted that it is not necessary for the information terminal 5 to have all of the above navigation functions, and the present invention can be configured as long as it has at least a function of providing route information and a function of providing information on points. ..

In addition, the communication network 6 includes a large number of base stations located all over the country and a communication company that manages and controls each base station, and the base stations and communication companies are connected to each other by wire (optical fiber, ISDN, etc.) or wirelessly. It is configured by connecting. Here, the base station has a transceiver (transmitter / receiver) and an antenna for communicating with the information terminal 5. Then, while the base station performs wireless communication between the communication companies, it becomes the terminal of the communication network 6 and relays the communication of the information terminal 5 within the range (cell) of the radio wave of the base station with the server device 1. Has a role to play.

Subsequently, the configuration of the server device 1 in the information providing system 2 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the server device 1 includes a server control ECU 11, a map information DB 12 stored in an information recording means connected to the server control ECU 11, and a server-side communication device 13.

The server control ECU 11 (electronic control unit) is an electronic control unit that controls the entire server device 1, and is used as a computing device, a CPU 21 as a control device, and a working memory when the CPU 21 performs various arithmetic processes. In addition to the RAM 22 and the control program, the ROM 23 in which the route search processing program (FIG. 4) and the point information guidance processing program (FIG. 9) described later are recorded, the flash memory 24 for storing the program read from the ROM 23, etc. It is equipped with an internal storage device. The server control ECU 11 has various means as a processing algorithm together with the ECU of the information terminal 5 described later. For example, the road type setting means associates a point that can be set as a destination included in the map information with a destination road type that indicates the road type of the road that can be used when reaching the point. The information providing means provides the user with information about the point by using the destination road type linked by the road type setting means.

Further, the map information DB 12 is a storage means for storing the latest version of the map information registered based on the input data and the input operation from the outside. Here, the map information is composed of various information necessary for route search, route guidance, and map display, including the road network. For example, network data including nodes and links indicating a road network, link data 25 related to roads (links), node data 26 related to node points, point data 27 related to points such as facilities, search data 28 for searching routes, and so on. It consists of intersection data related to intersections, map display data for displaying a map, search data for searching points, and the like.

Further, the link data 25 includes the width of the road to which the link belongs, the width of the road, the presence or absence of the central separation zone, the cant, the bank, the condition of the road surface, the number of lanes of the road, and the number of lanes for each link constituting the road. Data representing areas of decrease, narrowing of width, crossings, etc., regarding corners, data representing radius of curvature, intersections, T-shaped roads, corner entrances and exits, etc., regarding road attributes, downhill roads, uphill roads, etc. In addition to general roads such as national roads, prefectural roads, and narrow streets, data representing toll roads such as national highways, urban highways, general toll roads, and toll bridges are recorded.

Further, the node data 26 includes the coordinates (positions) of the actual road branch points (including intersections, T-shaped roads, etc.) and the node points set for each predetermined distance according to the radius of curvature of each road. A node attribute that indicates whether a node is a node corresponding to an intersection, a connection link number list that is a list of link numbers of links that connect to a node, and an adjacency that is a list of node numbers of nodes that are adjacent to a node via a link. Data related to the node number list, the height (altitude) of each node point, etc. are recorded.

Further, as the point data 27, information about a point to be a departure place, a destination, a guidance target, etc. is stored in the information terminal 5. For example, accommodation facilities such as hotels and inns, refueling facilities such as gas stations, service areas, parking areas, road service facilities such as highway oasis, commercial facilities such as shopping malls, supermarkets, shopping centers, convenience stores, theme parks, games Information on entertainment facilities such as centers, restaurants, bars, restaurants such as taverns, parking facilities such as public parking lots, transportation facilities, religious facilities such as temples and churches, and public facilities such as museums and museums is applicable. .. The information stored as the point data 27 includes, for example, a facility name, position coordinates, a genre, an address, the presence or absence of a parking lot, the number of cars that can be parked, and business hours. For road service facilities such as service areas and parking areas, information on whether or not smart interchanges are installed is also stored. Further, in the present embodiment, the server device 1 can be used when reaching a point that can be set as a destination included in the map information DB 12 when performing a route search process as described later. Link the destination road type that indicates the road type of the road. Then, various types of information are provided using the road type associated with the point. Details will be described later.

Further, as the search data 28, various data used in the route search process for searching the route from the departure point (for example, the current position of the user) to the set destination are recorded. Specifically, the cost that quantifies the degree of appropriateness as a route to an intersection (hereinafter referred to as intersection cost or node cost) and the cost that quantifies the degree of appropriateness as a route to a link constituting a road (hereinafter referred to as link cost). ) Etc., the cost calculation data used to calculate the search cost is stored.

