JP2010086187A - Device and system for calculating moving time - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a moving time calculation device and a moving time calculation system, allowing calculation of a moving time between spots rapidly in response to a change of a spot while improving convenience of a user. <P>SOLUTION: This moving time calculation device 300 has: a position information storage part 321 recording a plurality of pieces of position information each representing a position of a prescribed spot; a spot selection part 333 selecting two spots whose position information is recorded in the position information storage part 321; a distance derivation part 346 deriving a distance between the two spots based on the position information of the two spots selected by the spot selection part 333; and a moving time derivation part 347 substituting the distance derived by the distance derivation part 346 for a moving time function for deriving a moving time length predicted that the moving time length is needed for movement of a distance when the distance is substituted to derive the moving time length between the two spots. The moving time function derives the moving time length such that an increase amount of the moving time length to the substituted distance changes according to the distance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a travel time calculation device and a travel time calculation system.

  A traveler who travels alone decides himself / herself a plan such as where to stay, what to eat, where to go, and what means of transportation during the trip. However, in order to make a travel plan for such an individual trip, the location of the tourist destination in the travel area, the means of transportation, the travel time, the presence of restaurants, the presence or absence of events, the opening time zone of the destination, the holding of the sightseeing target It is necessary to check information such as the time zone in advance.

  With the spread of the Internet in recent years, such information can be easily acquired by using various information sites, route search engines, and the like. However, it is still necessary for the traveler himself to make a travel plan that can be actually realized by examining the individual information and adjusting the travel time and holding time, etc. Met. In particular, a search engine on a network that can calculate a travel time necessary for traveling from a departure place to a destination, including a time necessary for transfer of transportation means used for the travel, is disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. It is described in. According to the route search engine described in Patent Document 1, since an accurate travel time can be provided via a network, a user who has acquired information about the travel time creates an accurate travel plan. Is possible.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-263786

  However, when a general user who is not familiar with travel, such as an individual traveler, is not a travel agency employee or a travel traveler, for example, what kind of event is included in the travel plan? It is rare to decide whether to include it at once. In this way, when a general user creates a travel plan, the departure point and the arrival point for calculating the travel time are not uniquely determined, and the plurality of departure points and the plurality of arrival points are variously switched. In many cases, a plurality of patterns are compared.

  Therefore, when the travel plan is created, the route search engine described in Patent Document 1 is used, but although it is possible to calculate an accurate travel time, every time the departure point, arrival point, waypoint, etc. are replaced. The travel time length is searched via the network. As a result, a long time is required for the search for the travel time length. In addition, when such a route search engine is a so-called heavy-weight billing system in which a fee is generated according to the number of searches and the amount of communication, for example, the cost increases each time a departure point, arrival point, waypoint, etc. are finely adjusted. End up. Therefore, in creating a travel plan using such a travel route search engine, it is not convenient for the user because it takes a long time or costs just to finely adjust the arrival point. Further, such inconvenience may cause the user to hesitate when changing the arrival point or the like. Therefore, in order to avoid such inconvenience, the user is required to determine the departure point, arrival point, and waypoint at once, but travel time is an important factor in determining these points. As a result, it may be possible to have a negative result.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to improve the convenience for the user and respond quickly to changes in the locations between the locations. It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved travel time calculation device and travel time calculation system capable of calculating a travel time.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, according to an aspect of the present invention, a location information storage unit in which a plurality of location information indicating the location of a predetermined location is recorded, and a location in which location information is recorded in the location information storage unit A point selection unit for selecting two, a distance deriving unit for deriving the distance between the two points based on the position information of the two points selected by the point selection unit, and the distance when the distance is substituted A travel time deriving unit for deriving the travel time length between the two points by substituting the distance derived by the distance deriving unit into a travel time function for deriving a travel time length predicted to be required for the movement of And the travel time function derives the travel time length so that an increase amount of the travel time length with respect to the distance changes according to the substituted distance. Provided.

  According to this configuration, the point selection unit selects two points for which the travel time length is to be calculated, and the distance deriving unit can derive the distance between the two points based on the position information. The travel time deriving unit can derive the travel time length by substituting this distance into the travel time function. At this time, the travel time function used by the travel time deriving unit can derive the travel time length so that the increase amount of the travel time length with respect to the distance changes according to the distance. That is, this travel time function changes the increase amount of the travel time length according to the distance so as to reflect the means of transportation and the characteristics of the area when actually traveling. Therefore, it is possible to calculate a movement time length closer to the movement time length actually required for movement between two points. In addition, since the travel time length is calculated by using the travel time function by the travel time deriving unit, the travel time length can be quickly and easily derived without performing a route search or the like via the network. it can. Therefore, for example, even if the point selection unit changes the selected point, it is possible to quickly and easily derive the travel time length.

  In addition, the travel time function may derive the travel time length so that an increase amount of the travel time length with respect to the distance decreases as the substituted distance becomes longer.

  In addition, a moving time function storage unit in which a plurality of different moving time functions are recorded, an area specifying unit that specifies an area including the point based on the position information, and an area specified by the area specifying unit A moving time function selecting unit that selects one or more moving time functions from the plurality of moving time functions recorded in the moving time function storage unit, and the moving time deriving unit is The travel time length between the two points may be derived using the travel time function selected by the travel time function selection unit.

  In addition, when the two points are included in the same area, the movement time function selection unit selects an in-area movement time function associated with movement in the area, and the two points are included in different areas. In this case, at least an inter-area movement time function that is different from the intra-area movement time function and that is associated with movement between the areas may be selected.

  Further, the inter-area moving time function may be such that a decrease amount with respect to the distance in an increasing amount of the moving time length with respect to the distance is larger than the intra-area moving time function.

  In addition, when the two points are included in different areas, the movement time function selection unit includes the area movement time function associated with movement in each area and the area associated with movement between the areas. The movement time deriving unit sets a new point in each of the areas, and uses the movement time function in the area to add the two points and the new movement time function. In addition to deriving the intra-area travel time length between different points, the inter-area travel time length between the new points may be derived using the inter-area travel time function.

  Also, an execution time setting unit for setting an execution time zone for executing an event executed at each of the two points, a travel time length derived by the travel time deriving unit, and a setting by the execution time setting unit And a determination unit that determines whether or not the execution time zone can be set based on the execution time zone.

  According to this configuration, the determination unit can determine whether or not the set event execution time zone is executable. As an example of this determination, for example, when the time interval between the execution time zones of a plurality of events is less than the movement time length, the determination unit determines that the execution time zone cannot be set and moves If it is longer than the time length, it may be determined that the execution time zone can be set. Since the determination unit determines whether or not the execution time zone can be set in this way, the execution time setting unit can flexibly set the execution time zone, and the execution time zone can actually set the event. It is not necessary for the user to check whether or not it is set to be executable. In addition, it is also possible to prevent a travel plan that is actually not feasible.

  In addition, after two or more points are selected by the point selection unit and the execution time zone is set by the execution time setting unit for each event of the two or more points, at least the execution time of each event A determination unit that further includes a movement time setting unit that sets a movement time zone that can actually move between two or more points based on the execution time information that represents a band and the position information of the two or more points. May further determine whether or not the execution time zone can be set based on the possible travel time information indicating the travel time zone set by the travel time setting unit and the execution time information.

