JP2007085898A - Navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for extracting highly precise traffic information out of acquired traffic information to be used in navigation processing, by a simple method, even in a navigation system using up-to-date traffic information as its principle. <P>SOLUTION: This navigation device is provided with a navigation means for conducting the navigation processing using the up-to-date traffic information out of the acquired traffic information. The navigation means however uses the traffic information resulting from a probe car, in the navigation processing, irrespective of the propriety with the up-to-date one, when the traffic information resulting from the probe car generated using information collected by the probe car, and the traffic information that is the traffic information acquired after acquiring the traffic information resulting from the probe car and that is generated not using the information collected by the probe car, are contained in the acquired traffic information, and when the traffic information resulting from the probe car is acquired within a prescribed period. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device.

  There is an in-vehicle navigation device that acquires traffic information (link travel time and congestion degree) held by a traffic information center via a beacon, FM multiplex broadcasting, or a network, and uses the acquired traffic information for navigation processing (non-patent) Reference 1 etc.). Such an in-vehicle navigation device is designed to perform display and route search navigation processing using the latest traffic information as much as possible in order to ensure high accuracy.

JPO, standard technology collection, car navigation system user interface, main classification: 6-C-5 Road Traffic Information Communication System

  In the future, the accuracy of traffic information will become increasingly important. However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, low-accuracy traffic information that does not necessarily conform to the current situation may be used for navigation processing.

  The object of the present invention is a technique for extracting highly accurate traffic information from the acquired traffic information by a simple method and using it for navigation processing even in a navigation device having the principle of using the latest traffic information. Is to provide.

  Information that is the basis of traffic information is not uniform. The traffic information includes traffic information ("installation sensor") based on information collected by traffic sensors installed on the road (number of vehicles passing per hour, vehicle density, vehicle speed, etc.) And the traffic information (referred to as “probe car origin traffic information”) generated using information (vehicle speed, etc.) collected by actually traveling on the road by the probe car. Car-origin traffic information is usually accurate because it is based on actual driving, but on the other hand, probe car-origin traffic information does not always travel regularly on all roads, On the other hand, since the installed sensor origin traffic information is based on the output of a traffic sensor installed at a predetermined position on the road and operating 24 hours a day, the amount of information However, on the other hand, the installed sensor origin traffic information may be incorrect traffic information due to the sensor failure or the obstacle in front of the sensor. As shown in the figure, the latest traffic information obtained is used for navigation processing, that is, even if it is incorrect, it is used for navigation processing if it is up-to-date. The inventor of the present application has paid attention to these points and has made the following present invention.

  That is, the navigation device of the present invention performs the navigation process using the probe car-origin traffic information even if it is not the latest when the predetermined condition is satisfied.

  For example, the navigation device of the present invention includes traffic information acquisition means for acquiring traffic information, and navigation means for performing navigation processing using the latest traffic information among the traffic information acquired by the traffic information acquisition means. . And the navigation means has acquired the probe car origin traffic information generated using the information collected by the probe car and the probe car origin traffic information in the traffic information acquired by the traffic information acquisition means. If the traffic information obtained later and traffic information generated without using the information collected by the probe car is included, the probe car origin traffic information is navigated regardless of whether it is the latest or not. Used for processing.

  The navigation means is acquired after acquiring the probe car origin traffic information generated using the information collected by the probe car and the probe car origin traffic information in the traffic information acquired by the traffic information acquisition means. Traffic information that was generated without using the information collected by the probe car, and the traffic information from the probe car was acquired within a specified period May be used for navigation processing regardless of whether the probe car-origin traffic information is the latest or not.

  Further, the traffic information is for distinguishing between the probe car origin traffic information generated using the information collected by the probe car and the traffic information generated without using the information collected by the probe car. Flag information may be included. Then, the navigation means determines whether or not the traffic information acquired by the traffic information acquisition means includes probe car origin traffic information received within a predetermined period using the flag information. If it is not included, navigation processing is performed using the latest information from the probe car origin traffic information, and if it is not included, the traffic generated without using the information collected by the probe car is used. The navigation process may be performed using the latest information.