Furthermore, various information for searching routes using means of transportation such as railroads, buses, ships, and airplanes (railway lines, railroad timetables, bus stops, bus routes, bus timetables, ship routes, ships, etc. Timetables, flight routes, flight timetables, etc.) are also stored. However, this information may be obtained from an external server.

On the other hand, the server-side communication device 13 is a communication device for communicating with the information terminal 5 via the communication network 6. In addition to the information terminal 5, traffic consisting of information such as traffic congestion information, regulation information, and traffic accident information transmitted from an Internet network, a traffic information center, for example, a VICS (registered trademark: Vehicle Information and Communication System) center, etc. It is also possible to receive information.

Next, the schematic configuration of the information terminal 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the information terminal 5 according to the present embodiment. In the following, a case where the information terminal 5 is a smartphone will be described as an example.

As shown in FIG. 3, the information terminal 5 is a data bus BUS, a CPU 31, a memory 32 in which user information (user ID, name, etc.) related to a user 4 possessing the information terminal 5 is stored, and a communication network network 6. The transmission / output circuit unit (RF) 33 that transmits / receives signals to / from the base station and the RF (Radio Frequency) signal received by the transmission / reception circuit unit 33 are converted into a baseband signal and the baseband signal is converted into an RF signal. A baseband processing unit 34, an input / output unit 37 that is an interface between a microphone 35, a speaker 36, and the like, a display 38 that is composed of a liquid crystal display panel and the like, and an input operation unit 39 that is composed of a touch panel, hard buttons, and the like. , GPS 40 and the camera 41 are connected to each other.

Here, the CPU 31 built in the information terminal 5 is a control means of the information terminal 5 that executes various operations according to an operation program stored in the memory 32, and constitutes the information terminal ECU 42 together with the memory 32. Further, various processing contents of the information terminal ECU 42 are displayed on the display 38 as needed.

Further, the memory 32 is a storage medium in which user information (user ID, name, etc.) related to the user 4 possessing the information terminal 5 is stored. In addition, various application programs including a route search processing program (FIG. 4) and a point information guidance processing program (FIG. 9), which will be described later, are also stored. Further, map information may be stored in the memory 32. If the map information is stored in the memory 32, the processing related to the route search can be performed not by the server device 1 but by the information terminal 5. Further, the memory 32 may be configured by a hard disk, a memory card, or the like.

Further, the display 38 is arranged on one surface of the housing, and a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like is used. Then, various information such as a top screen for executing various applications installed in the information terminal 5, screens related to the executed applications (Internet screen, mail screen, etc.), images, moving images, and the like are displayed. In addition, when a route search is performed, the route information that identifies the searched route is also displayed. In addition, point information about points on the map is also displayed.

Further, the input operation unit 39 is composed of a touch panel provided on the front surface of the display 38, hard buttons arranged on the housing, and the like. Then, the information terminal ECU 42 controls to execute various corresponding operations based on the electric signal output by pressing the touch panel or the hard button. The input operation unit 39 can also be configured by various keys such as a number / character input key, a cursor key for moving the cursor for selecting the displayed content, and a decision key for confirming the selection.

Further, the GPS 40 makes it possible to detect the current position and the current date and time of the information terminal 5 (that is, the user 4) by receiving the radio wave generated by the artificial satellite. Further, in addition to the GPS 40, another device (for example, a gyro sensor or the like) for detecting the current position and orientation of the information terminal 5 may be provided.

Further, the camera 41 is a small image pickup device composed of a camera using a solid-state image pickup device such as a CCD, and is built in the back side of the information terminal 5. Then, the user can operate the input operation unit 39 in a state where the dedicated application program is started to take an image of the surroundings. The captured image captured by the camera 41 is stored in the memory 32.

Subsequently, a route search processing program executed by the server device 1 and the information terminal 5 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the route search processing program according to the present embodiment. Here, the route search processing program is executed after the navigation application is started on the information terminal 5, and is a program that searches for a route to a destination according to a user's operation and provides route information for specifying the searched route. Is. However, when the information terminal 5 is a navigation device for an in-vehicle device, the information terminal 5 is executed after the ACC power supply (accessory power supply) of the vehicle is turned on. The programs shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 7 to 9 below are stored in the memory 32 of the information terminal 5 or the RAM 22 or ROM 23 of the server device 1, and are stored in the CPU 31 or the CPU 21. Is executed by.

First, a route search processing program executed by the information terminal 5 will be described.
In step 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 1, the CPU 31 determines whether or not an operation for inputting a destination has been performed. The operation of inputting the destination is performed based on, for example, a reading operation of the registered point, a facility search or selection operation.

Then, when it is determined that the operation for inputting the destination has been performed (S1: YES), the process proceeds to S2. On the other hand, when it is determined that the operation for inputting the destination has not been performed (S1: NO), the route search processing program is terminated.

