JP2010071913A - Navigator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem, wherein there is a need for converting into form, using an application such as map display exists, after merging traffic information from each communication means, in a traffic information link unit, or the like, and securing consistency in a navigator for receiving traffic information from a plurality of the communication means. <P>SOLUTION: Whenever traffic information is received, a database part 2 uniquely numbers the transaction ID discriminating numerical data, on the basis of time information of the numerical data and information of classification of the communication means in traffic information; generates transaction ID management table including the transaction ID, the time information and classification of the communication means to be stored to a first storing part 3; substitutes the time information in the received numerical data and the classification of the communication means with the transaction ID; and registers the numerical data, after substitution to a second storing part 4 or uses updating of contents of the registered numerical data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device, receives traffic information such as traffic jams, restrictions, or parking lot congestion through a plurality of communication means, and uses the received traffic information for applications such as superimposed display on a map, route search, or route guidance. It relates to the navigation technology used.

  As a conventional navigation apparatus, there is a navigation apparatus that uses received traffic jam information or restriction information for route search (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Further, when traffic information is provided from a plurality of transmission sources, there is a navigation device that selects and stores one traffic information according to a predetermined rule when traffic information related to the same event is duplicated at the same point (for example, , See Patent Document 2).

JP 2006-267006 A Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-320192

  Due to recent advances in communication technology, various means such as FM multiplex broadcasting, roadside beacons, satellite radio, and mobile phones have been introduced as communication means for transmitting traffic information from the information center to the navigation device. Further increase is expected.

  In addition, even when traffic information is provided by one communication means from one information center, depending on the characteristics of the communication means such as communication capacity, communication timing or communication delay in the navigation device, etc. The traffic information provided by the communication means is different. For example, “traffic information about road X is provided from communication means A but not from communication means B (thus, by using both the traffic information of communication means A and the traffic information of communication means B, A wider range of traffic information can be used.) "Or" For traffic information related to road Y, the information provided by the communication means D than the information provided by the communication means C " (Thus, when the communication means D can be used, the information provided by the communication means D is given priority over the communication means C, so that more accurate traffic information can be used.) The situation that says "" can occur. "

  Therefore, in a navigation apparatus that receives traffic information from a plurality of communication means, traffic information from each communication means is a traffic information link unit (a unit for managing roads in an information center, and traffic jam information and regulation information are Units set) or parking units (units where parking lot congestion information is set) are integrated and managed uniformly, and after ensuring consistency, applications such as map display, route search, and route guidance are used. There is a problem that the optimum traffic information cannot be provided to the application unless the process of converting to a format that can be performed is performed. That is, when the latest traffic information is sequentially provided from a plurality of communication means for the same traffic information link unit or the same parking lot unit, if the consistency of the traffic information from the plurality of communication means is not taken, the navigation device knows. There is a problem that the user service (application for map display, route search, route guidance, etc.) based on the optimum traffic information to be obtained cannot be performed.

  Further, in the future, as the communication capacity increases with the realization of new communication means, it is assumed that a large amount of traffic information will be frequently received by the navigation device, the time of traffic information (newness of traffic information) and communication means. There is a problem that there is a need to efficiently carry out processing for ensuring consistency with respect to the type of traffic information in units of traffic information links or parking lots.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned concerns, and its main purpose is to create a plurality of applications by creating optimal real-time traffic information by combining traffic information received from a plurality of communication means. An object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device that can be efficiently used from the Internet.

  The subject of the present invention is a navigation device for receiving traffic information at a receiving means through at least one of a plurality of communication means and providing the information to a user, the first storage section and the second storage section Each time the traffic information is received, (A) the transaction ID for identifying the numerical data is uniquely determined based on the time information of the numerical data included in the traffic information and the type information of the communication means that has transmitted the traffic information. (B) The transaction ID management table including the transaction ID of the numerical data of the received traffic information, the time information, and the type of the communication means that transmitted the traffic information is generated, and the transaction ID management is performed. The table is stored in the first storage unit, and (C) the time information and the communication hand in the received numerical data of the traffic information. Replacing a type in the transaction ID, and characterized by comprising a database unit for storing in the second storage unit the numeric data after the replacement as a registered numeric data.