  The navigation device may include means for storing correction information for correcting traffic information. And when the said traffic information is the traffic information produced | generated without using the information collected by the probe car, you may make it use the said navigation means for a navigation process, after correct | amending with the said correction information.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the navigation system of the present embodiment includes an in-vehicle navigation device 100 and a traffic information distribution server 203. The traffic information provided from the traffic information center 200 is sent to the traffic information distribution server 203. The in-vehicle navigation device 100 and the traffic information distribution server 203 are connected to the radio base station 401 via the network 400. The traffic information of the traffic information center 200 is also transmitted to the in-vehicle navigation device 100 by the FM multiplex broadcasting station 201 and the beacon 202.

  The traffic information distribution server 203 is configured by an existing computer system including a computing device (CPU), a memory, a communication interface, and the like. The traffic information distribution server 203 stores the traffic information 210 in its own storage device.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the traffic information 210. As shown in the figure, the traffic information 210 includes, for each identification code (mesh ID) 211 of the divided mesh area on the map, an identification code (link ID) of a link constituting the road included in the mesh, the link Link travel time 213, traffic congestion level 214, traffic information generation date / time 215, and flag 216 for determining whether the traffic information is probe car origin traffic information.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the “probe car origin traffic information” is traffic information (link travel time and traffic congestion level) generated using information collected by the probe car. On the other hand, “installation sensor origin traffic information” refers to traffic information (link travel time and traffic congestion) generated based on information collected without actually traveling by a traffic volume sensor installed on the road. That is. In addition, even if the traffic information is generated based on the information collected by sensors placed on the road, the traffic information corrected by the information collected by the probe car is not "installed sensor origin traffic information" It is assumed that it is “probe car origin traffic information”. In addition, VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) information provided by the Road Traffic Information Communication System Center is referred to as “Installation Sensor Origin Traffic Information”, and traffic information generated from information collected by other probe cars is referred to as “Probe”. Car origin traffic information may be used.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the in-vehicle navigation device 100. As shown in the figure, the in-vehicle navigation device 100 includes an arithmetic processing unit 1, a display 2, a storage device 3, a voice input / output device 4, an input device 5, a wheel speed sensor 6, a geomagnetic sensor 7, A gyro sensor 8, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 9, an FM multiplex broadcast receiver 11, a beacon receiver 12, and a network communication device 13 are provided.

  The arithmetic processing unit 1 is a central unit that performs various processes. For example, the present location is detected based on information output from the various sensors 6 to 8 and the GPS receiver 9. Further, map data necessary for display is read out from the storage device 3 based on the obtained current location information. Further, the read map data is developed in graphics, and a mark indicating the current location is superimposed on the map data and displayed on the display 2. Further, an optimal route (recommended route) connecting the destination instructed by the user and the current location (departure location) using the map data stored in the storage device 3 and the traffic information received from the traffic information distribution server 203 or the like. ). Further, the user is guided using the voice input / output device 4 and the display 2.

  The display 2 is a unit that displays graphics information generated by the arithmetic processing unit 1. The display 2 is composed of a CRT, a liquid crystal display, or the like.

  The storage device 3 includes a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, HDD, or IC card. This storage medium stores map data. In the map data, link data of each link included in the mesh area is stored for each mesh ID. The link data includes, for each link ID, coordinate information of two nodes (start node and end node) constituting the link, road type information including the link, link length information indicating the link length, and two nodes. The link ID (connection link ID) of each link to be connected is stored.

  The voice input / output device 4 converts the message to the user generated by the arithmetic processing unit 1 into a voice signal and outputs it. Also, a process of recognizing the voice uttered by the user and transferring the contents to the arithmetic processing unit 1 is performed.

  The input device 5 is a unit that receives instructions from the user. The input device 5 includes a hard switch such as a scroll key and a scale change key, a joystick, a touch panel pasted on a display, and the like.

  The sensors 6 to 8 and the GPS receiver 9 are used for detecting the current location (vehicle position) by the vehicle-mounted navigation device 100. The wheel speed sensor 6 measures the distance from the product of the wheel circumference and the measured number of rotations of the wheel, and further measures the angle at which the moving body is bent from the difference in the number of rotations of the paired wheels. The geomagnetic sensor 7 detects the magnetic field held by the earth and detects the direction in which the moving body is facing. The gyro 8 is configured by an optical fiber gyro, a vibration gyro, or the like, and detects an angle at which the moving body rotates. The GPS receiver 9 receives a signal from a GPS satellite and measures the distance between the mobile body and the GPS satellite and the rate of change of the distance with respect to three or more satellites to thereby determine the current position, travel speed, and travel of the mobile body. Measure orientation.