In S2, the CPU 31 transmits a route search request for requesting a route search from the departure point to the destination to the server device 1. The route search request includes a terminal ID that identifies the information terminal 5 that is the source of the route search request, a departure point (for example, the user's current position) that is a search condition for the route search, and a destination set in S1. Contains information that identifies and. The departure place may be set based on the input operation of the user as well as the destination.

After that, in S3, the CPU 31 receives the "search route information" transmitted from the server device 1 in response to the route search request. Here, the "search route information" received in S3 is a recommended route from the departure point to the destination searched using the map information possessed by the server device 1 based on the route search request transmitted in S2. Information that identifies (referred to as the center route) (for example, a link sequence included in the center route). The details of the search for the center route in the server device 1 will be described later.

In addition, when searching for a center route, search for a recommended route in consideration of switching between multiple means of transportation such as walking, private cars, railroads, buses, ships, and airplanes (multimodal). Is also possible. In that case, the "search route information" transmitted from the server device 1 also includes information for specifying the moving means for moving the center route.

Subsequently, in S4, the CPU 31 displays the route information for identifying the center route received in S3 on the display 38. Here, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a route guidance screen 51 in which route information is displayed on the display 38. In particular, FIG. 5 shows an example of a route guidance screen 51 displayed when the user moves from the current position to the destination in a vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 5, on the route guidance screen 51, the center route 52 received in S3 is displayed overlapping on the map image 53. In addition, various information related to the center route 52 is also displayed on the route guidance screen 51, and for example, the interchange to be used, the total distance to the destination, and the mileage of the toll road when using the toll road are also displayed. .. The guidance start button 54 is also displayed on the route guidance screen 51. When the guidance start button 54 is pressed, the center route currently displayed on the route guidance screen 51 can be set as the guidance route to be the target of the movement guidance. When it is set as a guide route, movement guidance based on the set guide route is started. The user can also change the search condition again after visually recognizing the displayed route information of the center route. Further, a plurality of center routes may be acquired from the server device 1, and a center route selected by the user from among the plurality of center routes may be set as a guide route.

Next, the route search processing program executed in the server device 1 will be described.
First, in S11, the CPU 21 receives the route search request transmitted from the information terminal 5. The route search request includes a terminal ID that identifies the information terminal 5 that is the source of the route search request, a departure point (for example, the user's current position) that is a search condition for the route search, and a destination set in S1. Contains information that identifies and.

After that, in S12, the CPU 21 executes the destination road type setting process (FIG. 7) described later. Here, the destination road type setting process can be used when reaching the point set as the destination in the map information DB 12 among the points that can be set as the destination, particularly the point set as the destination in S1. It is a process of associating the destination road type that indicates the road type of the road. In the present embodiment, one or both of the two types of roads, "general road" and "toll road", are linked as the destination road type. However, the types of roads to be linked are not limited to the above two types, and for example, national expressways, urban expressways, general toll roads, narrow streets, and the like may be linked.

Subsequently, in S13, the CPU 21 determines whether or not both the "general road" and the "toll road" are associated with the point set as the destination in the S1 as a result of the destination road type setting process in the S12. To judge.

Then, as a result of the destination road type setting process in S12, it is determined that both the "general road" and the "toll road" are linked to the point set as the destination in S1 (S13:). YES), that is, if the destination is a point that can be reached by using either a general road or a toll road, the process proceeds to S14. On the other hand, when it is determined that only one of the "general road" and the "toll road" is associated with the point set as the destination in S1 (S13: NO), that is, the general road. If the destination is a point that can be reached by only one of the toll roads, the process proceeds to S15.

In S14, the CPU 21 executes the destination road type selection process (FIG. 8) described later. Here, the destination road type selection process reaches the destination in consideration of the current situation of the user, especially when the destination is a reachable point using either a general road or a toll road. It is a process to select an appropriate road type to be used at the time.

Subsequently, in S15, the CPU 21 determines the route search request received in S11, the destination road type associated with the point set as the destination in S12, and S14 when the S14 is performed. Based on the road type selected in step 1 and the map information possessed by the server device 1, the route search process from the departure point to the destination is performed, and the recommended route (center route) from the departure point to the destination is specified. For example, a known Dijkstra method is used to search for the center route, and the route that minimizes the total cost value is set as the center route. Further, the search data 28 included in the map information is used for calculating the cost value. In the search data 28, the cost calculation used to calculate the node cost (intersection cost) that quantifies the appropriate degree as the route for the intersection and the link cost that quantifies the appropriate degree as the route for the link constituting the road. The data is stored. Therefore, for example, among the routes that can constitute the route from the departure point to the destination, the route having the smallest total of the link cost and the node cost is specified as the center route. In the search for the recommended route, the cost is calculated according to the means of transportation. For example, when the means of transportation is a vehicle, the cost value of wide roads such as national roads and prefectural roads is reduced, and when the means of transportation is walking, the cost value of roads with sidewalks is reduced.

