JP2002277252A - Estimated required time presenting system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To present more accurate estimated required times by referencing data of previously accumulated required times for a plurality of users every route, together with stored conditions of utilized the route. SOLUTION: The system is composed of a server connectable to a network and mobile units connectable to the server over the network. The server comprises a CPU and a memory. The memory contains a route database having stored map data for retrieving routes on roads between optionally designated two points, and a utilization history storing database having stored required times for utilizing routes over roads and situations at the time of utilizing the routes. The CPU receives data about two points designated by a mobile unit over the network, references the route database to retrieve a route on roads between the two points, references the utilization history storing database to calculate an estimated required time in a similar situation to the present situation, and transmits it to the mobile unit.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an estimated time required presentation system applied to an information providing service using a network such as the Internet, and more particularly, to providing route information obtained by, for example, a car navigation system. The present invention relates to a system for presenting estimated required time.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a system similar to this type of system, a car navigation system is known. This car navigation system uses map information as a CD-R
OM etc. to own the vehicle, GPS position of the vehicle
(Global Positioning System) to obtain route information to the destination by measuring with a positioning device. In addition, there is a method in which map information is obtained from the Internet using an in-vehicle phone without having to own the vehicle.

[0003] With the miniaturization of such devices, there is also a system in which a small car navigation system is used as a personally portable mobile (mobile) communication device and can be used for pedestrian guidance. is there.

[0004] As a system related to such a system, a network such as the Internet is used to search for a route from one point on a map to another point, and to provide an information providing service that presents the result. Systems are known. In this system, for a required time such as a walking section or a moving section by car, a predicted time obtained from the distance is simply displayed.

Further, as an improved system for simply displaying the estimated time obtained from such a distance, an on-vehicle information device (car navigation device) described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-153446 is known. In this device, the required time to a specified destination is accurately predicted according to the driving history of the driver.

[0006]

However, when traveling by car, for example, the required time greatly changes depending on the road conditions. For this reason, in the case of a system that simply displays the predicted time obtained from the distance as described above, the predicted required time presented is inaccurate.

[0007] Further, in the case of a system for estimating the required time in consideration of the driving history of the same user, there is a problem that it is difficult to accurately predict the required time for the route that the user passes for the first time.

The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and accumulates the required time of a plurality of users for each route, as well as the situation (date, day of week, time, weather, etc.) when using the route. , Accidents, etc.) are also stored at the same time, and by referring to this data, it is possible to provide a predicted required time presentation system capable of presenting a more accurate predicted required time.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a server device connectable to a network and a user terminal connectable to the server device via the network, wherein the server device is connected between two arbitrarily designated points. A storage means including a route database storing map data for searching for a route on a road, a use history storage database storing a required use time and a situation at the time of using the route on the road, and a network. Data of two points designated from the user terminal via the terminal, and by referring to the route database, searching for a route on the road between the two points,
A predicted required time presentation system comprising: a control unit that calculates an expected required time in a situation similar to a current situation with reference to a use history accumulation database and transmits the calculated required time to a user terminal.

According to the present invention, when two points are designated from the user terminal, a route on the road between the two points is searched, and an estimated required time in a situation similar to the current situation is calculated. Since it is transmitted to the user terminal, it is possible to present a more accurate estimated required time.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the present invention, a network such as the Internet or a medium-sized or small-sized LAN spread over a region can be applied as a network.

As a user terminal, an electronic device having a car navigation function having a GPS and a telephone function can be applied. Specifically, there are a device in which a mobile phone is added to a car navigation system, a device in which a car navigation function is added to a mobile (mobile) communication device, a device in which a car navigation function is added to a mobile phone, and the like.

As the server device, a medium-sized or large-scale computer system capable of simultaneously processing requests for providing information from many users can be applied. As the route database included in the server device,
Any device capable of searching for a route on a road between two arbitrarily designated points may be used, and a device storing map data used in a car navigation system is applicable. It is desirable that this map data be configured to be updated as appropriate.