  The FM multiplex broadcast receiving apparatus 11 receives traffic information transmitted from the FM multiplex broadcast station 201 as an FM multiplex broadcast signal.

  The beacon receiving device 12 receives traffic information transmitted from the beacon 202.

  The network communication device 13 mediates exchange of information between the in-vehicle navigation device 100 and the traffic information distribution server 203.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the arithmetic processing unit 1.

  As illustrated, the arithmetic processing unit 1 includes a user operation analysis unit 41, a current position calculation unit 42, a route search unit 43, a route guidance unit 44, a communication processing unit 45, a reception information storage unit 46, And a display processing unit 47.

  The user operation analysis unit 41 receives a request from the user input to the input device 5, analyzes the request content, and controls each unit of the arithmetic processing unit 1 so that processing corresponding to the request content is executed. To do. For example, when a user requests a search for a recommended route, the display processing unit 47 is requested to display a map on the display 2 in order to set a destination. In addition, the display processing unit 47 is requested to display the received traffic information.

  The current position calculation unit 42 uses distance data and angle data obtained as a result of integrating the distance pulse data S5 measured by the wheel speed sensor 6 and the angular acceleration data S7 measured by the gyro 8, respectively. The current position (X ′, Y ′), which is the position after the vehicle travels, is periodically calculated from the initial position (X, Y). Further, by performing map matching processing using the calculation result, the current location is matched with the road (link) having the highest shape correlation. Further, the present location is corrected periodically by the output of the GPS receiver 9.

  The route search unit 43 uses a Dijkstra method or the like to search for a route that minimizes the cost (for example, travel time) of a route connecting two designated points (current location, destination). When searching for a route, the link travel time included in the received traffic information is used. Also, a route that avoids a road with a high traffic congestion level is searched. The route guidance unit 44 performs route guidance using the route searched by the route search unit 43.

  Upon receiving the traffic information download request, the communication processing unit 45 connects to the traffic information distribution server 203 via the network communication device 13 and requests the traffic information download. The downloaded traffic information is stored in the reception information storage unit 46. In addition, the communication processing unit 45 stores the traffic information received from the FM multiplex broadcasting station 201 and the beacon 202 in the reception information storage unit 46. When the storage device 3 is configured by a rewritable HDD, flash ROM, or the like, the communication processing unit 45 may store the received information in the storage device 3.

  The display processing unit 47 receives map data in an area required to be displayed on the display 2 from the storage device 3, and at a specified scale and drawing method, roads, other map components, current location, destination, A map drawing command is generated so as to draw a mark such as an arrow for the guide route. Then, the generated command is transmitted to the display 2.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the arithmetic processing unit 1.

  As illustrated, the arithmetic processing unit 1 has a configuration in which devices are connected by a bus 32. The arithmetic processing unit 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21 that executes various processes such as numerical calculation and control of each device, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that stores map data, arithmetic data, and the like read from the storage device 3. ) 22, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 23 for storing programs and data, a DMA (Direct Memory Access) 24 for transferring data between the memories and between the memory and each device, and graphics drawing. In addition, a drawing controller 25 that performs display control, a video random access memory (VRAM) 26 that stores graphics image data, a color palette 27 that converts image data into RGB signals, and an A / D that converts analog signals into digital signals. Converter 28 and an SCI (Serial Communication Interface) that converts the serial signal into a parallel signal synchronized with the bus. ace) 29, a PIO (Parallel Input / Output) 30 that puts a parallel signal on the bus in synchronization with the bus, and a counter 31 that integrates the pulse signal.

  [Description of Operation] Next, the operation of the in-vehicle navigation device 100 configured as described above will be described.

  As described above, the communication processing unit 45 receives traffic information from the traffic information distribution server 203 via the network periodically or according to a request from the user, and stores the traffic information in the reception information storage unit 46. In addition, traffic information distributed from the traffic information center 200 is received via the FM multiplex broadcasting station 201 and the beacon 202 and stored in the reception information storage unit 46.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the traffic information 460 stored in the reception information storage unit 46 in this way. The configuration of the traffic information 460 is basically the same as the traffic information 210 shown in FIG. However, the communication processing unit 45 adds the reception date and time 467 to the received traffic information and stores it in the reception information storage unit 46. Accordingly, the traffic information 460 stores a record 468 of the received traffic information for each reception date and time 467. Note that the communication processing unit 45 periodically performs a process of deleting a record 468 that has passed a predetermined period (for example, 2 hours) from the reception date 467.