According to this configuration, after two or more points are selected by the point selection unit and the execution time zone is set by the execution time setting unit for each event at two or more points, It is possible to set a movement time zone in which movement between two or more points is possible. This movement time zone is set based on the execution time information indicating the execution time zone and the position information of the event point, and represents a time zone in which the vehicle can actually move according to the transportation means. Then, by using the possible travel time information indicating the travel time zone, the determination unit can determine whether or not the event execution time zone can be set. As an example of this determination, for example, when the event execution time zone and the movement time zone overlap, the determination unit determines that the execution time zone cannot be set, and the event execution time zone. And the movement time zone may not be superimposed, it may be determined that the execution time zone can be set.
That is, when setting an execution time zone, a travel time length predicted to be necessary for movement between two or more points is derived by the travel time deriving unit, and the execution time zone is based on this travel time length. Whether or not can be set is determined by the determination unit. On the other hand, after the execution time zone is set, the movement time zone where the movement between two or more points is actually possible is set by the movement time setting unit, and the execution time zone can be set based on this movement time zone It is determined whether or not. Note that the travel time setting unit can calculate the travel time zone by itself or have another configuration calculate it, and sets the travel time zone of this calculation result. In general, rather than calculating the approximate travel time length, calculating the actual travel time zone requires a larger amount of data and more time to process. Therefore, when setting the execution time zone in this way, the determination is made based on the travel time length that can be calculated more quickly, and after setting the execution time zone, the determination is made using the actual travel time zone. By doing so, it is possible to select two or more points while ensuring the necessary minimum travel time, flexibly set the execution start time and end time of each event at that point, and create it faster it can.

The execution time setting unit may reset the execution time zone so that the execution time zone can be set when the determination unit determines that the execution time zone is not settable. .
According to this configuration, when the execution time zone once set by the execution time setting unit cannot actually be set, the execution time zone can be set again so that it can be set by the execution time setting unit. .

In addition, an execution time adjustment unit that adjusts the execution time zone set by the execution time setting unit is provided, and the determination unit determines whether or not the execution time zone adjusted by the execution time adjustment unit can be set. May be further determined.
According to this configuration, the execution time zone adjustment unit can adjust the execution time zone set by the execution time zone setting unit. Then, the determination unit can determine whether or not the adjusted execution time zone can be set.

In addition, when an execution time zone of at least one event is already set by the execution time setting unit and a new event is selected by the event selection unit, the event set as the new event point You may have a display control part which displays the movement time length between these points on a display screen.
According to this configuration, when the execution time zone of one event is already set and a new event is selected by the event selection unit, the display control unit sets the new event point and the already set event point. It is possible to display the travel time length between the two on the display screen. Therefore, the user can set the execution time zone of a new event in consideration of the displayed travel time length.

The display control unit may further display the determination result by the determination unit on the display screen.
According to this configuration, the determination result by the determination unit can be displayed on the display screen by the display control unit. Therefore, the user can know from the determination result whether or not the set execution time zone can be set.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, a travel time calculation device that calculates an expected travel time length required for travel between two points, and a network connected to the travel time calculation device A travel time requesting terminal that allows the travel time calculation unit to calculate the travel time length, and the travel time calculation device stores a plurality of pieces of position information indicating the position of a predetermined point. Based on the position information of the two points selected by the position information storage unit, the point selection unit that selects two points where the position information is recorded in the position information storage unit, and the two points selected by the point selection unit Substituting the distance derived by the distance deriving unit into the distance deriving unit for deriving the distance between the points and the moving time function deriving the moving time length predicted to be required to move the distance when the distance is substituted. When moving between the two points above A travel time deriving unit for deriving a length, and the travel time function derives the travel time length so that an increase amount of the travel time length with respect to the distance changes according to the substituted distance. A travel time calculation system is provided.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, a computer stores a plurality of pieces of position information representing the position of a predetermined point, and a position information storage function. A point selecting function for selecting two points where information is recorded, a distance deriving function for deriving a distance between the two points based on position information of the two points selected by the point selecting function, When substituted, the distance derived by the distance deriving unit is substituted into the movement time function for deriving the estimated movement time length required for the movement of the distance, and the movement time length between the two points is derived. A moving time deriving function, wherein the moving time function realizes deriving the moving time length so that an increase amount of the moving time length with respect to the distance changes according to the substituted distance. Provided by the program That.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to calculate the travel time between points in response to a change of points quickly while improving user convenience.

  Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in this specification and drawing, about the component which has the substantially same function structure, duplication description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

  Note that the travel time calculation device or system according to each embodiment of the present invention can quickly and easily calculate the travel time length between two points, even if the point is changed. In addition, it is possible to calculate the travel time between points quickly and easily. Such a travel time calculation device or system can be applied to various devices and the like, but particularly when the point where the travel time length is calculated can be changed, the effect and the like are more exhibited. It is possible. Therefore, in order to facilitate understanding of the effects and the like when the point is changed in this way, in the following, the travel plan creation device and system in which the point is often changed are included in each embodiment of the present invention. A case where the travel time calculation apparatus and system are applied will be described. That is, hereinafter, a travel plan creation device and system will be described as an example of a travel time calculation device and system according to each embodiment of the present invention. However, this travel plan creation device and system do not limit the application destination of the travel time calculation device and system according to each embodiment of the present invention. It is needless to say that the travel time calculation device and system can be used only for calculating the travel time, and can be applied to various other devices.

<Configuration of Travel Plan Creation System According to First Embodiment>
First, the configuration of the travel plan creation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the travel plan creation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a travel plan creation system 100 according to this embodiment includes a travel plan request terminal 200, a travel plan creation device 300, and a travel time search engine 500.

  The travel plan creation system 100 is an example of a travel time calculation system, and creates a travel plan according to a predetermined operation by a user. “Travel plan” here means, for example, a schedule / time schedule / plan table in which one or more events are arranged in time series. In other words, the travel plan has information “from what time to what time an event is executed” for each of one or more events set during a predetermined period (travel period), and the user travels. It is for reference during the action inside. The travel plan creation system 100 according to the present embodiment, as this travel plan, considers travel time between events, that is, travel time that is expected to travel between points where each event is executed. Create a plan. In addition, this travel plan gives a guideline to a user's action, and does not bind a user's action. The travel plan creation system 100 is intended to create a travel plan, and the created travel plan does not need to be actually executed. Furthermore, the user who creates this travel plan may be different from the user who executes the actual travel plan.

  In addition, for convenience of explanation, the user's purpose of action during the period in which the travel plan is created is referred to as “travel”, but it is not limited to travel in a strict sense, but for various purposes such as business trips, homecoming, outings, etc. It is assumed that the travel plan includes not only the outside of the user's normal action range (for example, where to stay, where to work, frequently visited areas and the vicinity thereof), but also the plans within the area. In other words, the travel plan includes, for example, a schedule table when simply going out to the suburbs.

  Furthermore, the “event” mentioned here means, for example, a place, event, event, event, action, etc. for the user to stay, participate, appreciate, perform, etc. during the trip. Events include, for example, watching and performing concerts, sports and events, visiting attractions, scenic spots and sightseeing spots, staying at lodging facilities, participating in meetings, eating at restaurants, and sightseeing vehicles. To get on. However, the event is not limited to the example given here, and can be executed by a user at a predetermined place (point) and can include various events that require a predetermined length of time for execution. . Here, such events are collectively referred to as an event, and staying, participating, viewing, execution, and the like regarding this event are collectively referred to as “execution”. And the time interval (time slot | zone) which plans execution of each event included in the travel plan is also called "execution time slot | zone" here.