As for the map data, a system may be used in which a route is searched by using map data held on the user terminal side without using data stored in the route database. Further, the system may be such that map data is obtained from another server device through a network.

The use history storage database included in the server device may be any database that can receive and store the required use time and the situation at the time of using a route on a road from a large number of user terminals. Good. The usage history includes the time required for the route used by the user and the situation at that time, for example, time, location, weather, or special conditions such as date, day of the week, time, weather, presence or absence of an accident It may include a situation or the like as appropriate.

The control means includes CPU, ROM, RA
A processor consisting of M and I / O ports can be applied.

The estimated required time presentation system according to the present invention is realized by a program for causing a predicted required time presentation process to function. The subject of the invention may be the program itself or a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded.

First, in the present invention, as this recording medium,
A memory (not shown) necessary for the CPU 2 shown in FIG. 1 to perform the processing, for example, a ROM itself may be a program medium, or a program as an external storage device (not shown). It may be a program medium provided with a reading device and readable by inserting a recording medium therein. In any case, the stored program is CPU
2 may be accessed and executed, or in any case, the program is read, and the read program is loaded into a program recording area (not shown) of the CPU 2 and the program is executed. May be used. It is assumed that the loading program is stored in the main unit in advance.

Here, the program medium is a recording medium configured to be separable from the main body, such as a tape system such as a magnetic tape or a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk or a hard disk, or a CD-RO.
Disk system of optical disks such as M / MO / MD / DVD,
Card system such as IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or mask ROM, EPROM, EEPROM
The medium may be a medium that fixedly carries a program including a semiconductor memory such as an M or a flash ROM.

Further, since the present invention has a system configuration connectable to a communication network including the Internet, the medium may carry a program in a fluid manner so as to download the program from the communication network. When the program is downloaded from the communication network as described above, the download program may be stored in the apparatus main body in advance, or may be installed from another recording medium. Note that the content stored in the recording medium is not limited to a program, but may be data.

Next, in the present invention, the program itself may be the processing itself executed by the CPU 2 shown in FIG. 1, or may be obtained by accessing a communication network including the Internet, or Or may be sent from here. Furthermore, it may be a result of processing in the above-mentioned estimated required time presentation system, that is, a program generated based on the fetched program. Alternatively, it may be a result of processing in the estimated required time presentation system when sending out from here, that is, a generated one. Note that these are not limited to programs and may be data.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server device forming a part of the estimated required time presentation system of the present invention. In this figure, 1 is a storage device, 2 is a CPU, 3 is a memory, and 4 is a network interface device.
Although not shown, the server device includes an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and an output device such as a CRT display device and a printer.

The storage device 1 is a large-capacity hard disk device capable of storing the time required for each route of a large number of users and the situation when the route is used, and is generally called an external storage device. The memory 3 is an internal memory composed of a RAM. The CPU 2 is a central processing unit of the server device, and performs various processes to be described later by a program read into the memory 3. The network interface device 4 is a device for transmitting and receiving data to and from a network.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a user terminal forming part of the estimated required time presentation system of the present invention. This figure shows a state in which a server device and a user terminal can be connected via a network. In this figure, 5 is the server device described above, 6 is a network, 7, 8
Is a user terminal. Although not shown, the user terminal also includes an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and an output device such as a CRT display device and a printer.

The server device 5 has the configuration shown in FIG. Network 6 includes the Internet,
Medium-sized or small-scale LANs set up locally
It is a network like. The user terminal 8 includes a storage device 9, a CPU 10, a memory 11, a GPS (Global Posit
ioning system) 12 and a network interface device 13.

The storage device 9 includes a floppy disk device, a hard disk device, a CD-ROM device, a CD-R
This is generally called an external storage device such as a / RW device, a DVD-ROM device, and a DVD-RAM device.
The memory 11 is an internal memory composed of a RAM. CPU
Reference numeral 10 denotes a central processing unit, which performs various types of processing described below according to a program read into the memory 11.
The GPS 12 is a positioning device using a satellite. The network interface device 13 is a device for transmitting and receiving data to and from the network 6.