  The route search unit 43 performs a route search using the traffic information 460 thus stored. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the route search process.

  The user operation analysis unit 41 receives a destination setting from the user via the input device 5 (S110).

  Next, the route search unit 43 specifies a mesh related to the route from the current position to the destination. For example, the route search unit 43 refers to the map data and temporarily searches for a route with the minimum total cost using the distance of each link (or a temporary link travel time obtained by dividing the distance by a predetermined speed) as a cost. To do. Then, the mesh including the temporarily searched route is set as a related mesh (S120).

  Next, the route search unit 43 sets a cost for route search of each link in the related mesh (S130). Here, the link travel time is set as the cost. The route search unit 43 extracts the link travel time of each link from the traffic information 460 stored in the reception information storage unit 46.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of traffic information (link travel time) extraction processing for each link. The route search unit 43 selects links one by one from the links included in the related mesh, and performs this flow for each link.

  First, the route search unit 43 determines whether or not there is a record 468 including the link travel time 463 related to the selected link in the traffic information 460 (S131).

  When there is no corresponding record 468 (No in S131), the route search unit 43 finishes the traffic information extraction process for the link on the assumption that there is no traffic information that can be used for the link.

  On the other hand, when there is a corresponding record 468 (Yes in S131), the route search unit 43 extracts a record 468 with the latest reception date 467 from the corresponding record 468 (S132).

  Next, the route search unit 43 determines whether or not the link travel time 463 of the link included in the record 468 extracted in S132 is probe car origin traffic information. Specifically, based on the flag 466, it is determined whether it is probe car origin traffic information (S133).

  When the link travel time 463 of the link is probe car origin traffic information (Yes in S133), the route search unit 43 sets the link travel time 463 as the cost used in the route search (S135).

  On the other hand, when the link travel time 463 of the link is not the probe car origin traffic information (No in S133), the route search unit 43 includes the traffic information received within a predetermined time (for example, within 30 minutes from the present), It is determined whether there is probe car origin traffic information related to the link. Specifically, a record 468 whose reception date and time 467 is within a predetermined time is extracted from the traffic information 460, and the link travel time 463 of the link is probe car origin traffic information in the extracted record 468. Whether there is a record 468 is determined.

  If there is probe car origin traffic information related to the link in the traffic information received within the predetermined time (Yes in S134), the route search unit 43 uses the probe car origin traffic information with the latest reception date. To set the cost. Specifically, the route search unit 43 first receives the reception date / time 467 from the record 468 in which the reception date / time 467 is within a predetermined time and the link travel time 463 of the link is probe car origin traffic information. Extract records. Then, the link travel time 463 of the link included in the extracted record 468 is set as the cost for route search (S135).

  On the other hand, if there is no probe car origin traffic information related to the link in the traffic information received within the predetermined time (No in S134), the route search unit 43 determines the traffic information extracted in S132 (that is, the latest traffic information). The cost is set using the installation sensor origin traffic information). Specifically, the link travel time 463 of the link in which the reception date 467 extracted in S132 is included in the latest record 468 is set as the cost for the route search.

  The route search unit 43 performs the above processing (S131 to S136) for each link included in the related mesh. Thereafter, the route search unit 43 proceeds to S140 in FIG.

  Next, the route search unit 43 searches for a route that minimizes the total cost to the destination. For links for which the link travel time could not be specified in S130, the link travel time is determined by dividing the link length of the link data by a predetermined average speed, and the cost of the link is determined (S140).

  When the route to the destination is searched for in this way, the route search unit 43 displays the searched route on the display 2 via the display processing unit 47.

  FIG. 9 is an example of the display screen 310 of the display 2. As shown in the figure, a recommended route (thick solid line) is displayed on the map.

  The display processing unit 47 may display the link travel time of the displayed link (or the travel time of the link constituting the specific section). Moreover, you may make it display with the traffic congestion degree of the link.

  The traffic information used for display is extracted from the traffic information 460 based on the presence / absence of the flag 416 and the reception date / time 417 in the same manner as the flow shown in FIG.

  Further, as indicated by reference numerals 311 and 312 in FIG. 9, the display processing unit 47 may display so that it can be seen whether or not the displayed traffic information is probe car origin traffic information.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which traffic information used for route search is selected from the acquired traffic information 460 has been mainly described. Not only this but also when selecting the traffic information used for a display from the acquired traffic information 460, it can carry out with the flow shown in FIG.