  According to the subject matter of the present invention, since it is possible to create optimal numerical data by combining traffic information received from a plurality of communication means using a transaction ID, it is possible to efficiently use from a plurality of applications. It becomes possible. Moreover, instead of storing the information indicating the time and the information indicating the type of the communication means in the numerical data that requires management of a large number of data such as a traffic information link and a parking lot, the information indicating the time and the communication Since the information indicating the type of means is stored and managed in the transaction ID management table, the storage capacity required for storing numerical data can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, various embodiments of the subject of the present invention will be described in detail along with the effects and advantages thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the navigation device according to the present embodiment. The navigation device includes a receiving unit 1, a database unit 2, a read / writeable first storage unit 3 as a transaction ID management table (corresponding to a lookup table), and a read / writeable second unit for storing numerical data. It comprises a storage unit 4, a map display unit 5, a route search unit 6, and the like.

  The receiving unit 1 receives the traffic information generated in the information center through communication means such as FM multiplex broadcasting, roadside beacon, satellite radio, or mobile phone.

  The database unit 2 includes the traffic information received by the receiving unit 1 (1) abstract data such as text information or image information that is presented to the user as it is, and (2) traffic jam information, regulation information, parking lot congestion information, etc. Divided into numerical data. Then, the database unit 2 uniquely assigns a transaction ID for identifying the numerical data based on the time of each numerical data and the type of the communication means, and assigns the assigned transaction ID to the numerical data. Then, based on the transaction ID given to each numerical data, the registration, update, reading, and deletion of the numerical data are managed in a unified manner as will be described later.

  Specifically, (1) abstracted data corresponds to, for example, level 1 or 2 information (character display type information or simple graphic display type information) in VICS (registered trademark: Vehicle Information and Communication System). (2) The numerical data corresponds to level 3 information (map display type (congestion information, regulation information, parking lot congestion information)) in VICS. In VICS, information of each level is mixed and received by the receiver 1 through FM multiplex broadcasting and / or roadside beacons.

  The receiving unit 1 manages, as numerical data, traffic jam information and regulation information managed by a traffic information link that is a road management unit in the information center, and a parking lot that is a parking unit management unit in the information center. Describes the case of handling parking lot congestion information.

  The traffic jam information in the numerical data represents information indicating the location of the traffic jam (number identifying the traffic information link (traffic information link ID)), information representing the traffic jam time, the type of communication means, and the content of the traffic jam. It consists of information (travel time, congestion level, type of congestion, etc.).

  The restriction information in the numerical data represents information indicating the place of restriction (a number identifying the traffic information link (traffic information link ID)), information indicating the time of restriction, the type of communication means, and the contents of the restriction. Consists of information (regulation types, etc.).

  The parking lot congestion information in the numerical data includes information indicating the location of the parking lot (number identifying the parking lot (parking lot ID such as coordinates)), information indicating the time of the parking lot congestion status or availability status, It consists of the type of communication means and detailed information (such as the number of accommodation) of the parking lot.

  The reception unit 1 basically generates traffic information at the information center as the time of the above numerical data (the time of traffic jam, the time of regulation, the time of parking congestion or availability status: time information). Set the time (offer time). Therefore, it can be said that the numerical data is generated from newer observation data (freshness is higher) as the time of the numerical data is newer.

  Alternatively, the time at which the traffic information is received by the reception unit 1 (reception time) may be prioritized, and the reception unit 1 may set the time of the numerical data (“numerical data time” = “reception time”). Alternatively, the time of numerical data may be set using both the provision time and the reception time.

  Here, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of the transaction ID management table 3 created and managed by the database management unit 2 in the navigation device according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, the provision time is the time of the numerical data.

  Each time the database unit 2 in FIG. 1 receives new traffic information from the receiving unit 1, the database unit 2 assigns a transaction ID so that the transaction ID is uniquely determined from the time of the numerical data and the type of communication means (for example, (Consecutive natural numbers are sequentially assigned as transaction IDs.) The transaction ID uniquely assigned by the database unit 2 is managed by the transaction ID management table 3.