The server device 5 in such an estimated required time presentation system will be described. The storage device 1 of the server device 5 stores a route database and a usage history accumulation database. The route database stores graphic data such as road maps for cars and pedestrians, and map data consisting of distance data from the reference point to the reference point on the map required to calculate the required time. It is a database for searching a route on a road between two points designated on the map based on the map data, and obtaining a distance between reference points on the route.

The usage history accumulation database is a database in which the required times of a plurality of users are accumulated for each road route. In terms of contents, it stores the user's required time from the reference point set on the route database to the reference point, and together with the required time, the date, day of the week, time, weather, accident when using the route Date status, such as the presence or absence of
It also stores weather conditions, road conditions, and special conditions.

In the CPU 2 of the server device 5, after the server device 5 is connected to the user terminal 8 by a line, the user terminal 8
When two points are designated from, the route between the two specified points is searched from the route database in the storage device 1. Then, a reference point included in the searched route is searched, the searched route is divided by the reference point, and required time data between the reference points is searched from the use history database. Also,
At this time, the data of the usage history accumulation database in the storage device 1 is weighted based on the temporal situation, weather, or the situation near the route, which is input from the user terminal 8 or acquired from the network 6. Memory 3 of server device 5
Stores the progress of calculation in the processing of the CPU 2.

The network interface device 4 of the server device 5 is connected to user terminals 7 and 8 through a network 6.
It is used to receive data input from a user terminal, and to transmit route search results and estimated required time to the user terminals 7 and 8. It is also used to automatically obtain the weather and the situation near the route from the network 6.

Next, the user terminal 8 will be described.
The CPU 10 of the user terminal 8 executes the GPS 12
Is used to determine the location where the user terminal 8 is located. Then, when this place has reached the reference point for calculating the required time, the travel time from the reference point passed immediately before that is calculated. The memory 11 of the user terminal 8 has C
The processing of the PU 10 stores the progress of the calculation and the like.

The storage device 9 of the user terminal 8 holds reference point data for calculating the required time. User terminal 8
The network interface device 13 transmits a route search request to the server device 5 via the network and receives the result.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the storage contents of the route database stored in the storage device of the server device, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the storage contents of the usage history accumulation database.
The required time reference point is a position serving as a reference for the required time, such as an intersection, a fixed interval point on a road, a station or a building. In the route database shown in FIG.
Points such as n2... are required time reference points.

The use history accumulation database uses the movement between adjacent required time reference points as a key, the date and time when the movement was performed, the required time at that time, the weather and surrounding conditions (accidents, events, etc.). Record that contains such fields. The figure is an example, and may include other appropriate items.

For the required time between the reference points, a default required time value is input at the very beginning of data storage. This may be calculated automatically from the distance data in the route database at the very beginning of data storage, and may be automatically input. Further, the standard required time may be sequentially calculated from the distance data of the route database each time a route is designated.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an input screen on the user terminal 8 side. This figure shows an example of an input screen of user characteristics and road conditions on a user terminal when the predicted required time presentation system of the present invention is applied to an information providing service and used as the predicted required time presentation service.

As shown in this figure, after connecting the user terminal 8 to the server device 5 via the network 6, the user inputs a departure point, destination, use date and time, and weather. When a search button is pressed after the input, a search request is transmitted to the server device 5. The current date and time from the date counter on the user terminal 8 side are automatically entered in the use date and time column.
In the column of the starting point, the current position measured using the GPS 12 is automatically input. In this case, if there is a service that can obtain the current weather at an arbitrary location on the network 6, the weather column may be automatically input.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of route search.
This figure shows a state in which the movement between two designated points is divided into the movement between a plurality of required time reference points in the route search. In the example of this figure, when going from the reference point n1 to the reference point n17, the reference point n2, the reference point n10,
A route passing through the reference point n11 and the reference point n16 is shown.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a presentation example of the estimated required time. This figure is an example in which the prediction result of the required time from the reference point n1 to the reference point n17 is displayed. As shown in this drawing, in the presentation of the estimated required time, the required time between the required time reference points on the route is displayed. Specifically, the standard required time, the longest required time, and the shortest required time between the reference points from the starting point to the destination are displayed, and the reference point n
The total required time from 1 to the reference point n17, the total maximum required time, and the total minimum required time are displayed.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the contents of the required time calculating process. This flowchart shows a flowchart for calculating the required time by extracting similar conditions from the usage history accumulation database in the estimated required time presentation system of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6, the route for estimating the required time is divided into routes connecting the required time reference points.
Therefore, the presence / absence of stored data is checked between the respective reference points, and the weight of the stored data to be calculated is determined according to the date and time, special day conditions, other situations, the day of the week, the weather, and the like. Finally, an average value is calculated while weighting all the accumulated data between the reference points.