Returning to the description of the configuration of the travel plan creation system 100.
The travel plan request terminal 200 and the travel plan creation device 300 can be connected to each other via a communication network (hereinafter referred to as “network 400”) such as the Internet, LAN, and WAN.

  The travel plan request terminal 200 is an example of a travel time request terminal, and is operated by a user. In response to the user operation, the travel plan creation device 300, which is an example of a travel time calculation device, creates a travel plan. The predetermined signal and information are transmitted. On the other hand, the travel plan creation apparatus 300 that has received the predetermined signal creates a travel plan desired by the user through predetermined processing and operations described below. Then, the travel plan request terminal 200 acquires the created travel plan and provides the travel plan to the user by, for example, displaying it on a display screen, outputting it by voice, or recording it in a recording device.

  The travel plan creation apparatus 300 can be further connected to a travel time search engine 500 (for example, a travel route search engine) via the network 400. The travel time search engine 500 searches for travel time that can be traveled from one point to another. The travel time search engine 500 will be described more specifically. The travel time search engine 500 searches other servers on the network 400 for information on actual transportation means (moving means) or has the information itself. “Transportation information” includes, for example, timetables for transportation such as trains, buses, airplanes, ships, etc. that are operated regularly or irregularly, such as walking, cars, bicycles, etc. Information that can calculate the required time by the means (may be speed information). The travel time search engine 500 further acquires position information regarding the departure point and the arrival point, and departure time information regarding the departure time. Based on the position information and departure time information (may be arrival time information), the travel time search engine 500 searches for information relating to transportation means that can be actually taken according to these information. Furthermore, the travel time search engine 500 calculates a travel time zone in which it is possible to actually travel between two points based on the retrieved information on the means of transportation. That is, the moving time zone is a time zone in which the user can actually move between two points according to the moving means. The travel time search engine 500 can output information representing the calculated travel time zone. The output “information indicating the travel time zone” is also referred to herein as “possible travel time information”. That is, this possible travel time information includes a travel time zone in which it is possible to travel between two points based on actual travel means. Note that this possible travel time information may also include information on the retrieved travel means. The travel time search engine 500 may search and output not only one possible travel time information but also possible travel time information for a plurality of routes (routes) according to other travel means and departure times that can be taken. Good. On the other hand, the travel plan creation device 300 can acquire this possible travel time information from the travel time search engine 500 and use it for creating a travel plan. The travel plan creation apparatus 300 calculates and uses “predicted travel time information” in addition to the possible travel time information, which will be described later.

  In the present embodiment, a travel plan creation system 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described as an example of a configuration for creating a travel plan. However, this is one embodiment of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this example. The present invention can be implemented as, for example, a single travel plan creation device in which the travel plan request terminal 200 and the travel plan creation device 300 are integrated. Further, the present invention is a travel plan creation device that creates a travel plan in response to requests from various information processing terminals such as computers, mobile phones, and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) that can be connected via the network 400. It can also be implemented. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms. When the present invention is implemented as one travel plan creation device, a user can create a travel plan by directly operating the travel plan creation device.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, a configuration in which the travel plan creation device 300 acquires the possible travel time information from the external travel time search engine 500 will be described as an example. However, this is also an embodiment of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the travel plan creation device 300 itself may calculate the possible travel time information in the same manner as the travel time search engine 500.

<Configuration of travel plan request terminal>
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the travel plan request terminal 200 includes a travel plan creation request transmission unit 210, a travel plan reception unit 220, and a display unit 230.

  The travel plan creation request transmission unit 210 transmits a predetermined signal and information for causing the travel plan creation device 300 to create a travel plan in accordance with a user operation. Examples of the predetermined signal and information include creation start information, event selection information, execution time setting information, route setting information, and the like, but other various signals and information may be used as necessary. Needless to say.

  The “creation start information” includes necessary information for causing the travel plan creation apparatus 300 to start creating a travel plan, and other information as necessary. Examples of information included in the creation start information include a “start signal” that causes the travel plan creation device 300 to start creating a travel plan, “region information” that represents a region where the user plans to travel, and a user that travels. For example, “period information” indicating the period during which the user intends to do the work. In addition, the creation start information may include additional information such as the user's age, sex, preference, and an event executed in the past. “Event selection information” is output in response to a user's operation, and is information representing “which event the user wants to include in the travel plan” or the like. The “execution time setting information” is output in response to a user operation, and is information representing “what time zone the user desires to execute the event”. The execution time setting information does not fix the execution time zone in the travel plan created by the travel plan creation device 300. The execution time zone of each event included in the travel plan is the execution time setting information. Is not necessarily accurately reflected. The “route setting information” is information that is output in response to a user operation and represents a movement route (route) between events set in the travel plan.

  The travel plan receiving unit 220 receives the travel plan created by the travel plan creation device 300 and displays the received travel plan on the display screen of the display unit 230. The travel plan receiving unit 220 receives not only the travel plan but also various information output by the travel plan creation device 300 during the creation of the travel plan, for example, and displays a part or all of the received information. 230 can be displayed on the display screen. The travel plan receiving unit 220 may display various other information on the display screen of the display unit 230 in accordance with a user operation. In addition, although the display image example displayed on the display screen of the display unit 230 described below is displayed by the travel plan receiving unit 220 and the display unit 230, for convenience of explanation, Description of the fact that the travel plan receiving unit 220 and the display unit 230 display is omitted as appropriate. Examples of information to be displayed on the display unit 230 include “event information” representing event contents, “judgment result information” representing “judgment result”, and “warning” representing “warning display (alarm display)”. Information "etc., which will be described later. The travel plan receiving unit 220 can not only display predetermined information on the display screen, but can also output, for example, audio or record it in a separate storage device (not shown).

<Configuration of Travel Plan Creation Device 300>
Furthermore, with reference to FIG. 1, the structure of the travel plan production apparatus 300 is demonstrated.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the travel plan creation apparatus 300 includes a communication unit 310, an event information storage unit 321, an event information registration unit 322, an event list creation unit 331, a display control unit 332, and an event selection unit 333. A travel time calculation unit 340, an execution time setting unit 351, a time consistency determination unit 352, an execution time adjustment unit 353, and a travel time setting unit 354.

  The communication unit 310 is connected to the network 400 and serves as an interface for communication with the travel plan request terminal 200 and other terminals.

  The event information storage unit 321 is an example of a position information storage unit, and records one or more event information each representing the content of an event. Each event information includes information such as a name, a holding time, and a holding place regarding the event. An example of information included in the event information is shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining event information used by the travel plan creation system according to the present embodiment.

(About event information)
Event information includes, for example, “id information”, “name_jp information”, “post_code information”, “address_jp information”, “op_our_jp information”, “op_start_minutes information”, “op_end_minutes information”, “links information”, “lat information” ”,“ Lon information ”,“ keywords information ”,“ pre_time_length information ”,“ image information ”,“ guidance information ”,“ priority information ”, and the like.