  As a result, when new traffic information is received, if the transaction ID uniquely determined by the time of the same numerical data and the same type of communication means already exists in the transaction ID management table 3, the database The unit 2 assigns or uses an existing transaction ID existing in the transaction ID management table 3 to the received numerical data of the traffic information without assigning a new transaction ID. To uniquely assign a transaction ID implies such a meaning.

  Depending on the delay characteristics of the communication means, a situation may occur in which the numerical data provision time received by the communication means A is newer than the numerical data provision time received by the communication means B later. Therefore, when “providing time” is used as the time of the numerical data and the transaction IDs are set as consecutive numbers, there may be a situation where the transaction IDs are not arranged in ascending order of the providing times. In order to avoid such a situation, the transaction IDs are not numbered with consecutive numbers, but are intermittently numbered, for example, every tenth time, so that the transaction IDs are in ascending order of the provided time. They may be arranged in accordance with each other, or “reception time” may be set as the time of numerical data.

  The database unit 2 replaces the time of the numerical data and the type of the communication means with the transaction ID in the information included in the numerical data, and stores the replaced numerical data in the second storage unit 4. The numerical data is managed with the transaction ID.

  Specifically, the database unit 2 manages the traffic jam information in the numerical data as a group of information representing the traffic information link ID, the transaction ID, and the content of the traffic jam.

  The database unit 2 manages the restriction information in the numerical data as a group of information indicating the traffic information link ID, the transaction ID, and the contents of the restriction.

  The database unit 2 manages the parking lot congestion information in the numerical data as a set of parking lot ID, transaction ID, and detailed parking lot information.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the database unit 2 when the navigation apparatus according to the present embodiment newly receives traffic jam information from a certain communication means. The database unit 2 repeats the following process for all traffic information links received this time (step ST308).

  First, as described above, the database unit 2 refers to the transaction ID management table 3 to determine a transaction ID (step ST301). In other words, if the transaction ID defined by the same time and the same type of communication means already exists in the transaction ID management table 3, the database unit 2 does not assign a new transaction ID and On the other hand, the transaction ID is assigned to the numerical data. Otherwise, a newly uniquely assigned transaction ID is assigned to the numerical data.

  Then, the database unit 2 searches for the numerical data registered in the second storage unit 4 using the traffic information link ID as a key (step ST302).

  As a result, (A) when the numerical data having the same traffic information link ID does not exist in the storage unit 4, the database unit 2 newly registers the received numerical data in the second storage unit 4 (step ST303). And step ST304).

  On the other hand, when (B) numerical data having the same traffic information link ID exists in the storage unit 4, the database unit 2 stores the transaction ID of the received numerical data (congestion information) and the second storage unit 4. Are compared with the transaction IDs of the numerical data (congestion information) having the same traffic information link ID already existing in (determine which transaction ID is newer). As a result, when the transaction ID of the received traffic jam information is newer, the database unit 2 updates the content of the existing numerical data to the newer traffic information content given by the received numerical data (step ST303, Step ST305 and step ST306). As a method of comparison determination at that time, the database unit 2 may determine the freshness of the traffic information based on the size relationship of the transaction IDs when the transaction IDs are arranged in ascending order of the time of the numerical data. Alternatively, the freshness of the traffic information may be determined by obtaining and comparing the time of the numerical data from the transaction ID management table using the transaction ID as a key.

  On the other hand, when the received numerical data is traffic information older than the existing numerical data having the same traffic information link ID in the second storage unit 4, the database unit 2 discards the received numerical data. (Step ST303, Step ST305 and Step ST307).