Further, when searching for the center route, it is a condition that the destination is reached by the road of the road type corresponding to the destination road type associated with the point set as the destination in S12. Search for a route. That is, when the destination is a point that can be reached only by the general road, the general road is linked as the destination road type, so that the center route is a route that reaches the destination by the general road. Further, when the destination is a point that can be reached only by the toll road, the toll road is linked as the destination road type, so that the center route is a route that reaches the destination by the toll road.

In addition, exceptionally when the destination is a point that can be reached by using either a general road or a toll road, the general road and the toll road are linked as the destination road type, so that the general road or the toll road is linked. Of these, the route is searched on the condition that the destination is reached by the road of the road type selected in S14. As a result, the center route becomes a route that reaches the destination in the road type selected in S14 among the general roads and toll roads.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the destination is a facility (highway oasis, etc.) 55 that can be reached by using either a general road or a toll road, a route from the general road to the facility 55 as a center route. Both the 56 and the route 57 from the toll road to the facility 55 can be searched. Therefore, in S14, a more appropriate road type is selected by using it when arriving at the destination in consideration of the current situation of the user and the like. Then, when the general road is selected in S14, the route 56 from the general road to the facility 55 is searched as the center route, and when the toll road is selected in S14, the toll road to the facility 55 is searched. The route 57 that arrives at is searched as the center route. However, without selecting the road type in S14, the route 56 from the general road to the facility 55 and the route 57 from the toll road to the facility 55 may be searched as the center route, respectively. In that case, it is desirable to transmit the searched plurality of center routes to the information terminal 5 and let the user finally select one of them.

Next, in S16, the CPU 21 transmits "search route information (for example, a link string included in the center route)" that identifies the center route specified in S15 to the information terminal 5 that is the source of the route search request. .. Then, the information terminal 5 to which the "search route information" is distributed guides the distributed center route to the user via the display 38 or the like as described above (S4).

Next, a sub-process of the destination road type setting process executed in S12 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a sub-processing program for setting the destination road type.

First, in S21, the CPU 21 maps information about the points set as the destination in the map information DB 12, particularly the points set as the destination in the S1 based on the route search request received in the S11. Obtained from information DB 12. Specifically, the position coordinates and genre of the point set as the destination are acquired. In addition, especially when the genre of the point is a road service facility such as a service area or a parking area, information on whether or not a smart interchange is installed is also acquired.

Subsequently, in S22, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the point set as the destination is a service area or a parking area based on the information acquired in S21.

Then, when it is determined that the point set as the destination is the service area or the parking area (S22: YES), the process proceeds to S23. On the other hand, when it is determined that the point set as the destination is not the service area or the parking area (S22: NO), the process proceeds to S25.

In S23, the CPU 21 determines whether or not a smart interchange is installed for the service area or parking area set as the destination based on the information acquired in S21.

Then, when it is determined that a smart interchange is installed for the service area or parking area set as the destination (S23: YES), the process proceeds to S25. On the other hand, when it is determined that the smart interchange is not installed in the service area or the parking area (S23: NO), the process proceeds to S24.

In S24, the CPU 21 determines that the point set as the destination is a point that can be reached only by the toll road. Then, the toll road is associated with the relevant point as the destination road type. After that, it shifts to S13. As a result, when the destination is a point that can be reached only by the toll road, it is possible to provide appropriate route information on the premise that the destination can be reached only by the toll road.

On the other hand, in S25, the CPU 21 recognizes that the point set as the destination is a point that can be reached on both a general road and a toll road. Then, the general road and the toll road are linked to the relevant point as the destination road type. After that, it shifts to S13. As a result, if the destination is a point that can be reached by using either the general road or the toll road, the appropriate route information assuming that it can be reached by either the general road or the toll road. It becomes possible to provide.

Next, in S26, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the point set as the destination is a highway oasis connected to the service area or the parking area based on the information acquired in S21.

Then, when it is determined that the point set as the destination is a highway oasis (S26: YES), the process proceeds to S25. Then, the general road and the toll road are linked to the relevant point as the destination road type. On the other hand, when it is determined that the point set as the destination is not a highway oasis (S26: NO), the process proceeds to S27.

In S27, the CPU 21 determines that the point set as the destination is a point that can be reached only by a general road. Then, a general road is associated with the relevant point as a destination road type. After that, it shifts to S13. As a result, when the destination is a point that can be reached only by the general road, it is possible to provide appropriate route information on the premise that the destination can be reached only by the general road.

Next, a sub-process of the destination road type selection process executed in S14 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a sub-processing program for destination road type selection processing.