  According to the above embodiment, even when the acquired latest traffic information is the installation sensor origin traffic information that does not take into account the information collected by the probe car, the probe car origin traffic information is received within a predetermined time. If so, the probe car origin traffic information is preferentially used.

  In other words, the traffic information generated based on the information collected by the traffic sensor installed on the road may be incorrect information due to a sensor failure or an obstacle in front of the sensor. As shown in FIG. 5, in principle, in the case of an in-vehicle navigation device designed to use the latest traffic information, even if wrong traffic information is the latest, it is used for navigation processing. According to the present embodiment, contrary to this principle, since the probe car-origin traffic information is used even if it is not the latest, the use of traffic information with high accuracy is ensured.

  Further, since probe car origin traffic information whose reception date and time is within a predetermined time is used, too old information is not used.

  <Modification> The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The above embodiment can be variously modified within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

  For example, when the traffic information to be used is installation sensor origin traffic information, the traffic information may be used after correcting the traffic information.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of extraction processing of traffic information to be used in such a case. In addition, the route search part 43 shall hold | maintain the information (correction information) for correct | amending installation sensor origin traffic information previously. Here, the correction information is, for example, a correction coefficient when correcting by multiplying the link travel time by a coefficient. When the link travel time is corrected by adding (or subtracting) a predetermined value, it is an added value (or subtracted value).

  Similarly to the flow shown in FIG. 8, it is assumed that the route search unit 43 has extracted installation sensor origin traffic information which is the latest traffic information in S136. Then, it is assumed that the link travel time 463 included in the traffic information is specified. Then, the route search unit 43 next corrects the identified link travel time 436 using the correction information (S137).

  Specifically, when the correction information is a correction coefficient for correcting the link travel time, the route search unit 43 multiplies the specified link travel time by the correction coefficient to recalculate the link travel time. The calculated link travel time is set as the cost of the link.

  Note that the traffic information distribution server 203 may hold the correction information, for example, periodically to distribute the updated correction information. And the vehicle-mounted navigation apparatus 100 receives the distributed correction information. As described above, if the traffic information distribution server 203 distributes correction information for accurately correcting the installation sensor origin traffic information, the vehicle-mounted navigation device 100 accurately acquires the installation sensor origin traffic information in real time. It can be corrected.

  The in-vehicle navigation device 100 may generate correction information by itself. For example, the route search unit 43 generates correction information from the difference between the probe car origin traffic information and the installation sensor origin traffic information in the traffic information acquired so far. Specifically, from the traffic information 460, the link travel time for the same link is classified into installation sensor origin traffic information and probe car origin traffic information based on the flag 466. And the average of the difference of both link travel time is calculated. Then, the difference is stored as correction information. In S137, the difference is added to (or subtracted from) the link travel time of the installation sensor origin traffic information. Moreover, the vehicle-mounted navigation device 100 may generate correction information from the installation sensor origin traffic information that has been distributed and the probe information measured in the past by the host vehicle. Specifically, for each link, the link travel time of the installation sensor origin traffic information and the link travel time of the probe information obtained by traveling in the past are compared, and the average of the difference is used as the correction information.

  Further, the correction information may be varied according to the type of road that constitutes the link. In such a case, it is assumed that the correction information is set for each type of road. Then, when correcting the link travel time of the installation sensor origin traffic information, the route search unit 43 uses the correction information determined according to the road type of the link.

  Further, the correction information may be changed according to the date and time. FIG. 11 shows the configuration of the correction information 250 when different correction information is used according to the date and time. In the correction information 250, a correction value 254 is determined for each type of day 251, season 252, and time zone 253. The correction value is, for example, a coefficient that is multiplied by the link travel time. When correcting the link travel time, the route search unit 43 uses the correction value 254 in the day type 251, season 252, and time zone 253 corresponding to the current date and time. In this way, the link travel time of the installation sensor origin traffic information can be corrected with higher accuracy.

  In the above embodiment, whether or not the traffic information 640 is the latest is determined based on the reception date and time 467, but may be determined based on the generation date and time 465.