As a specific process, first, it is determined whether there is data between the same reference points (step S1).
If there is data, it is checked whether or not the data is near the date and time when the prediction is performed (step S2). If the data is near the date and time when the prediction is performed, the approximate date and time is weighted (step S3).

It is checked whether or not the data is on a special day that is the same as the date and time when the prediction is performed (step S4). If the data is on the special day that is the same as the date and time when the prediction is performed, the same special day is weighted (step S4). Step S5).

It is checked whether the data is in the same situation as the situation to be predicted (step S6). If the data is in the same situation as the situation to be predicted, weighting of the situation approximation is performed. (Step S7).

It is checked whether the data is on the same month or the same day as the date and time when the prediction is made, or on the same day of the week (step S8). If so, the same month / day / day of the week is weighted (step S9).

Then, the sum is added for calculating the average required time (step S10). Returning to step S1, if there is no more data between the same reference points, the added value is divided by the number of added data to obtain the estimated required time. Calculate (Step S1
1).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for inputting the reason when the required time is far from the average value. This input is a process for prompting the user of the user terminal 8 to input from the server device 5.

If the actual travel time is far from the average travel time, a break, road construction,
Assuming that there is some reason such as an accident, the server apparatus 5 prompts the user of the user terminal 8 to input the reason why the actual required time is far from the average required time.

The difference from the average value calculated at this time is obtained not by a simple time difference but by a ratio of the difference to the average required time. For example, if the actual required time is 50 minutes with respect to the average required time of 30 minutes, this difference is calculated as a ratio such as (50-30) / 30, and this value is a certain value (this is (The server operator should decide in advance.)
If it is larger, ask them to enter a reason.

As a specific process, first, when the actual required time is automatically sent from the user terminal 8 to the server device 5 (step S21), the server device 5
It is checked whether or not the actual required time is far from the average time (step S22). If the actual required time is far from the average time, the user terminal 8 is prompted to input the reason why the actual time is far from the average time. (Step S23), the reason input from the user terminal 8 that is far from the average time is transmitted to the server device 5 (step S24). 5 is recorded in the usage history accumulation database (step S25).

In step S22, if the actual required time is not far from the average time, the process proceeds to step S25, where only the required time is recorded in the usage history accumulation database of the server device 5.

Next, the overall operation of the present estimated required time presentation system will be described. In the following, an example will be described in which this system is applied to an information providing service and receives an information providing service of a predicted required time via the Internet when traveling by car. Accordingly, hereinafter, the network 6 shown in FIG.

First, a user who receives the information provision service of the estimated required time is sent from the user terminal 8 to the Internet 6.
Request to the server device 5 to receive the information provision service of the estimated required time. At this time, the user
Use a vehicle-mounted telephone with a PS, a personally owned mobile terminal, a mobile phone, or the like.

The server device 5 transmits data to the user terminal 8 so as to display an input screen as shown in FIG. 5 in order to allow the user to input information necessary for searching for a route used for calculating the estimated required time. Send.

The user inputs necessary information according to the input screen. The entered data is sent to the Internet 6
Is transmitted to the server device 5 through For input of the current position, a positioning device (GPS) provided in the user terminal 8 is used.
Etc.) automatically. Further, the use date and time and the weather are automatically input after the status is automatically acquired via the Internet 6 on the server device 5 side.