  Alternatively, instead of step ST305, step ST306, and step ST307 in FIG. 3, for example, the information transmitted by the communication unit C is used in preference to the information transmitted by the communication unit D. Is the “type of communication means to be used preferentially” (set in the database unit 2 in advance by program setting or set in the database unit 2 by the user via an input unit (not shown)). It is also possible to determine whether to update the numerical data according to That is, when it is determined as “YES” in step ST303, the database unit 2 first accesses the transaction ID management table 3 to identify the type of communication means of the received traffic information numerical data, It is determined which of the registered numeric data communication means to be searched corresponds to the “type of communication means to be preferentially used”. As a result, (a) when the type of communication means of the received numerical data of traffic information corresponds to “type of communication means to be used preferentially”, the database unit 2 determines that the registered numerical value to be searched. The contents of the data are updated to the contents of the numerical data of the received traffic information. On the other hand, (a) when the type of the communication means of the registered numerical data corresponds to “the type of communication means to be used preferentially”, the database unit 2 determines that the registered numerical value to be searched. The received traffic information numerical data is discarded without updating the data contents. Furthermore, (c) the type of communication means for the registered numerical data to be searched and the type of communication means for the received numerical data of traffic information are both classified as “types of communication means to be used preferentially”. When it is determined that it does not correspond, the database unit 2 compares both transaction IDs. If the transaction ID given to the received traffic information numerical data is newer, the relevant database to be searched While updating the contents of the registered numeric data to the contents of the numeric data of the received traffic information, if the transaction ID given to the numeric data of the received traffic information is older, the numeric value of the received traffic information Data will be discarded.

  In the above description, the operation of the database unit 2 when the reception unit 1 receives traffic jam information as traffic information is described, but the operation of the database unit 2 is the same for the restriction information. Further, regarding the parking lot congestion information, if the database unit 2 uses the parking lot ID instead of the traffic information link ID, the operation of the database unit 2 is the same as that shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device according to the present embodiment when the database unit 2 deletes unnecessary numerical data.

  For example, it is not realistic to store numerical data that is old and is not expected to be used in the second storage unit 4 due to storage capacity limitations. Therefore, the amount of numerical data stored in the second storage unit 4 is adjusted by the apparatus executing the processing shown in FIG. 4 at a predetermined time interval (one hour interval or the like), for example. The apparatus repeats the following process for all registered numerical data (step ST405).

  First, the database unit 2 refers to the transaction ID management table 3 and determines a transaction ID to be deleted based on each provision time in the table 3 (step ST401). For example, all transaction IDs whose provision time is older than one hour ago are targeted for deletion.

  Next, the database unit 2 sequentially checks the transaction ID of each numerical data registered in the second storage unit 4 (step ST402). Then, the database unit 2 determines whether the transaction ID of the checked numerical data corresponds to the transaction ID determined to be deleted (step ST403). If applicable, the database unit 2 deletes the registered numerical data (step ST404). If not, the database unit 2 maintains the registration of the numerical data (step ST403 → Step ST405).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present apparatus when the database unit 2 provides traffic information to the map display unit 5 in the navigation apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 shows the case where the traffic information is provided to the map display unit 5, but the same operation is performed when the traffic information is provided to other parts such as the route search unit 6. Is executed.

  First, the database unit 2 refers to the transaction ID management table 3 and determines a transaction ID to be read by the map display unit 5 (step ST501). For example, the database unit 2 determines all transaction IDs whose provision time is newer than one hour ago as reading targets of the map display unit 5.

  Next, the database unit 2 determines a range of numerical data registered in the second storage unit 4 to be read by the map display unit 5 (step ST502). For example, when the traffic information link desired by the map display unit 5 and the range of the parking lot are represented by rectangles of latitude and longitude, the database unit 2 exists within the rectangle range represented by the latitude and longitude. The traffic information link and the parking lot to be determined are determined using the traffic information link ID and the parking lot ID. For example, by creating a list of the traffic information link ID and a list of the parking lot ID, the range of the registered numerical data is determined. decide.

  After that, the database unit 2 repeats the following processing for all the numerical data within the numerical data range determined in step ST502. First, the database unit 2 checks the transaction ID of numerical data to be read (step ST503). Then, the database unit 2 determines whether or not the transaction ID to be checked corresponds to a transaction ID to be read by the map display unit 5 (step ST504). Data is read from the second storage unit 4 (step ST505). The database unit 2 may provide the read numerical data to the map display unit 5 as it is, or the database unit 2 converts the read numerical data into a format usable by the map display unit 5. The numerical data after conversion may be provided to the map display unit 5. For example, as an example of conversion, a correspondence table (usually stored in map data) between a traffic information link and a map link managed by a navigation device (usually managed in units smaller than the traffic information link). It is assumed that numerical data is distributed to information such as travel time in units of map links.