First, in S31, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the road type to be used when arriving at the destination is specified in advance by the user based on the route search request received in S11. Here, when the user performs a destination input operation on the information terminal 5, when a specific facility such as a highway oasis is input as the destination, the road type used when reaching the destination as a search condition. Can be additionally specified by the user. Then, when the road type is specified, the specified road type is transmitted to the server device 1 together with the route search request. In this embodiment, one of two types of roads, "general road" and "toll road", can be specified.

Then, when the user specifies the road type to be used when reaching the destination as the search condition (S31: YES), the process proceeds to S32. On the other hand, when the user does not specify the road type to be used when reaching the destination as a search condition (S31: NO), the process proceeds to S33.

In S32, the point set as the destination is a point that can be reached by either a general road or a toll road, but since the road type to be used is specified in advance by the user, the road is respected by the user's intention. Select the road type specified by the user as the type. After that, the process shifts to S15, and a route reaching the destination from the road of the road type designated by the user as the center route is searched for.

On the other hand, in S33, the CPU 21 acquires "the road type of the road where the user is currently located (that is, the road of the departure place)" as the current situation of the user based on the route search request received in S11. Specifically, it is acquired based on the position coordinates of the user's current position (departure place) and the map information DB 12 received together with the route search request. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the user is located in one of two types of roads, "general road" and "toll road". When the current position of the user and the departure point of the route search request are different, it is desirable to use the road type of the road on which the departure point is located.

Subsequently, in S34, the CPU 21 determines whether the road type of the road on which the user is currently located is either a toll road or a general road.

Then, when it is determined that the road type of the road where the user is currently located is a toll road (S34: YES), the process proceeds to S35. On the other hand, when it is determined that the road type of the road where the user is currently located is a general road (S34: NO), the process proceeds to S36.

In S35, as a result of considering the current situation of the user, the user is currently traveling on the toll road, and it is more appropriate to reach the destination from the toll road than to get off the general road in front of the destination. Presumed to be. Therefore, it is recognized that the appropriate road type to be used when reaching the destination is "toll road", and "toll road" is selected as the road type. After that, the process shifts to S15, and a route from the toll road to the destination is searched as the center route.

On the other hand, in S36, the CPU 21 acquires the "distance from the user's current position (that is, the departure point) to the destination" as the current situation of the user based on the route search request received in S11. The distance to be acquired may be a straight line distance or a road distance. If the current position of the user and the departure point of the route search request are different, it is desirable to set the distance from the departure point to the destination.

Next, in S37, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the distance from the user's current position to the destination is equal to or greater than a threshold value (for example, 30 km).

Then, when it is determined that the distance from the user's current position to the destination is equal to or greater than the threshold value (S37: YES), the process proceeds to S35. In S35, as a result of considering the current situation of the user, the CPU 21 is far from the destination, so it is realistic to travel on the toll road and move to the destination in the future. In that case, the destination It is estimated that it is more appropriate to reach the destination from the toll road than to get off the general road in front of you. Therefore, it is recognized that the appropriate road type to be used when reaching the destination is "toll road", and "toll road" is selected as the road type. After that, the process shifts to S15, and a route from the toll road to the destination is searched as the center route.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the distance from the user's current position to the destination is less than the threshold value (S37: NO), the process proceeds to S38. In S38, as a result of considering the current situation of the user, the CPU 21 has a short distance to the destination, so that it is realistic to continue to move to the destination on the general road in the future, and reach the destination from the general road. I presume that it is more appropriate to do so. Therefore, the appropriate road type to be used when reaching the destination is recognized as "general road", and "general road" is selected as the road type. After that, it shifts to S15, and a route from a general road to a destination is searched as a center route.

Subsequently, the point information guidance processing program executed by the server device 1 and the information terminal 5 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the point information guidance processing program according to the present embodiment. Here, the point information guidance processing program is a program that is executed after the navigation application is started on the information terminal 5 and provides information on the destination set in the information terminal 5 according to the operation of the user. However, when the information terminal 5 is a navigation device for an in-vehicle device, the information terminal 5 is executed after the ACC power supply (accessory power supply) of the vehicle is turned on. Further, in the present embodiment, an example of providing information on a parking lot to be parked when the destination is reached will be described as information on the destination.

First, a point information guidance processing program executed by the information terminal 5 will be described.
In S41, the CPU 31 determines whether or not an operation requesting information regarding the destination has been performed. The user can perform an operation for requesting information on the destination at the timing when the information on the center route is provided in S4, or can be performed after starting the movement toward the destination. is there.

Then, when it is determined that the operation for requesting the information regarding the destination has been performed (S41: YES), the process proceeds to S42. On the other hand, when it is determined that the operation for requesting the information about the destination has not been performed (S41: NO), the point information guidance processing program is terminated.