  In addition, although the example which applied this invention to the vehicle-mounted navigation apparatus was demonstrated, this invention is applicable also to navigation apparatuses other than vehicle-mounted.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration example of traffic information held by the traffic information distribution server. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the in-vehicle navigation device 100. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the arithmetic processing unit 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the arithmetic processing unit 1. FIG. 6 is a configuration example of traffic information stored in the in-vehicle navigation device. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of route search processing. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the traffic information extraction process (S130 in FIG. 6) to be used. FIG. 9 is an example of a display screen. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the traffic information extraction process (S130 in FIG. 6) to be used. FIG. 11 is a configuration example of the correction information. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining traffic information used by a normal vehicle-mounted navigation device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Vehicle-mounted navigation apparatus, 200 ... Traffic information center, 203 ... Traffic information delivery server, 400 ... Network,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Arithmetic processing part, 2 ... Display, 3 ... Memory | storage device, 4 ... Audio | voice input / output device, 5 ... Input device, 6 ... Wheel speed sensor, 7 ... Geomagnetic sensor, 8 ... Gyro, 9 ... GPS receiver, 11 ... FM multiplex broadcast receiver, 12 ... beacon receiver, 13 ... network communication device, 21 ... CPU, 22 ... RAM, 23 ... ROM, 24 ... DMA, 25 ... drawing controller, 26 ... VRAM, 27 ... color palette, 28 ... A / D converter, 29 ... SCI, 30 ... PIO, 31 ... counter, 41 ... user operation analysis unit, 42 ... current position calculation unit, 43 ... route search unit, 44 ... route guidance unit, 45 ... communication processing unit, 46 ... received information storage unit, 47 ... display processing unit

Claims (8)

A navigation device,
Traffic information acquisition means for acquiring traffic information;
Navigation means for performing navigation processing using the latest traffic information among the traffic information acquired by the traffic information acquisition means,
The navigation means includes
The traffic information acquired by the traffic information acquisition means includes probe car origin traffic information generated using information collected by the probe car and traffic information acquired after the probe car origin traffic information is acquired. And the traffic information generated without using the information collected by the probe car is used for navigation processing regardless of whether the probe car origin traffic information is the latest or not. Navigation device. A navigation device,
Traffic information acquisition means for acquiring traffic information;
Navigation means for performing navigation processing using the latest traffic information among the traffic information acquired by the traffic information acquisition means,
The navigation means includes
The traffic information acquired by the traffic information acquisition means includes probe car origin traffic information generated using information collected by the probe car and traffic information acquired after the probe car origin traffic information is acquired. If the traffic information generated without using the information collected by the probe car is included, and if the probe car-origin traffic information was acquired within the predetermined period,
A navigation apparatus characterized in that the probe car-origin traffic information is used for navigation processing regardless of whether it is the latest or not. A navigation device,
Traffic information acquisition means for acquiring traffic information;
Navigation means for performing navigation processing using the latest traffic information among the traffic information acquired by the traffic information acquisition means,
The traffic information includes flag information for distinguishing between probe car origin traffic information generated using information collected by a probe car and traffic information generated without using information collected by a probe car. The navigation means includes
Using the flag information, it is determined whether the traffic information acquired by the traffic information acquisition means includes probe car origin traffic information received within a predetermined period,
If it is included, use the latest of the probe car origin traffic information to perform navigation processing,
If not included, the navigation apparatus performs navigation processing using the latest traffic information generated without using the information collected by the probe car. A navigation device,
Means for storing correction information for correcting traffic information;
Traffic information acquisition means for acquiring traffic information;
Navigation means for performing navigation processing using the traffic information acquired by the traffic information acquisition means,
The navigation means includes
When the traffic information is traffic information generated without using information collected by a probe car, the navigation device is used for navigation processing after being corrected with the correction information. In claim 4,
A navigation device comprising means for acquiring the correction information from an external server device. In claim 4,
Of the traffic information acquired by the traffic information acquisition means, the probe car origin traffic information generated using the information collected by the probe car, and the traffic information generated without using the information collected by the probe car A navigation apparatus comprising correction information generation means for generating the correction information based on a difference from the navigation information. In claim 4,
The correction information is
It is categorized by at least one of day type, season and time zone,
The navigation means includes
A navigation device that corrects traffic information using correction information corresponding to a current date and time. A server device that distributes traffic information to a navigation device,
The traffic information includes
Flag information for distinguishing probe car origin traffic information generated using information collected by the probe car from traffic information generated without using information collected by the probe car is included. A server device.

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