  As described above, it is possible to create optimal numerical data (real-time traffic information) by combining traffic information received from a plurality of communication means using a transaction ID, so that it can be efficiently used from a plurality of applications. It becomes possible.

  Moreover, instead of storing the information indicating the time and the information indicating the type of the communication means in the numerical data that requires management of a large number of data such as a traffic information link and a parking lot, the information indicating the time and the communication Since the information indicating the type of means is stored and managed in the transaction ID management table, the required storage capacity can be reduced.

(Embodiment 2)
The present embodiment corresponds to a modification of the first embodiment, and FIG.

  The feature point is that (i) a communication means used in a plurality of communication means is specified or fixed. (Ii) For this purpose, the database unit 2 uniquely determines a transaction ID only from the time of numerical data. The transaction ID is numbered so as to be determined, a transaction ID management table consisting only of the numbered transaction ID and the time of the numerical data is created and stored in the first storage unit 3, and (iii) the database unit 2 Of traffic information received from a specific communication means, information indicating time in numerical data (information indicating traffic jam time, information indicating regulation time, and time of parking lot congestion and availability status) Is replaced with a uniquely assigned transaction ID.

  Other points are as described in the first embodiment.

  Here, FIG. 6 shows an example of a transaction ID management table created when the database unit 2 according to the present embodiment assumes that the time of the numerical data is “provided time”. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the transaction ID management table includes only the transaction ID and the corresponding provision time, and is simplified compared to the case of FIG.

  According to the present embodiment, the time of numerical data is stored in the second storage unit 4 together with the corresponding traffic information link and parking lot link (for example, the storage capacity is about 4 bytes). The storage capacity of the second storage unit 4 for registering numerical data can be significantly reduced (for example, the storage capacity is about 2 bytes).

  For example, in order to express time information, when storing without using the transaction ID, 34 bits (year (0-255) = 8 bits, month (1-12) = 4 bits, day (1-31) ) = 5 bit, hour (0-23) = 5 bit, minute (0-59) = 6 bit, second (0-59) = 6 bit) time information is required. However, when a transaction ID is used, it is sufficient if the time information is 16 bits depending on the frequency of reception.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the navigation device according to the present embodiment. The navigation device of FIG. 7 further includes a readable / writable third storage unit 7 for storing statistical data, as compared with the navigation device of FIG.

  Here, “statistical data” refers to the above-mentioned traffic information link created by statistical processing such as average processing for each time zone for each day of the week using historical information of traffic information links or parking lot units. This is data representing a time series change in the degree of congestion, travel time or parking lot congestion. For example, when a change in travel time for one day on Monday is created as statistical data every 5 minutes, data representing a time-series change for one day is represented as 288 data strings. It is stored in the storage unit 7.

  The statistical data may be always stored in the third storage unit 7 of the navigation device together with the map data or the like, or only the statistical data necessary when the database unit 2 is necessary is used as external information. After obtaining from the center using the communication means, only the necessary statistical data obtained may be stored in the third storage unit 7.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an outline of a calculation method when calculating predicted traffic information using numerical data and statistical data managed by the database unit 2 in the navigation device according to the present embodiment. It is.

  FIG. 8 shows a predetermined prediction period X that is set in advance from the time (for example, provision time) of the numerical data (the time for calculating the predicted traffic information by combining (integrating) the numerical data that is real-time traffic information with the statistical data) FIG. 8 shows an example of calculating the predicted travel time Tpredict (thick broken line C1 in FIG. 8) within the range up to the point of time elapses. Note that FIG. 8 shows a case where the travel time is predicted, but other traffic information predictions such as a traffic jam degree or a parking lot congestion degree can be calculated in the same manner. FIG. 8 shows an example in which the prediction period X when calculating the predicted travel time Tpredict is 2 hours. However, depending on the type of data to be predicted, the prediction period X is changed from 2 hours to another time. It may be changed. If the prediction period X is set to be short, predictions that place importance on numerical data (real-time traffic information) are performed. Conversely, if the prediction period X is set to be long, predictions that place importance on statistical data are possible. In particular, for road traffic conditions such as travel time or traffic congestion, the effect of considering real-time traffic information is small in the prediction beyond 2 hours (prediction using statistical data is sufficient). Therefore, it can be said that the prediction error can usually be reduced by setting 2 hours as the prediction period X.