In S42, the CPU 31 transmits a destination information request for requesting information about the destination to the server device 1. The destination information request includes a terminal ID that identifies the information terminal 5 that is the source of the destination information request, and information that identifies the destination that is currently set in the information terminal 5.

After that, in S43, the CPU 31 receives the "guidance information" transmitted from the server device 1 in response to the destination information request. Here, the "guidance information" received in S43 is information about a destination extracted from the map information possessed by the server device 1 based on the destination information request transmitted in S42, or acquired from an external server. In particular, in the present embodiment, as information on the destination, information on the parking lot to be parked when the destination is reached is provided.

Further, the content of the guidance information changes depending on the destination road type associated with the point set as the destination in S12 at the time of route search. Specifically, for facilities that can be reached using either general roads such as highway oasis or toll roads, parking lots are generally "parking lots that are subject to parking when they are reached using general roads." It is divided into "(hereinafter referred to as a general parking lot)" and "a parking lot that is subject to parking when it is reached using a toll road (hereinafter referred to as a high-speed parking lot)". Since the number of parking spaces and the congestion status are different between the general parking lot and the high-speed parking lot, when providing information on the destination parking lot, the user should provide information on the parking lot of the person to be parked. It needs to be properly selected and provided.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the general road and the toll road are linked as the destination road type to the point set as the destination in S12, the general road or the toll road is selected in S14. Information on parking lots to be parked when arriving from roads of different road types is provided as guidance information. That is, when a general road is selected, information on a general parking lot is provided as guidance information. If a toll road is selected, information about the expressway parking lot is provided as guidance information. However, the information on the general parking lot and the information on the high-speed parking lot may be provided as guidance information without selecting the road type in S14.

Subsequently, in S44, the CPU 31 displays the guidance information received in S43 on the display 38. Here, FIGS. 10 and 11 are views showing an example of a point information guidance screen 61 in which guidance information is displayed on the display 38. In particular, FIG. 10 shows an example in which a general road and a toll road are linked as a destination road type at a point set as a destination, and a general road is selected in S14. FIG. Then, the above S
An example of the case where the toll road is selected in No. 4 is shown.

As shown in FIG. 10, on the point information guidance screen 61, the guidance route 62 set in the information terminal 5 is displayed overlapping on the map image 63. In addition, the information window 64 showing information about the destination is also displayed on the point information guidance screen 61, and in the information window 64, for example, as information about the parking lot of the destination, the number of cars that can be parked, the current availability, and the like are displayed. Is displayed. Here, the information about the parking lot displayed is the information about the parking lot corresponding to the road type selected in S14 as described above, that is, the user travels along the current guidance route and reaches the destination. In some cases, it will be information about the parking lot to be parked.

Next, the point information guidance processing program executed in the server device 1 will be described.
First, in S51, the CPU 21 receives the destination information request transmitted from the information terminal 5. The destination information request includes a terminal ID that identifies the information terminal 5 that is the source of the destination information request, and information that identifies the destination that is currently set in the information terminal 5.

After that, in S52, the CPU 21 generates guidance information to be provided to the information terminal 5 in response to the destination information request. The guidance information generated in the present embodiment is information on the parking lot to be parked when the destination is reached, among the information on the destination. For example, the number of cars that can be parked and the current availability of the parking lot are extracted from the map information DB 12 or acquired from an external server to generate guidance information.

Further, the content of the generated guidance information changes depending on the destination road type associated with the point set as the destination in S12 at the time of route search. Specifically, when a general road and a toll road are linked as a destination road type at a point set as a destination, the road type selected in S14 among the general road or the toll road When arriving from the road, information about the parking lot to be parked is generated as guidance information.

Next, in S53, the CPU 21 transmits the "guidance information" generated in S52 to the information terminal 5 that is the source of the destination information request. Then, the information terminal 5 to which the "guidance information" is distributed guides the distributed guidance information to the user via the display 38 or the like as described above (S44).

As described in detail above, in the server device 1 and the computer program executed in the server device 1 according to the present embodiment, when reaching a point that can be set as a destination included in the map information. (S12) On the other hand, for points that can be reached by using either general roads or toll roads, the general roads and toll roads are linked. Since the information about the point is provided to the user by linking as the destination road type and using the linked destination road type (S15, S16, S52, S53), the device side is based on the destination road type. In, it becomes possible to identify reachable points on both general roads and toll roads, and it becomes possible to provide more appropriate information. In addition, appropriate information should be provided using the destination road type associated with the point even if the user has no knowledge of the point, without imposing an operational burden on the user's selection of the road type. Is possible.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.
For example, in the present embodiment, it is used when reaching the destination using the "road type of the road on which the user is currently located" and the "distance from the user's current position to the destination" as the current status of the user in S14. Although the appropriate road type is selected, other information may be used to select the road type. For example, the road type may be selected using the user's driving history (whether he / she prefers driving on a general road or driving on a toll road), the SOC value of the vehicle, and the like.

