JP2003035552A - Optimum route searching/guiding system and optimum route searching/guiding method employed therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optimum route searching/guiding system by which an optimum route of a public transportation or an optimum route up to a destination is informed in consideration of time, fee or the like, even in the place visited for the first time, and the time until reaching the destination can be spent effectively. SOLUTION: The optimum route searching/guiding system 2 is provided with a position information database 21 which stores information representing positional information of a portable terminal 4 of a user using the service, an arrival/departure time database of public transportation 22 which stores arrival and departure time of the public transportation, an arrival/departure place and fee database of public transportation 23 which stores information of arrival and departure places and fee of the public transportation, and at least, a regional information database 24 which stores map data for each region. An optimum route judging section 25 retrieves these databases according to a request from the portable terminal 4, selects an route to be optimum, judges the optimum route based on the time and the fee required to go to the destination, and distributes the retrieved data from a data distributing section 26 to the portable terminal 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optimum route search / guidance system and an optimum route search / guidance method used therefor, and more particularly to an optimum route search method for notifying a mobile terminal of an optimum route to a destination.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this kind of optimum route search method, an optimum route candidate is searched for according to a departure point (departure station) and a destination (arrival station) from a user using the Internet or the like. There is a system to display.

For example, as a timetable search system,
A system capable of performing an accurate search on the basis of actual transportation timetable data is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-205.
No. 90 publication.

As the above search system, there is a portable train time display device for instantly displaying train departure / arrival time information necessary for arriving at the final destination by the desired arrival time, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-139197. It is disclosed in the publication.

Further, as the above-mentioned search system, a search device which automatically searches and presents a recommended departure time together with the train time to be used by designating a desired arrival time at a destination (destination station) is special. It is disclosed in Kaihei 9-198530.

In addition to these systems, the above-mentioned search system searches for a list of candidates for the optimum route including the departure time and the arrival time and prompts the service user to specify the device immediately or at a later desired time. A system to notify is also proposed.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the above-described conventional optimum route search system, the operation time of public transportation is displayed, the shortest time route is searched, or the lowest fare route is searched. Even if you use, you only know the route from the departure station to the arrival station, its operating time, and the fare.

[0008] Therefore, in the first-time area, when using public transportation to reach a destination, it may be possible to reach the destination, but a wasteful route is followed, There is a waste of travel time, such as going in the opposite direction to the intended direction.

Further, when using public transportation, it is difficult to use transportation that does not cause waiting time. In addition, it is more difficult to use a transportation system without waiting time because it is difficult to determine how long it will take to arrive and depart in an area where there is not much sense of land. Therefore, waiting time is generated.

In this case, even if it is possible to reach a place near the departure and arrival location of the transportation facility, it is not known from which platform (which departure line etc.) to get to the target station, and the departure and arrival of the transportation facility should be made before the departure time. Even if it is near the place, it may take some time to find the platform and you may miss it.

Further, in terms of cost to the destination, when using public transportation in an area where there is not a lot of sense of land, it is possible to judge which transportation can reduce the cost. difficult.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to know the optimum route of public transportation including the time and fee and the optimum route to the destination even for the first time in the area. It is an object of the present invention to provide an optimum route search / guidance system and an optimum route search / guidance method used for the system, which can effectively utilize the time until the arrival at the airport.

[0013]

The optimum route search / guidance system according to the present invention is provided with position information of a mobile terminal, timetable data of public transportation, departure / arrival place / charge information of the public transportation, and area map data. A database for accumulating at least regional information including a search means for searching an optimum route from the database; and a distribution means for distributing the search result of the search means to the mobile terminal. The search results are displayed on the mobile terminal to guide the user to the destination.

The optimum route search / guidance method according to the present invention is
Searching for an optimum route from a database that stores at least location information of the mobile terminal, timetable data of public transportation, information of departure and arrival locations and charges of the public transportation, and area information including map data of the area, Distributing the search result to the mobile terminal, and displaying the distributed search result on the mobile terminal to guide the user to the destination.

That is, the optimum route search / guidance system of the present invention uses a mobile terminal to store its own position information, timetable data of public transportation facilities existing at the central office, information of departure and arrival locations, and charges. This is a system for searching and determining an optimal route from a database and a regional information database that stores regional information including at least regional map data, and displaying and guiding the route information on a mobile terminal.

Here, the optimum route is a route judged from the time and cost required to reach the destination. This makes it possible to use the most suitable public transportation system when moving to the destination, minimize the travel time and the cost required to reach the destination, and wait time when moving. By notifying and displaying the message on the mobile terminal, it is possible to effectively use the time until reaching the destination.

In addition, by notifying the portable terminal of the information of the place of arrival and departure of public transportation, and displaying which platform (from which departure line, etc.) to get to to reach the destination station However, it becomes possible to know the optimal route of public transportation including the time and price and the optimal route to the destination.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an optimum route search / guidance system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an optimal route search / guidance system according to an embodiment of the present invention accommodates a central office 1 that accommodates an optimal route search / guidance device 2, a mobile terminal 4 of a service user, and a mobile terminal 4 at this stage. And a base station 3 that operates.