  In the period from the time of the numerical data to the prediction period X, the predicted traffic information is calculated by combining the numerical data and the statistical data as shown in C1 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the predicted traffic information does not change greatly and discontinuously around the time of the numerical data and the end time of the prediction period, and the characteristics of the change in the statistical data within the range of the prediction period (FIG. 8). Then, it is possible to calculate predicted traffic information with high accuracy in consideration of (increase in travel time near T1).

The database unit 2 determines the value calculated by the following equation (1) as the predicted travel time.
Tpredict = T0
+ (T2-T0) × Δ / X
+ {T1−T0− (T2−T0) × Δ / X)} × Δ / X (1)
Here, T0 is the travel time of the numerical data, T1 is the travel time at the time at which the predicted travel time of the statistical data is to be calculated, and T2 is the travel at the time of the numerical data plus the prediction period X It's time. Δ is the time difference between the time at which the predicted travel time is to be calculated and the time of the numerical data, and Δ or the time at which the predicted travel time is to be calculated is input to the database unit 2 from the user via the input unit 8 of FIG. Alternatively, the data is automatically input to the database unit 2 once or after a predetermined time has elapsed from the route search unit 6 which is one of the applications of this apparatus. The reason for multiplying Δ / X in the third equation on the right side of equation (1) is to give a weighting value for calculating the predicted travel time in consideration of not only numerical data but also statistical data. It is.

  As described above, the predicted travel time Tpredict calculated based on the equation (1) is depicted by the thick broken line C1 in FIG.

  As shown above, the latest numerical data (real-time traffic information) matched by the database unit 2 and the statistical data are combined to perform prediction in the near future (for example, within 2 hours). The effect of improving is acquired.

  In addition, for example, it is assumed that traffic information such as travel time or congestion level is displayed on the map in a superimposed manner, or the travel time itself is presented to the user as text information. As shown in FIG. 8, when there is a difference between the value of the numerical data (real-time traffic information) and the value of the statistical data at the time of the numerical data, after presenting the time of the numerical data as the current information, If the statistical data is presented as it is as the prediction information immediately after (for example, 5 minutes later), the traffic information presented to the user changes greatly (the gap between the current and the prediction information immediately after that is not much different from the present is large). , The user feels uncomfortable. Therefore, as shown above, the database unit 2 calculates the predicted traffic information and presents the calculated predicted traffic information to the user, so that the user can feel uncomfortable and the navigation device presents It is possible to increase the reliability of traffic information to be transmitted, to facilitate route guidance using the traffic information, and to eliminate traffic congestion.

  While the embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed and described in detail above, the above description exemplifies aspects to which the present invention can be applied, and the present invention is not limited thereto. In other words, various modifications and variations to the described aspects can be considered without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the transaction ID management table of the navigation apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of a database part at the time of performing registration of a numerical data, and the presence or absence of the update, when the traffic information from a communication means with a navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is newly received. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the database unit when deleting unnecessary numerical data from the numerical data stored in the second storage unit in the navigation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of a database unit when providing traffic information to a map display unit in the navigation device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the transaction ID management table of the navigation apparatus concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the navigation apparatus concerning Embodiment 3 of this invention. In the navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention, the outline | summary of the calculation method in case a database part calculates estimated traffic information using the numerical data and statistical data which the database part manages is shown. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  1 receiving unit, 2 database unit, 3 transaction ID management table, 4 numerical data storage unit, 5 map display unit, 6 route search unit, 7 statistical data storage unit, 8 input unit.