Further, in the present embodiment, the destination road type to be linked to the point that can be set as the destination is either "general road" or "toll road", but other road types may be linked. .. For example, expressways, motorways, national expressways, urban expressways, general toll roads, toll bridges, toll ferry facilities, narrow streets, etc. may be linked. In addition, toll roads include national expressways, urban expressways, general toll roads, toll bridges, and toll ferry facilities, but only some of them may be linked as destination road types.

Further, in the present embodiment, the destination road type is associated with the point set as the destination when the destination is set, but it is included in the map information in advance regardless of whether or not the destination is set. The destination road type may be associated with a point that can be set as the destination. Then, the point information is stored in the map information DB 12 in a state where the destination road type is linked, and the point information set as the destination at the time when the destination is set (the linked destination road type). May be read.

Further, in the present embodiment, the server device 1 executes the route search processing (S12 to S15) and the guidance information generation processing (S52), but the information terminal 5 executes a part or all of the processing. It may be configured. That is, the information providing device according to the present invention may be the server device 1 or the information terminal 5.

Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which the information terminal 5 is applied to a smartphone has been described, but if it has a function of guiding the user to information on the searched route or point, it can be used as another type of information terminal. It can also be applied to. For example, it can be applied to mobile phones, tablet terminals, personal computers, navigation devices that are in-vehicle devices, and the like.

Further, although the embodiment in which the information providing device according to the present invention is embodied has been described above, the information providing device can also have the following configuration, and in that case, the following effects are obtained.

For example, the first configuration is as follows.
Road type setting means (21) for associating a destination road type indicating a road type of a road that can be used when reaching the point with respect to a point that can be set as a destination included in the map information, and the above-mentioned The road type setting means includes an information providing means (21) that provides information about the point to the user (4) by using the destination road type linked by the road type setting means. For points that can be reached by using either a general road or a toll road, the general road and the toll road are linked as the destination road type.
According to the information providing device having the above configuration, the destination road type indicating that the point that can be reached by using either the general road or the toll road can be reached by either the general road or the toll road is linked. Therefore, it is possible to specify a point that can be reached by either a general road or a toll road on the device side based on the destination road type, and it is possible to provide more appropriate information. In addition, appropriate information should be provided using the destination road type associated with the point even if the user has no knowledge of the point, without imposing an operational burden on the user's selection of the road type. Is possible.

The second configuration is as follows.
By the point selection means (21) for selecting a point to be provided with information by the information providing means (21), the user status obtaining means (21) for acquiring the current status of the user (4), and the point selecting means. When the selected point is a point where the general road and the toll road are linked as the destination road type, one of the general road and the toll road is selected based on the current situation of the user. The information providing means provides information on a point selected by the point selection means by using the road type selected by the road type selecting means.
According to the information providing device having the above configuration, a point that can be reached by using either a general road or a toll road is more appropriate than being used to reach the point in consideration of the current situation of the user. Since information is provided by selecting a different road type and using the selected road type, it is possible to provide information according to the current situation of the user.

The third configuration is as follows.
The user status obtaining means (21) acquires the road type of the road on which the user is currently located or the distance from the user's current position to the point selected by the point selection means as the current status of the user (4). ..
According to the information providing device having the above configuration, for a point that can be reached by using either a general road or a toll road, the road type of the road on which the user is currently located, or from the user's current position to the point. By considering the distance, it is possible to select a more suitable road type to be used to reach the point.

The fourth configuration is as follows.
The road type selection means (21) selects a road type of the same type as the road type of the road on which the user (4) is currently located.
According to the information providing device having the above configuration, it is estimated that a point that can be reached by using either a general road or a toll road will continue to move to the point according to the road type of the road on which the user is currently located. , It is possible to provide appropriate information on the premise of reaching the point using the estimated road type.

The fifth configuration is as follows.
The road type selection means (21) selects a toll road if the distance from the current position of the user (4) to the point selected by the point selection means (21) is equal to or greater than a threshold value, and from the user's current position. If the distance to the point selected by the point selection means is less than the threshold value, a general road is selected.
According to the information providing device having the above configuration, for a point that can be reached by using either a general road or a toll road, if the distance from the user's current position to the point is long, a fee is charged to the point. It is possible to provide appropriate information on the premise that the road type used to reach the point is a toll road, presumed to move on a road. On the other hand, if the distance from the user's current position to the point is short, it is estimated that the user will move to the point by a general road, and it is assumed that the road type used to reach the point is a general road. It is possible to provide appropriate information.