  The id information is an identifier for identifying each event, and is represented by, for example, an ID (Identification) number. Here, it is assumed that the id information is a destination number to which a different value is assigned for each event. The name_jp information is information indicating the name of the event. The post_code information is information representing the postal code of the position where the event is executed (hereinafter also referred to as “location”). The address_jp information is information indicating the address of the location of the event. The op_hour_jp information is information representing a descriptive text about the event holding time. The op_start_minutes information is information indicating the start time (for example, opening time / starting time, etc.) of the event holding time zone. The op_end_minutes information is information indicating the end time (for example, closing time, closing time, etc.) of the event holding time zone. The links information is information representing an external link destination such as a homepage related to an event, and represents, for example, a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier). The lat information is information representing the latitude of the location of the event. The long information is information representing the longitude of the location of the event. The keyword information is information representing a keyword or the like of the event. For example, the keyword information may be information including a keyword included in the name / content / location of the event, an attribute or type of the event, and the like. The pre_time_length information is information that represents an execution time length that is expected to be required when an event is executed and is set as an initial setting. The image information is image data related to an event reminiscent of the event, such as an image of the event itself. Guidance information is information representing an explanation (announcement) of an event such as “what event is the event”. The priority information is information representing the priority of the event. Needless to say, the event information may include various information other than the above information.

The event information storage unit 321 records the above information. In the travel plan creation system 100 according to the present embodiment, among the plurality of pieces of information, in particular, “address_jp information”, “lat information”, “ The travel plan is created using “lon information”, “op_start_minutes information”, “op_end_minutes information”, “pre_time_length information”, “priority information”, and the like.
The “address_jp information”, “lat information”, and “lon information” are collectively referred to as “position information” in the sense that the information indicates the position of a predetermined point where the event is executed. Note that the position information may include “post_code information”. Of this location information, “address_jp information” (and “post_code information”) is also referred to herein as “address information”. Further, “lat information” and “lon information” are also referred to herein as “latitude information” and “longitude information”, respectively.
Further, “op_start_minutes information” and “op_end_minutes information” are also referred to as “holding time information” in the sense that they are information for determining the start and end times of the holding time period. Here, “the holding time” means a time during which the event can be executed, and is usually represented as a time zone having a predetermined time width from the start time to the end time. Therefore, such a time zone is also referred to as a “holding time zone”. In addition, “pre_time_length information” is also referred to herein as “execution time length information”. This execution time length information may be set in advance by statistically obtaining the time length required for the execution as a result of actually executing the event, for example, by the time length determined by the event organizer or the like. It may be set in advance, or may be set in advance to a minimum time length necessary for executing an event.
Further, “priority information” is also referred to herein as “priority information”. For example, in the case where a priority is assigned to each event, the priority information may be information representing the priority. In addition, the priority information may be information that represents the attributes of the performer, such as an age group or a gender that executes the event. In this case, the priority of the event can be determined based on the priority information according to the attribute of the user who wants to create the travel plan.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the description returns to another configuration of the travel plan creation apparatus 300.
The event information registration unit 322 is an example of a position information registration unit, and can record (register) event information in the event information storage unit 321. The event information registration unit 322 acquires the event information via a communication unit 310 from a storage device such as another portal site that discloses the event information on the network 400, and stores the event information in the event information storage unit 321. It may be recorded. In addition, the event information registration unit 322 receives event information output from the travel plan request terminal 200 in response to a user's operation or event information input by direct operation of the travel plan creation device 300 by the user. 321 may be recorded.

  The event list creation unit 331 selects event information of events included in the travel plan from one or more event information recorded in the event information storage unit 321, and creates a list of the events.

  More specifically, the event list creation unit 331 starts operation when it acquires a “start signal” included in the “creation start information” output from the travel plan request terminal 200. The event list creation unit 331 that has started the operation is first held in the travel period within and near the travel destination area designated by the user based on the “region information” and “period information”. Event information is retrieved from the event information storage unit 321 and output to the display control unit 332. The display control unit 332 displays the event information and predetermined information (for example, map data of the area) on the display screen of the display unit 230 included in the travel plan request terminal 200.

  In this case, an example of a display image displayed on the display screen of the travel plan request terminal 200 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the map data of the area and icons I (icon, for example, image information and name_jp information) of each event information are displayed on the display screen as the display video M1. Then, the user who refers to this display image operates the travel plan request terminal 200 and selects event candidates to be included in the travel plan. As an operation of this event, for example, the user drags an icon I of an event to be included in the travel plan, and drops the icon I in the event list column L as indicated by an arrow A1. Thus, event candidates can be selected. The travel plan creation request transmission unit 210 outputs the selected event candidate to the event list creation unit 331 as “event selection information” for creating an event list. At this time, for example, when the user moves the cursor to the icon I, or drags or clicks on the icon I, the travel plan request terminal 200 displays address_jp information, op_hour_jp information, links information, image information, guidance in the message field ME. By displaying information or the like, the user can be provided with information regarding the event.

  The event list creation unit 331 creates a list of events to be included in the travel plan (hereinafter also referred to as “event list”) based on the acquired event selection information. Then, the event list creation unit 331 outputs the created event list to the display control unit 332 and the event selection unit 333. The display control unit 332 displays the event list and information on the time table T described later on the display screen of the display unit 230 included in the travel plan request terminal 200.

  At this time, an example of a display image displayed on the display screen of the travel plan request terminal 200 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the event list is displayed together with the time table T on the display screen as the display video M2. This event list is displayed in the event list column L in the display video M2. Further, the time table T is recorded in, for example, the event information storage unit 321 and is output based on “period information” set by the user by the display control unit 332.

  As described above, the display control unit 332 displays predetermined images based on various information output from the event list creation unit 331, the travel plan request terminal 200, and the like on the display screen of the display unit 230 of the travel plan request terminal 200. Display. In addition, as will be described below, the display control unit 332 displays various information output from other configurations of the travel plan creation apparatus 300 on the display screen of the display unit 230.

  The event selection unit 333 is an example of a point selection unit, and selects two or more events for setting an execution time zone from event information included in the event list. As a result, the event selection unit 333 selects two or more events (including the points) whose event information is recorded in the event information storage unit 321. At this time, the event selection unit 333 sequentially selects each event based on “event selection information” output from the travel plan creation request transmission unit 210 of the travel plan request terminal 200 for setting an execution time zone. . The event selection information is output from the travel plan creation request transmission unit 210 in accordance with a user operation.

  More specifically, the user refers to an event list (for example, FIG. 4) created by the event list creation unit 331 and displayed on the display screen by the display control unit 332, while referring to the event list field L. From the icon I, the icon I of the event whose execution time zone is to be set is selected. Then, the travel plan creation request transmission unit 210 transmits event selection information according to the user's operation. The event selection unit 333 acquires event selection information, and selects an event represented in the event selection information (that is, selected by the user). Then, the event selection unit 333 outputs the event information of the selected event to the display control unit 332 and the travel time calculation unit 340. By repeating this operation, the event selection unit 333 selects two or more events, and sequentially outputs the event information to the display control unit 332 and the travel time calculation unit 340.

  Receiving this event information, the display control unit 332 displays the holding time information in the event information on the display screen. An example of the holding time information displayed on this display screen is shown in FIG. As described above, the holding time information represents the holding time zone of the event. Therefore, the display control unit 332 displays the holding time zone OP on the display screen by outputting the holding time information to the travel plan request terminal 200. FIG. 4 shows a case where the holding time zone OP is displayed on the time table T as a bar (Bar, timeline). However, the display format of the holding time zone OP is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 4, and there are various display formats such as displaying the start time and the end time directly or displaying them in a pie chart. Conceivable. That is, the display format of the holding time zone OP may be any format as long as the user can grasp from what time to what time the holding time zone of the event is.