Here, the description will be made assuming that the reference point n1 in FIG. 3 is designated as the starting point and the reference point n17 is designated as the destination. In the server device 5, the input route between the two points is
As shown in FIG. 6, the data is divided into paths connecting a plurality of reference points. Next, movement between these reference points (initially n1 to n2
Regarding (h), it is checked whether or not a usage result record exists in the usage history accumulation database. If there is, the average required time is calculated from these.

This is set between the reference points (hereinafter, n2 to n).
10, n11, n16, and n17). If the usage result record does not exist, the default required time value input in advance is used as the predicted time.

In addition, according to the conditions input at this time and other means such as time information obtained on the user terminal 8 side, road conditions in public or private road traffic information obtained through the Internet 6, and the like. Then, the data of the usage history accumulation database is weighted by the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. Furthermore, the past longest and shortest required time calculated using the longest and shortest time in the usage history accumulation database are also calculated as reference values.

Here, for the sake of explanation, the estimated required time is calculated for only one route. However, depending on the contents of the information providing service, the estimated required time may be calculated and presented for a plurality of routes. Alternatively, the estimated required time may be calculated for a plurality of routes, and only the route with the shortest result may be presented.

When the route and the estimated required time are obtained, the data is transmitted from the server device 5 to the user terminal 8. At this time, identification data to be used later when obtaining usage results,
The current time used for automatic measurement of the required time and the position information of the required time reference point on the route are also transmitted.

The user terminal 8 displays the route search results sent from the server device 5, their estimated required times, the longest and shortest required times in the past, and stores identification data and information on the required time reference point position. Keep it.

Thereafter, the user terminal 8 measures the current position at regular intervals, and if the current time has reached the required time reference point, the user terminal 8 automatically informs the server device 5 of the time at which the current position has been reached.
The time taken from the required time reference point that passed immediately before, the identification data previously received, and the data indicating which required time reference point has been reached are transmitted. These data are registered in the use history accumulation database of the server device 5 as use result required time data.

Depending on the form of the information providing service, the information may be transmitted to the server 5 every time the user terminal 8 passes the required time reference point regardless of the route search.

The server device 5 that has received the result stores the received data in the usage history accumulation database as the usage result required time data between the required time reference points, and also stores the situation at this time.

At this time, the server device 5 checks by the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 whether the required time transmitted from the user terminal 8 is far from the average value in the use history accumulation database of the server. If the user is away, the user is required to input the reason.

The reason data transmitted from the user terminal 8 is stored in the usage history accumulation database together with the usage result required time data. As a result, the usage result required time data to which this reason is attached is preferentially used when similar special circumstances occur, or not used when similar special circumstances do not occur. By performing the processing, the required time is more accurately predicted.

As described above, the required time when using the route on the road and the situation at that time are accumulated, and the estimated required time is calculated with reference to the required time, whereby the user characteristic and the surrounding area are calculated. An accurate estimated required time can be presented even for a moving section where it is difficult to obtain an accurate estimated required time depending on the situation.

Further, regarding the required time under special circumstances, the user is required to input the reason, and the required time is stored together with the reason. Even in this case, the required time can be predicted relatively accurately. Further, since the user is required to input a reason only in a special case, the system can usually be easily used.

The time required to move between the reference points is automatically measured, and the time required for using the route on the road is calculated from this time. Sometimes the user does not need to give any special instructions,
The system can be automated.

Further, when calculating the estimated required time, the longest expected time and the shortest expected time stored in the use history accumulation database are calculated at the same time and transmitted to the user terminal. And make a travel plan.

The example described above is an example of an information providing service of the estimated required time by moving by car. However, the present invention can be applied to moving by foot or rail, or a combination thereof. .