The sixth configuration is as follows.
The point selection means (21) for selecting a point to be provided with information by the information providing means (21) and the point selected by the point selecting means are associated with a general road and a toll road as the destination road type. The information is provided by having a road type selection means (21) for selecting one of a general road and a toll road based on the operation of the user (4) when the point is located. The means (21) provides information on a point selected by the point selection means by using the road type selected by the road type selection means.
According to the information providing device having the above configuration, at a point that can be reached by using either a general road or a toll road, if there is a user's wish, the user's wish is respected and the point is reached. Since the road type to be used is selected and the information is provided using the selected road type, it is possible to provide the information according to the intention of the user.

The seventh configuration is as follows.
The information providing means (21) provides information on a route to reach a point selected by the point selecting means using a road of the road type selected by the road type selecting means (21).
According to the information providing device having the above configuration, a point that can be reached by using either a general road or a toll road is more appropriate than being used to reach the point in consideration of the current situation of the user. Since information on the route to reach the point is provided according to the selected road type, it is possible to provide information according to the current situation of the user.

The eighth configuration is as follows.
The information providing means (21) relates to a parking lot to be parked when the road of the road type selected by the road type selecting means (21) is used to reach a point selected by the point selecting means. Provide information.
According to the information providing device having the above configuration, a point that can be reached by using either a general road or a toll road is more appropriate than being used to reach the point in consideration of the current situation of the user. It is possible to provide information according to the current situation of the user because information on the parking lot to be parked is provided when the selected road type is selected and the parking lot to be parked is provided according to the selected road type.

The ninth configuration is as follows.
The road type setting means (21) links a general road and a toll road as the destination road type when the point is a service area or parking area provided with a smart interchange, or a highway oasis.
According to the information providing device having the above configuration, general roads and toll roads can be reached at points that can be reached by using either a service area or parking area equipped with a smart interchange, or a general road such as a highway oasis or a toll road. Since the destination road type indicating that either of the above is reachable is linked, the device side can specify the reachable point on either the general road or the toll road based on the destination road type, and more appropriate information. It becomes possible to provide.

1 Server device 2 Information provision system 3 Information distribution center 4 User 5 Information terminal 6 Communication network network 12 Map information DB
21 CPU
22 RAM
23 ROM
24 Flash memory 51 Route guidance screen 61 Point information guidance screen

Claims (10)

A road type setting means for associating a destination road type indicating a road type of a road that can be used when reaching the point with a point that can be set as a destination included in the map information.
It has an information providing means for providing information about the point to the user by using the destination road type linked by the road type setting means.
The road type setting means is an information providing device that links a general road and a toll road as a destination road type to a point that can be reached by using either a general road or a toll road. A point selection means for selecting a point to be provided with information by the information providing means, and a point selection means.
User status acquisition means to acquire the current status of the user,
When the point selected by the point selection means is a point where the general road and the toll road are linked as the destination road type, either the general road or the toll road is based on the current situation of the user. Has a road type selection means for selecting the road type of
The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the information providing means provides information about a point selected by the point selecting means using the road type selected by the road type selecting means. The user-status-obtaining means according to claim 2, wherein the user status-obtaining means acquires the road type of the road on which the user is currently located or the distance from the user's current position to the point selected by the point selection means as the current status of the user. Information providing device. The information providing device according to claim 3, wherein the road type selection means selects a road type of the same type as the road type of the road on which the user is currently located. The road type selection means is
If the distance from the user's current position to the point selected by the point selection means is equal to or greater than the threshold value, a toll road is selected.
The information providing device according to claim 3, wherein if the distance from the user's current position to the point selected by the point selection means is less than the threshold value, a general road is selected. A point selection means for selecting a point to be provided with information by the information providing means, and a point selection means.
When the point selected by the point selection means is a point where the general road and the toll road are linked as the destination road type, either the general road or the toll road is based on the operation of the user. Has a road type selection means for selecting a road type,
The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the information providing means provides information about a point selected by the point selecting means using the road type selected by the road type selecting means. Any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the information providing means provides information on a route to reach a point selected by the point selecting means using a road of the road type selected by the road type selecting means. Information providing device described in the car. The claim that the information providing means provides information about a parking lot to be parked when the road of the road type selected by the road type selecting means is used and the point selected by the point selecting means is reached. The information providing device according to any one of 2 to 6. The road type setting means according to claim 1 to 8, wherein when the point is a service area or parking area provided with a smart interchange, or a highway oasis, a general road and a toll road are linked as the destination road type. The information providing device described in any of them. Computer,
A road type setting means for associating a destination road type indicating a road type of a road that can be used when reaching the point with a point that can be set as a destination included in the map information.
It is a computer program for functioning as an information providing means for providing information about the point to a user by using the destination road type linked by the road type setting means.
The road type setting means is a computer program that links a general road and a toll road as the destination road type to a point that can be reached by using either a general road or a toll road.

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