  The display format of the holding time zone OP shown in FIG. 4 will be specifically described as follows. That is, the bar B is displayed along the time axis (horizontal axis) direction in the time table T in the display video M2 shown in FIG. In this bar B, the holding time zone OP and the non-holding time zone CL other than the holding time zone OP are included in mutually different forms (for example, color, pattern, shape, brightness, filling, etc.). Therefore, the user can visually distinguish between the holding time zone OP and the non-holding time zone CL on the bar B. It should be noted that the display format of the holding time zone that is easy for the user to understand intuitively is not limited to the display format such as the bar B. For example, it may be displayed as a pie chart as described above. It is done.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the movement time calculation unit 340, when there is an event for which an execution time zone has already been set and another event is newly selected by the event selection unit, Based on the position information with the selected event, the “movement time length” predicted to be necessary between the points of both events is calculated. Then, the travel time calculation unit 340 outputs the travel time length to the display control unit 332 and the time consistency determination unit 352, and outputs event information of the newly selected event to the execution time setting unit 351. The travel time calculation unit 340 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11 and the like after the execution time setting unit 351 has been described.

  The execution time setting unit 351 sets the execution time zone of the event selected by the event selection unit 333. At this time, the execution time setting unit 351 executes the execution time zone based on the “execution time setting information” for temporarily setting the execution time zone, which is output from the travel plan creation request transmission unit 210 of the travel plan request terminal 200. Set. The execution time setting information is also output from the travel plan creation request transmission unit 210 according to the user's operation.

  More specifically, the setting of the execution time zone by the execution time setting unit 351 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, for example, the user who has selected the event icon I whose execution time zone is to be set from the event list column L, drags this icon and displays the time as shown by the arrow A2. Drop to a desired location on the table (ie, representing a desired time zone). Then, the travel plan creation request transmission unit 210 sets the time zone or the time according to the position of the icon I while the icon I is being dragged and moved according to the user's operation. Will continue to output. Then, the travel plan creation request transmitting unit 210 executes time setting information (here, “temporary execution” for temporarily setting the execution time zone for the time zone or the time when the icon I is dropped according to the user's operation. It is also referred to as “time setting information”. Then, the execution time setting unit 351 that has received the execution time setting information corresponding to the position where the icon I is dropped sets the execution time zone of the event to the time zone or time indicated in the execution time setting information. When the execution time setting information represents time, the execution time setting unit 351 temporarily sets the execution time zone based on this time and the execution time length indicated in the initially set execution time length information. To do. Then, the execution time setting unit 351 outputs “execution time information” representing the set execution time zone to the movement time calculation unit 340, the time consistency determination unit 352, and the execution time adjustment unit 353, where the execution time is The event information of the event whose band is temporarily set is output to the time consistency determination unit 352 and the execution time adjustment unit 353. The execution time setting unit 351 continues to be output from the travel plan creation request transmission unit 210 while the icon I is being dragged and moved, and temporarily executes the time zone or time according to the position of the icon I. The time setting information is sequentially output to the travel time calculation unit 340.

  The execution time zone of the event for which the execution time zone is set by the execution time setting unit 351 is displayed on the time table T by the display control unit 332 in the boxes IB1 and IB2 (Box) as shown in FIGS. Display in form. In the boxes IB1 and IB2, the width in the direction of the time axis (horizontal) corresponds to the default execution time length represented in the execution time length information. That is, in box IB1, the left end in the time axis direction corresponds to the execution start time, and the right end in the time axis direction corresponds to the execution end time. The box IB1 may include an icon I of the event and other event information so that the box IB1 can be distinguished from other events. The display format of the execution time zone of each event is not limited to the box format. As the display format of the event execution time zone, for example, various display formats such as directly displaying the execution start time and the execution end time, or displaying in a partial area (such as a sector) on the pie chart are conceivable. That is, the display format of the holding time zone OP may be any format as long as the user can grasp from what time to what time the holding time zone of the event is (see the following box) The same applies to the format display.) However, the display control unit 332 displays the execution time zone in a format that is easy to understand intuitively, such as the box IB1, in the same manner as the display format of the holding time zone described above, thereby enabling the user to create a travel plan. Labor can be reduced.

  FIG. 4 shows a display image M2 displayed on the display screen when the event execution time zone has not yet been set (that is, no box is displayed on the time table T). On the other hand, FIG. 5 shows a display image M1 when the execution time zone of one event is already set and the box IB2 representing the event is displayed on the time table T. FIG. 5 also shows a case where another event different from the box IB2 is newly selected by the event selection unit 333. In FIG. 6, from the state shown in FIG. 5, the execution time setting unit 351 temporarily sets the execution time zone of a new event through the above-described operation, and the box IB1 corresponding to the event is newly displayed. A time table T is shown. In the process of newly setting the execution time zone, as described above, the temporary execution time setting information corresponding to the position of the icon I is transmitted by the travel plan creation request transmission unit 210, and the travel time calculation unit 340 Get temporary execution time setting information.

(About travel time calculation unit 340)
Here, the travel time calculation unit 340 will be described in more detail.
As described above, the travel time calculation unit 340 is selected as an already set event when there is an event for which an execution time zone has already been set and another event is newly selected by the event selection unit. Based on the position information with the event, the “movement time length” predicted to be necessary for movement between the points where both events are executed is calculated. FIG. 5 shows an example where there is an event for which the execution time zone has already been set, and another event is newly selected by the event selection unit. In this case, the travel time calculation unit 340 acquires temporary execution time setting information for a new event. The travel time calculation unit 340 exists before and after the new event on the time axis based on the temporary execution time setting information and the execution time information representing the execution time zone of the preset event. Identify existing events that have been set. Furthermore, the travel time calculation unit 340 is required to move between the new event and the previous event or the subsequent event based on the position information of the new event and the position information of the previous and subsequent events. Calculate the estimated approximate travel time length. Then, the travel time calculation unit 340 outputs “predicted travel time information” representing the calculated travel time length to the display control unit 332 and the time consistency determination unit 352. The travel time calculation process by the travel time calculation unit 340 will be described in detail later.

  The display control unit 332 that has acquired the predicted travel time information displays the travel time length on the time table T. An example in which the travel time length is displayed in the time table T is shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, the length of the movement time TA1 in the time axis direction corresponds to the movement time length. In FIG. 5, the display control unit 332 displays one end part of the travel time TA1 representing the travel time length in contact with the already-set event box IB2. When the execution time setting unit 351 sets the execution time zone of the newly selected event, the display control unit 332 displays a box IB1 representing the newly set event as shown in FIG. Display on T. Further, the display control unit 332 maintains a state in which the travel time TA1 representing the travel time length is displayed between the previously set event box IB2 and the newly set event box IB1.

  5 and 6 show a case where only one event is already set, FIG. 11 shows a case where there are a plurality of events already set. As shown in FIG. 11, when a plurality of events (boxes IB2, IB3) are already set, the movement time calculation unit 340 sets the already set events before and after the newly selected event, as described above. (Boxes IB2 and IB3) are identified from the temporary execution time information. Then, the travel time calculation unit 340 calculates an approximate travel time length based on the position information of the newly selected event and the position information of the events already set before and after the event. The predicted travel time information representing the calculated travel time length is displayed on the time table by the display control unit 332 (travel time TA1, TA2).