Claims (6)

A navigation device that receives traffic information at a receiving unit through at least one of a plurality of communication means and provides information to a user.
A first storage unit;
A second storage unit;
Each time the traffic information is received, (A) a transaction ID for uniquely identifying the numerical data is taken based on time information of the numerical data included in the traffic information and information on a type of communication means that has transmitted the traffic information. (B) generating a transaction ID management table including the transaction ID of the received numerical data of the traffic information, the time information, and the type of communication means that transmitted the traffic information, and generating the transaction ID management table (C) The time information and the type of the communication means in the received numerical value data of the traffic information are replaced with the transaction ID, and the numerical value after the replacement is registered. A database unit that stores the data in the second storage unit as data;
Navigation device. The navigation device according to claim 1,
Each time the database unit receives the traffic information,
(C-1) The second storage unit using the traffic information link ID, which is either one of the information indicating the traffic jam location or the information indicating the traffic regulation location, included in the received numerical data of the traffic information as a key. Whether or not the registered numerical data stored in the search is the same as the traffic information link ID of the received numerical data of the traffic information. Judging
(C-2) When there is no registered numerical data having the same traffic information link ID as the traffic information link ID of the received numerical data of the traffic information among all the registered numerical data While storing the numerical data of the received traffic information after the transaction ID is given as the newly registered traffic information in the second storage unit,
(C-3A) If there is registered numerical data having the same traffic information link ID as the traffic information link ID of the received numerical data of the traffic information in the registered numerical data, The transaction ID included in the registered numeric data is compared with the transaction ID given to the received numeric data of the traffic information, and the transaction ID given to the received numeric data of the traffic information is more If it is new, update the contents of the registered numeric data to the contents of the received numeric data of the traffic information, and if the transaction ID given to the received numeric data of the traffic information is older And discarding the received numerical data of the traffic information,
Navigation device. The navigation device according to claim 1,
Each time the database unit receives the traffic information,
(C-1) The second storage unit using the traffic information link ID, which is either one of the information indicating the traffic jam location or the information indicating the traffic regulation location, included in the received numerical data of the traffic information as a key. Whether or not the registered numerical data stored in the search is the same as the traffic information link ID of the received numerical data of the traffic information. Judging
(C-2) When there is no registered numerical data having the same traffic information link ID as the traffic information link ID of the received numerical data of the traffic information among all the registered numerical data While storing the numerical data of the received traffic information after the transaction ID is given as the newly registered traffic information in the second storage unit,
(C-3B) When there is registered numerical data having the same traffic information link ID as the traffic information link ID of the received numerical data of the traffic information in the registered numerical data,
By accessing the transaction ID management table, either the type of communication means of the received numerical data of the traffic information or the type of communication means of the registered numerical data to be searched is preset. In addition, determine whether it corresponds to the type of communication means to be used preferentially,
(C-3B-1) When the type of the communication means of the received numerical data of the traffic information corresponds to the type of the communication means used with priority, the contents of the registered numerical data to be searched are Update to the contents of the numerical data of the received traffic information,
(C-3B-2) When the type of the communication means of the registered numerical data corresponds to the type of the communication means used with priority, the contents of the registered numerical data to be searched are updated. Without discarding the received numerical data of the traffic information,
(C-3B-3) If none of the above-mentioned types of communication means to be used preferentially is present, the received traffic information will be the numeric data rather than the transaction ID contained in the registered numeric data. If the given transaction ID is newer, the content of the registered numeric data to be searched is updated to the content of the received numeric data of the traffic information, and the transaction included in the registered numeric data If the transaction ID given to the received numerical data of the traffic information is older than the ID, the received numerical data of the traffic information is discarded.
Navigation device. The navigation device according to claim 2 or 3,
The database unit stores, in the second storage unit, a parking lot ID, which is information representing the location of the parking lot, included in the received numerical data of the traffic information instead of the traffic information link. The registered numerical data is sequentially searched,
Navigation device. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The database unit is provided at predetermined time intervals.
(D) Referring to the transaction ID management table stored in the first storage unit, determine a transaction ID to be deleted,
(E) For each of all the registered numerical data stored in the second storage unit, a transaction ID included in the registered numerical data, and a transaction ID determined as the deletion target Are determined, and if they match, the registered numerical data is deleted from the second storage unit,
Navigation device. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A third storage unit for storing statistical data indicating time-series changes in traffic information;
The database unit uses the statistical data and the registered numerical data stored in the second storage unit to obtain traffic information at an arbitrary time within a predetermined prediction period from the time of the numerical data. Characterized by forecasting,
Navigation device.

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