The optimum route search / guidance device 2 includes a position information database 21 for accumulating information indicating the position information of the mobile terminal 4 of a service user, and a public transportation arrival / departure time database 22 for accumulating arrival / departure times of public transportation. , A public transportation departure / arrival place / fare database 23 for accumulating information about public transportation departure / arrival places and charges, and an area information database 24 for accumulating at least regional map data,
An optimal route determination unit 25 that searches these databases in response to a request from the mobile terminal 4 to determine an optimal route and determines the optimal route from the time and cost required to reach the destination.
It comprises a data distribution unit 26 that distributes the search data by the optimum route determination unit 25 to the mobile terminal 4 that is the transmission source.

2 and 3 are flowcharts showing the operation of the optimum route search / guidance device 2 of FIG. These Figure 1
The operation of the optimum route search / guidance system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

When a service user uses this embodiment, he / she accesses the optimum route search / guidance device 2 of the central station 1 from the portable terminal 4 via the base station 3. In this case, when the mobile terminal 4 is connected (step S1 in FIG. 2), the optimum route determination unit 25 of the optimum route search / guidance device 2 recognizes the position information of the mobile terminal 4 that has transmitted the optimum route search. -The position information of the service user who intends to use the guidance device 2 is recognized (step S2 in FIG. 2), and the position information is stored in the position information database 21.

Here, the public transportation departure / arrival time database 22 and the public transportation departure / arrival place / fare database 23
The area information database 24 and the area information database 24 are constantly updated with the latest information. Since the public transportation departure / arrival time database 22, the public transportation departure / arrival place / fare database 23, and the regional information database 24 are always the latest data, the departure / arrival time, the departure / arrival location,
It is possible to cope with changes in local traffic conditions and the like, and it is possible to prevent the optimum route determination unit 25 from calculating an incorrect optimum route.

Optimal route search / guidance device 2 from portable terminal 4
When the destination is input to and the inquiry about the optimum route is made (step S3 in FIG. 2), the optimum route determination unit 25 uses the current position information of the mobile terminal of the service user and the time when the inquiry is made. , Public transport departure / arrival time database 2
2 and public transportation departure / arrival place / fare database 23 and local information database 24 are searched and judged (step S4 in FIG. 2), and the most optimal route and public transportation to be used are calculated (step S5 in FIG. 2).

When the optimum route judging unit 25 judges from the calculation result that the public transportation is not used (Step S6 in FIG. 2), the purpose obtained by using the position information database 21 and the area information database 24 is obtained. By transmitting the route to the ground to the mobile terminal 4 from the data distribution unit 26 via the base station 3 and displaying the route (step S in FIG. 2).
7) The service user can be guided to the destination.

On the other hand, the optimum route judging section 25 judges that it is optimum to use some public transportation (step S in FIG. 2).
6) For example, when it is possible to arrive at the destination by getting on the train from station A and getting off at station B, if the route from the current location to station A is unknown (step S in FIG. 3).
8) 、 Be careful not to confuse the route from your current location to station A.
Location information database 21 and area information database 24
By transmitting the route from the current location obtained by using the and to the station A to the mobile terminal 4 via the base station 3 from the data distribution unit 26 and displaying it (step S9 in FIG. 3), the service user can be displayed. You can guide from the current location to station A.

Similarly, the optimum route determination unit 25 must know the route from station B to the destination (step S1 in FIG. 3).
2) Don't make a mistake on the route from station B to your destination.
Location information database 21 and area information database 24
The route from the station B to the destination obtained by using the and is transmitted to the mobile terminal 4 from the data distribution unit 26 via the base station 3 and displayed (step S13 in FIG. 3). Can be guided from station B to the destination.

In the case of these steps S7, S9 and S13, even if the map data of the area information database 24 is sent to the mobile terminal 4 as it is for display, the map data is also simplified and a simplified data amount is sent. May be displayed.

Further, the above steps S7, S9, S13
In the above, as the method of calculating the optimum route when the route information is distributed from the data distribution unit 26 to the mobile terminal 4, for example, an efficient algorithm in the field of graph theory can be used. As this algorithm, the Dijkstra method is generally used. This dicratra method is described in detail in "bit Separate Volume Computer Geometry and Terrain Information Processing" (edited by Masao Iri / edited by Takeshi Koshizuka, published by Kyoritsu Shuppan, pp. 151-155, September 1989).

When the arrival / departure time of the public transportation is still ahead when the optimum route is calculated in the above step S5 (step S10 in FIG. 3), the data distribution unit 26 informs the mobile terminal of that fact. By displaying and delivering the data to the user No. 4 (step S11 in FIG. 3), the service user goes to the destination by other means or waits until the arrival and departure time for other purposes (for example, shopping by detouring). It can be used for meaningful purposes without wasting time.