  Therefore, the travel plan creation system 100 is expected to travel on the time table T on the display screen together with the event execution time zone that has already been set to move from the event to the newly selected event. Is displayed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the user can set the icon I of the newly selected event so as not to overlap the travel time TA1. That is, the user can set the execution time zone of each event to an arbitrary time zone, and at this time, can set the time zone in consideration of the movement time between the events. The display format of the movement time length is not limited to the bar shape illustrated in FIG. 11 and the like, but as shown in FIG. 11 and the like, the movement time length is represented by the length of the rod-shaped movement times TA1 and TA2. By representing, it is possible to notify the user in a format that is intuitively easy to understand.

(About travel time length calculation process)
As described above, the travel time calculation unit 340 identifies a preset event that exists before and after the new event, and the travel time length required between the preset event point and the new event point. Is calculated based on the position information of each event. This travel time calculation process will be described in more detail. In the following, for the sake of convenience of explanation, a case where the movement time calculation unit 340 calculates the movement time length between two event points will be described as an example. The travel time calculation unit 340 performs a travel time calculation process described below between a new event and events already set before and after the new event, thereby performing a plurality of necessary travels before and after the new event. It is possible to calculate the time length.

  In the travel time calculation process by the travel time calculation unit 340, a travel time function that calculates the distance between the two points based on the position information of the two event points and derives the travel time length from the distance. Is used to calculate the travel time length. At this time, the travel time calculation unit 340 uses, for example, “latitude information” and “longitude information” of each event as position information. Accordingly, it is not necessary to cause the other travel time search engine 500 to search for the travel time length, and the travel time length can be calculated. However, the position information is not limited to this example. For example, any position information may be used as long as the position information can calculate the distance between the two points, such as information indicating an address or another point. There may be.

  In order to perform the travel time length calculation, the travel time calculation unit 340 includes an area specifying unit 341, an area information storage unit 342, a travel time function selection unit 343, and a travel time function storage unit, as shown in FIG. 344, a travel time function setting unit 345, a straight line distance deriving unit 346, and a travel time deriving unit 347.

  The area specifying unit 341 acquires position information of each of the two events (may include other event information) and specifies in which area the point of each event is included based on the position information. To do. The concept of each event area is shown in FIG. FIG. 8 illustrates an area AR as a regional range in which the travel plan creation apparatus 300 can create a travel plan. The area AR is preferably divided into two or more areas AR1 and AR2. In addition, FIG. 8 illustrates a plurality of events E1 to E4 where event information (particularly position information) is recorded in the event information storage unit 321. That is, the events E1 to E4 are included in any of the areas AR1 and AR2. Therefore, the area specifying unit 341 specifies in which area the event for calculating the travel time length is included. Note that the areas AR1 and AR2 to be set are normally used, for example, in a region where a railway has been developed (for example, the area AR1) or a region where automobiles are often used as a means of transportation (for example, the area AR2). It is desirable to set different areas for each means of transportation. It is desirable that the area is further subdivided for each predetermined area.

  Then, the area specifying unit 341 specifies an area including the point of the event based on the position information of each event. Various modes can be considered for this identification method. For example, when an address is used as the position information, “area information” indicating which area the address corresponds to is recorded in the area information storage unit 342 in advance. And the area specific | specification part 341 specifies an area based on the area information and the address of an event. Of course, latitude information and longitude information can be used as position information. In this case as well, “area information” indicating which area the latitude information and longitude information correspond to is recorded in the area information storage unit 342. The area specifying unit 341 includes the area information, the latitude information, and the longitude information. The area is specified based on the information.

  Furthermore, for example, area information may be included in the event information itself. When the area information is included in the event information, the area specifying unit 341 specifies the area of each event by referring to the area information. Therefore, in this case, the area information storage unit 342 is not always necessary. However, as described above, the area is preferably set for each means of transportation in the area, and each event information can be registered in the event information storage unit 321 by the event information registration unit 322. Therefore, for example, when event information is acquired by polling another portal site, the area information is rarely included in the event information. Therefore, when the area information is included in the event information in this way, for example, the event information registration unit 322 desirably registers the event information after allocating an area based on the area information recorded in the area information storage unit 342.

  The movement time function selection unit 343 selects one or more “movement time functions” to be used when calculating the movement time length according to the area specified by the area specification unit 341. A plurality of different movement time functions are recorded in the movement time function storage unit 344, and the movement time function selection unit 343 selects one or more movement time functions from the movement time function storage unit 344. In addition, the travel time function setting unit 345 may record the travel time function acquired via the communication unit 310 or the travel time function directly created in the travel time function storage unit 344 to update or newly install the travel time function. Is possible. Of course, the travel time function setting unit 345 can record the travel time function desired by the user in the travel time function storage unit 344.

Here, the movement time function will be described.
The movement time function F is a function for deriving a movement time length t expected to be required for movement of the distance when the distance x is substituted. As described above, the movement time function F is selected according to the area specified by the area specifying unit 341. That is, each moving time function F is associated with an area. At this time, the travel time function F is set so that the travel time length t can be calculated according to the traffic situation in the associated area and the specification of the area.

  For example, when the movement in one area is mainly performed only on foot, it is considered that there is a proportional relationship between the movement distance x and the movement time length t in the movement in the one area. In this case, the movement time function F corresponding to the one area derives the movement time length t so that the distance x is proportional to the movement time length t. The movement time function F in this case is a function reflecting that movement within the area is performed at an average constant speed by walking.

  However, it is not always the area where simple movement is expected as in the case of walking alone. Therefore, the travel time function F according to the present embodiment calculates the travel time length t so that the increase amount (that is, the slope) of the travel time length t with respect to the distance x changes according to the substituted distance x. Thus, it is possible to reflect the traffic conditions and characteristics of the area in more detail. That is, for example, if the distance x is short, it moves on foot, so the time length required to move the unit distance x (increase in travel time length t) is long, but if the distance x is long, it moves by train or the like. Therefore, it is assumed that there is one area in which the time length required to move the unit distance x is short. In this area, as the distance x becomes longer, it is expected that the increase amount of the movement time length t with respect to the distance x will decrease. Therefore, the travel time function F according to the present embodiment derives the travel time length t so as to reflect the change in the increase amount of the travel time length t with respect to the distance x as illustrated, thereby making the actual travel time more It is possible to derive a movement time length t close to a long time.

  For example, if the above-mentioned one area is an urban area, the time required for transit between a walk and a train is short, and as the distance x increases, the increase in the travel time length t with respect to the distance x may decrease. (See FIG. 9, for example). On the other hand, for example, if the above-mentioned one area is a country where the transportation network is not developed, for example, the number of trains is small, and therefore, the increase in the travel time length t only decreases as the distance x increases. In addition, it is conceivable that the increase amount increases in a section of a certain distance x (for example, see FIG. 20). In contrast to these examples, depending on the characteristics of the traffic conditions in the area, etc., the amount of increase in travel time length t may increase as the distance x increases, or the amount of increase may decrease only in some sections. Conceivable. Furthermore, the increase in the travel time length t may be irregularly increased or decreased according to the distance x due to various traffic conditions. Therefore, the travel time function F according to the present embodiment is set so that the travel time length t can be derived reflecting the characteristics of the area as exemplified here.