[0073]

According to the present invention, it is possible to present an accurate predicted required time even in a moving section where it is difficult to obtain an accurate predicted required time due to user characteristics and surrounding conditions.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server device forming a part of an estimated required time presentation system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a user terminal forming a part of the estimated required time presentation system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing storage contents of a route database stored in a storage device of the server device.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing storage contents of a usage history accumulation database stored in a storage device of the server device.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an input screen on the user terminal side.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of searching for a route.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a presentation example of a predicted required time.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the contents of a required time calculation process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for inputting the reason when the required time is far from the average value.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 storage device 2 CPU 3 memory 4, 13 network interface device 5 server device 6 network 7, 8 user terminal 9 storage device 10 CPU 11 memory 12 GPS

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 17/60 150 G06F 17/60 150 G08G 1/137 G08G 1/137 F term (reference) 2F029 AA02 AB07 AB13 AC02 AC06 AC13 AC20 5B075 KK07 KK40 ND03 ND06 ND20 ND23 PQ02 PQ13 PR03 PR06 QM08 UU14 UU16 5H180 AA01 BB05 BB12 BB13 BB15 DD04 EE02 FF05 FF10 FF13 FF22 FF33

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A server device connectable to a network, and a user terminal connectable to the server device via the network, wherein the server device searches for a route on a road between two arbitrarily designated points. Storage means including a route database storing map data of the above, a use history storing database storing a time required for using a route on a road and a situation at that time, and a route designated by a user terminal via a network. Receiving the data of two points, searching the route on the road between the two points by referring to the route database, and referring to the use history accumulation database, calculating the estimated required time in a situation similar to the current situation. And a control means for calculating and transmitting the calculated time to the user terminal. 2. The control means stores data of two designated points from a user terminal via a network, and stores map data for searching for a route on a road between the two designated points. Means for searching for a route on a road between two designated points with reference to a route database, and a usage history in which a required time and a situation at the time of using the route on the road are received from a user terminal and stored. 2. The estimated required time presentation system according to claim 1, further comprising means for calculating an expected required time in a situation similar to the current situation with reference to the accumulation database and transmitting the calculated required time to the user terminal. 3. When the control means receives from a user terminal a required time when using a route on a road, the required time is compared with an average required time stored in a use history accumulation database. 3. The system according to claim 2, further comprising: means for prompting the user terminal to input the reason when the difference is equal to or more than the predetermined ratio; and means for receiving the reason input at the user terminal and storing the reason in the usage history accumulation database. Forecast time required presentation system. 4. A control means for detecting that a position of a user measured by a positioning device provided on a user terminal has passed a predetermined reference point on map data, and moving between the reference points. 3. The predicted required time presentation system according to claim 2, further comprising means for measuring a time required for the calculation, and calculating a required time when the route on the road is used based on the time. 5. When the control means calculates an expected required time and transmits the calculated required time to the user terminal, the control means also calculates the longest expected time and the shortest expected time stored in the usage history accumulation database at the same time and transmits the calculated time to the user terminal. 3. The system according to claim 2, further comprising: 6. A program applied to the estimated required time presentation system according to claim 1, further comprising: a step of receiving data of two designated points from a user terminal via a network; A procedure for searching for a route on a road between two designated points with reference to a route database storing map data for searching for a route on a road, and a time required for using the route on the road A procedure for calculating the expected required time in a situation similar to the current situation by referring to the usage history accumulation database that received and stored the situation at that time from the user terminal and transmitting it to the user terminal is executed by the computer. Predicted required time presentation program. 7. When a required time when using a route on a road is received from a user terminal, the required time is equal to or more than a predetermined ratio with respect to an average required time stored in a use history accumulation database. 7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising a step of prompting the user terminal to input the reason when the reason is different, and a step of receiving the reason input at the user terminal and storing the reason in the usage history accumulation database. program. 8. A procedure for detecting that a user's position measured by a positioning device provided in a user terminal has passed a predetermined reference point on map data, and a time required to move between the reference points. The estimated required time presentation program according to claim 6, further comprising a step of measuring the required time and calculating a required time when the route on the road is used from the time. 9. A procedure for calculating an estimated required time and transmitting it to the user terminal, wherein the longest expected time and the shortest expected time stored in the usage history accumulation database are also calculated and transmitted to the user terminal. 7. The estimated required time presentation program according to claim 6, further comprising: 10. A computer-readable recording medium recording the estimated required time presentation program according to claim 6.