In the above operation, the route from the present location to the station A and the route from the station B to the destination are displayed on the mobile terminal 4. However, in the case of the stations A and B being large, the departure line or Sometimes the arrival number is difficult to understand. In that case, information about the arrival / departure location of station A, station B, etc., such as the station yard or bus terminal numbering guide (guidance for premises placement), is provided to the mobile terminal 4.
By displaying in, you will not miss the public transport even if you arrive at the station or bus terminal early.

If you go to an area where you don't have a good sense of land, it is difficult to reach the destination without getting lost. Further, even when using a public transportation in the area that is unfamiliar, it may be difficult to determine which transportation should be used.

By using the system according to the present embodiment as described above, it is possible to calculate and search for the optimum route, to reach the destination without getting lost, and to reduce the travel time. It becomes possible to minimize it.

When using public transportation, a waiting time for arrival and departure times may occur. Even in such a case, if the waiting time occurs, use the waiting time for other things. There are times when I think I'd be happy to go (for example, make a detour to somewhere to shop). In such a case, by using the system according to the present embodiment, it is possible to avoid such an idea and to make friendly use such as waiting time.

Furthermore, when using public transportation to reach the destination, the cost required to reach the destination can be reduced to a low charge by using the system according to this embodiment. Therefore, even in a first-time area, it is possible to know the optimal route of public transportation including the time and fee and the optimal route to the destination, and it is possible to effectively use the time until reaching the destination.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention, the location information of the portable terminal, the timetable data of the public transportation system, the information of the departure / arrival place and the charge of the public transportation system, and the area information including the map data of the area are provided. At least by searching the optimal route from the accumulated database, distributing the search result to the mobile terminal, displaying the distributed search result on the mobile terminal and guiding to the destination, the time and It is possible to know the optimum route of public transportation including the charge and the optimum route to the destination, and it is possible to effectively use the time until the destination is reached.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an optimum route search / guidance system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the optimum route search / guidance device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the optimum route search / guidance device of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Central station 2 Optimal route search / guidance device 3 base stations 4 mobile terminals 21 Location database 22 Public transportation departure and arrival time database 23 Public Transport Departure / Fare Database 24 area information database 25 Optimal route determination unit 26 Data Distribution Department

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G08G 1/005 G08G 1/005 1/137 1/137 F term (reference) 2F029 AA07 AB13 AC02 AC09 AC13 AC16 5B075 PQ02 UU14 UU16 5H161 AA01 BB20 DD21 DD50 GG01 GG15 GG17 GG23 5H180 AA21 BB05 CC12 FF13 FF32

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A database for accumulating at least location information of a mobile terminal, timetable data of public transportation, information of departure / arrival places and fees of the public transportation, and area information including area map data, and from the database. It has a search means for searching an optimum route and a distribution means for distributing the search result of the search means to the mobile terminal, and displays the search result distributed from the distribution means on the mobile terminal to a destination. Optimal route search / guidance system characterized by being guided. 2. The optimum route from the database to the place of arrival and departure of the public transportation and the optimum route from the place of arrival and departure of the public transportation to the destination based on the position information of the mobile terminal in the search means. At least one of the above is searched, and the search result is distributed from the distribution means to the mobile terminal so as to be guided to at least one of the place of arrival and departure of the public transportation and the destination. The optimum route search according to claim 1
Guidance system. 3. The optimum route is a route determined from at least one of time and cost required to reach the destination.
Optimal route search and guidance system described. 4. The optimum route search according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mobile terminal is notified of a waiting time when moving by the public transportation and displayed. Guidance system. 5. The optimum route search according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the portable terminal is informed of and displayed on the portable terminal, information on the location of the public transportation at the place of arrival and departure.・ Guide system. 6. An optimum route is selected from a database that stores at least location information of mobile terminals, timetable data of public transportation, information of departure and arrival locations and fees of the public transportation, and area information including map data of the area. An optimum route having a step of searching and a step of distributing the search result to the mobile terminal, and displaying the distributed search result on the mobile terminal to guide the user to a destination. Search and guidance method. 7. At least one of an optimum route from the database to the arrival and departure place of the public transportation and an optimum route from the departure and arrival place of the public transportation to the destination based on the position information of the mobile terminal. The optimum one according to claim 6, characterized in that one of them is searched and the search result is distributed to the mobile terminal so as to guide the user to at least one of the place of arrival and departure of the public transportation and the destination. Route search and guidance method. 8. The optimum route is a route determined from at least one of time and cost required to reach the destination.
Optimal route search and guidance method described. 9. The optimum route search according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the waiting time at the time of movement by the public transportation is notified to the mobile terminal and displayed. Induction method. 10. The optimum route search according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the portable terminal is informed of and displayed on the portable terminal, information on the premises arrangement of the departure and arrival place of the public transportation.・ How to guide.