  Therefore, in the travel time function F, for example, the distance x may be divided into a plurality of sections, and different increments of the travel time length t may be set for each section (of course, sections in which the increment is the same). May be present.) Further, it is of course possible to set the movement time function F so that the increase amount of the movement time length t continuously changes with respect to the change of the distance x without being divided into sections as described above. .

  That is, by setting the movement time function F in which the increase amount of the movement time length t varies according to the distance x, not only the case exemplified here but also characteristics of various areas and the like can be set in the movement time function F. It is possible to reflect. However, for convenience of explanation, in the following, the function for deriving the travel time length t so that the increase in the travel time length t with respect to the distance x decreases as the distance x to be substituted becomes longer. The case where it is is demonstrated. Of course, there may be an area where the other moving time function F is more suitable, but the moving time function F set in this way makes the characteristics of each area more accurate than the other moving time functions F. The possibility that it can be reflected in is high. An example of the travel time function F is shown in FIG. 9 and will be described in more detail.

(Example of travel time function F)
FIG. 9 shows a travel time function F1 as an example of a plurality of travel time functions Fi (subscript i is a number for identifying the function, i = 1, 2, 3,...). As shown in FIG. 9, this travel time function F1 is a function (graph) that returns the travel time length t when the distance x is substituted, and its slope (that is, the amount of increase in the travel time length t with respect to the distance x). ) Is set to decrease as the distance x increases. Note that FIG. 9 shows a case in which different linear profiles are provided for each range of values of the distance x, that is, a case of a function like the following formula 1 in which the number of first-order numbers is connected. Then, the slope (1 / kij) of each linear function decreases as the distance x increases in the positive range as shown in Equation 2 below. However, the moving time function F does not need to be a concatenation of linear functions, and may be a function having a similar profile, for example, the square root of the distance x.

The travel time function F having such a profile in which the inclination decreases does not necessarily reflect the actual accurate travel time length, but reflects the identification of the means of transportation and the actual travel. It is possible to derive a travel time length very close to the time length.
That is, for example, when traveling on a railroad, if the distance is short, the time required for purchasing a ticket, passing through a ticket gate, moving to a home, etc. accounts for a large proportion of the travel time length. Therefore, if the distance is short, the travel time length required for the change in the distance x becomes long. On the other hand, if the distance is long, the proportion of such time is small, and therefore the travel time length required for the change in the distance x is relatively short.
In addition, for example, in the case of a railway, if a short distance is used, a normal railway is used; if the distance is long, a limited express is used; If so, there is a high possibility of passing on expressways and toll roads. Also in this case, if the distance is short, the increase in the movement time length per unit distance is large, and if the distance is long, the increase in the movement time length per unit distance is suppressed to a small value.
Furthermore, as the moving distance x becomes longer, it is considered that the transportation means to be used is a transportation means having a smaller traveling time length per unit distance, such as a bicycle, an automobile, a railroad, an airplane, etc. from walking. It is done.
On the other hand, if the travel time function F is a short distance, an increase amount of the travel time length is set large, and the increase amount is decreased and set as the distance becomes long, so that such actual traffic is set. It is possible to derive a more accurate travel time length reflecting the travel time length by the means.

Therefore, the travel time function F can calculate a travel time length that more accurately reflects the characteristics of an actual transportation means, an area, etc., compared to a case where the distance is simply divided by a speed. . In other words, for example, when the distance is simply divided by the speed, the calculation result does not include actual traffic conditions as exemplified below, and an accurate and valid travel time length can be calculated. difficult.
1) When using multiple modes of transportation 2) For railroads, the number of routes and stops, types of railways such as express, limited express, and ordinary 3) Roads (roads, general roads, highways, etc.) and roads where vehicles pass Congestion and road conditions (city areas, farm roads, etc.)
4) Waiting time for airplanes, bullet trains, etc. 5) Areas that cannot be moved by a straight distance (when a mountain is sandwiched)
However, as described above, the travel time calculation function sets the above profile and constants (kij, mij, etc.) in consideration of these conditions and situations, so that the actual transportation means and area characteristics can be obtained. It is possible to calculate the included travel time length. As described above, the travel time length t is derived so that the increase amount of the travel time length t changes according to the distance x, reflecting not only the dynamic time function F exemplified here but also area characteristics and the like. It goes without saying that the movement time length including the actual area characteristics and the like can be similarly calculated with other movement time functions F.

  As described above, a plurality of movement time functions F having a profile in which the movement time length t changes are recorded in the movement time function storage unit 344 as described above. Of these, three different movement time functions F1 to F3 are illustrated in FIG. The travel time functions F1 to F3 have a profile as described above, that is, a profile in which the increase amount of the travel time length t decreases as the distance x increases (not limited to such a profile). . For example, the travel time function F1 is set such that the increase amount of the travel time length t with respect to the distance x is set to be larger than the travel time functions F2 and F3, and the travel time length F2 is set to the travel time length F3. This amount of decrease is also set to be larger than that of. In other words, if the travel time functions F1 to F3 are represented by smooth curves, the second derivative with respect to the distance x is expressed by the travel time function F1, the travel time function F2, and the travel time function F3 in descending order. Become. In other words, while the distance x is small, the gradients of the movement time functions F1 to F3 are set in the order of the movement time function F1, the movement time function F2, and the movement time function F3. On the other hand, when the distance x increases, the slope becomes the magnitude of the order of the movement time function F3, the movement time function F2, and the movement time function F1. This is because the travel time function F1 has a larger travel time length t derived for a given distance x if it is a short distance than the other travel time functions F2 and F3, while it is constant if it is a long distance. This means that the travel time length t derived for the distance x becomes smaller. Such characteristics can be said to be the same in the movement time function F2 as compared with the movement time function F3.

  If the movement time functions F1 to F3 of such profiles are conceptually illustrated, for example, the movement time function F1 corresponds to movement by an airplane, and the movement time function F2 corresponds to movement by a railway. It can be said that the time function F3 corresponds to movement by car. Of course, it is also possible to set a travel time function according to other transportation means such as walking, bicycle, and ship. As described above, even with one travel time function, it is possible to derive the travel time length t according to the transportation means. In this way, the plurality of travel time functions F1 to F3 further depend on the transportation means described above. It is possible to reflect the characteristic with respect to the movement time length t. That is, in the case of an airplane (movement time function F1), a long movement time length t is necessary at a short distance, whereas a short movement time length t is sufficient at a long distance. In the case of a railway (travel time length F2), the same can be said compared to a car (travel time length F3). The identification of such means of transportation is reflected in each travel time function F.

  Then, the travel time function selection unit 343 selects this travel time function according to the area including the event point for calculating the travel time length. In this case, the movement time function F recorded in the movement time function storage unit 344 is associated with each area or between areas (that is, two areas), and the movement time function selection unit 343 is an area specifying unit. The movement time function F associated with the area or the like identified by 341 is selected.

An example of selection by the moving time function selection unit 343 will be described with reference to FIG. 8 again.
For example, as shown in FIG. 8, it is assumed that the area AR1 is an area where the railway network has been developed, and the area AR2 is an area where it is difficult to use transportation means other than cars. In this case, the area AR1 is associated with a travel time function F2 reflecting the characteristics of the railway, and the area AR2 is associated with a travel time function F3 reflecting the characteristics of the car. On the other hand, it is assumed that the area AR1 and the area AR2 are very far away, and generally an airplane is often used for movement between them. In this case, the movement between the areas AR1 and AR2 is associated with a movement time function F1 reflecting the characteristics of the airplane.

  For example, when the two events for calculating the travel time length are the events E1 and E2, that is, when the travel time length of the route RT1 is calculated, the area specifying unit 341 selects both areas of the events E1 and E2. To the area AR1. Then, the movement time function selection unit 343 selects the movement time function F2 associated with the area AR1. On the other hand, when the two events for calculating the travel time length are the events E1 and E3, that is, when the travel time length of the route RT2 is calculated, the area specifying unit 341 specifies the area of the event E1 as the area AR1. The area of event E2 is specified as area AR2. Then, the movement time function selection unit 343 selects both of the areas AR1 and AR2, that is, the movement time function F1 associated with the movement between the areas AR1 and AR2.

  Thus, the movement time function F2 (movement time function F3 in the case of the area AR2) selected when moving in the area is also referred to as “intra-area movement time function”. On the other hand, the movement time function F1 selected when moving between areas is also referred to as “inter-area movement time function”.

  The inter-area travel time function is, for example, as in the travel time function F1 (airplane), than the travel time function F2 (railway) or the travel time function F3 (car) as the intra-area travel time function. It is set such that the amount of decrease (double differentiation) with respect to the distance x in the amount of increase in the movement time length t is large.

  By selecting the travel time function F reflecting the movement between areas or areas as described above, the travel time calculation unit 340 further reflects the actual transportation, timetable, regional infrastructure, etc. The time length t can be calculated.

  The straight line distance deriving unit 346 is an example of a distance deriving unit, and derives a straight line distance between the points of the two events based on the position information of the two events (that is, points) for calculating the moving time length. Various methods can be used for this distance deriving method. At this time, the linear distance deriving unit 346 can use position information such as an address as the position information, but here, a case where latitude information and longitude information are used will be described.

  For example, the linear distance deriving unit 346 uses the latitude information la and the longitude information lo to calculate the provisional distance X based on the following formula 3, and then calculates the approximate linear distance x based on the following formula 4. Is calculated.

  In the above formulas 3 and 4, la1 and la2 represent the latitudes of the departure point and the destination point, respectively, and lo1 and lo2 represent the longitudes of the departure point and the destination point, respectively. Y represents a distance corresponding to a latitude of 1 degree at that point (for example, Y = 142.9 km in Tokyo). The distance Y per unit latitude may be set as appropriate, for example, by a signal received from the travel plan request terminal 200, or may be set as appropriate based on the location information of the event for calculating the travel time length. May be.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the linear distance deriving unit 346 derives a linear distance between two points is described, but the distance derived here is not necessarily a linear distance. For example, the straight line distance deriving unit 346 has map information, and it is also possible to calculate the distance between two points reflecting an actual road / track / air route / route according to the map information. However, a moving time function is used as a first approximation for the moving time length t finally calculated. Although it is possible for the travel time function to derive a more accurate travel time length t reflecting the actual area and the means of transportation, approximation has already been performed. Therefore, rather than consuming a great deal of time and processing capacity for accurate distance calculation, deriving the straight line distance through the simple distance calculation process as described above improves user convenience and improves usability. It is desirable also to mean.

  The travel time deriving unit 347 derives the travel time length t between two event points by substituting the distance x derived by the straight line distance deriving unit 346 into the travel time function F selected by the travel time function selecting unit 343. To do.

  In this way, the travel time calculation unit 340 can calculate a travel time length that is close to reality according to the characteristics of the actual transportation means and area without causing the travel time search engine 500 or the like to search for an accurate travel time length. Is possible. The calculation of the travel time length can be executed very easily and quickly as compared with the actual travel time length search according to the actual means of transportation by the travel time search engine 500. Therefore, for example, even when the event for calculating the travel time length is changed, the travel time calculation unit 340 can quickly calculate the travel time.

  Referring back to FIG. 1, the description returns to another configuration of the travel plan creation device 300.

  The time consistency determination unit 352 is an example of a determination unit, and the execution time zone is set based on the execution time information representing the execution time zone and the predicted travel time information representing the approximate travel time length. Determine whether it is possible. That is, for example, the time consistency determination unit 352 compares the time interval between the execution time zones of two temporally continuous events with the travel time length represented in the predicted travel time information, and the time interval is If it is less than the movement time length, it is determined that the execution time zone cannot be set, and if the time interval is equal to or longer than the movement time length, it is determined that the execution time zone can be set. Then, the determination result and the execution time information are output to the display control unit 332.

  The display control unit 332 that has received the determination result displays the determination result and the execution time information on the display screen. 11 and 12 show an example of the determination result displayed on the display screen. 11 shows a case where the temporal consistency determination unit 352 determines that the temporarily set execution time zone can be set, and FIG. 12 shows a case where it is determined that setting is impossible.

  As shown in FIG. 11, when it is determined that the temporarily set execution time zone can be set, the display control unit 332 displays on the time table T a box IB1 representing an event corresponding to the execution time zone. Display.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, when it is determined that the temporarily set execution time zone cannot be set, the display control unit 332 displays an event corresponding to the execution time zone in the box IB1 ( And a warning display (hereinafter also referred to as “alarm”) for notifying that the execution time zone cannot be set. In FIG. 12, the display control unit 332 displays the box IB1 in a form different from that in FIG. 11 (for example, color, pattern, shape, brightness, fill, etc.), such as changing the color in the box IB1. The case where an alarm is displayed is shown. As this alarm, for example, the display control unit 332 can perform a predetermined warning display in the message field ME in FIG. 4, and can also output a warning sound. This alarm is not limited to the example given here, and may be various warning displays that can notify the user that the execution time zone cannot be set.

  Further, the time consistency determination unit 352 further confirms whether or not the execution time zone represented by the temporarily set execution time information is included in the holding time zone based on the holding time information of each event. It is also possible to determine whether or not the execution time zone can be set. That is, the time consistency determination unit 352 determines that the execution time zone can be set when the execution time zone of each event includes the execution time zone of the event, and the execution time zone of each event If the event execution time zone is not included, it is determined that the execution time zone cannot be set. This determination result is also output to the display control unit 332. If the setting is possible, the display control unit 332 displays the newly set event in a box format as shown in FIG. 11, and if the setting is not possible, the display control unit 332 is shown in FIG. As shown, the alarm is displayed at the same time as the box.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11 and the like, the time consistency determination unit 352 further uses the execution time information of the event to set a new time when the execution time zone of another event has already been set. It is checked whether the execution time zone of the event set in is overlapped with the already set event execution time zone, and it is determined whether the execution time zone can be set It is also possible to do. That is, the time consistency determination unit 352 can also determine that the newly set event execution time zone cannot be set when the execution time zones of both events overlap. However, since the time consistency determination unit 352 has already performed the determination based on the movement time length, it is needless to say that the time consistency determination unit 352 is unlikely to occur when the execution time zones of a plurality of events overlap. This determination result is also displayed by the display control unit 332 by an alarm as described above.

  Therefore, the time consistency determination unit 352 can determine whether or not the execution time zone can actually be set. For example, the display control unit 332 determines that the determination result cannot be set. Can output an alarm. Therefore, when a travel plan that cannot actually be realized is about to be created, it is possible to notify the user to that effect. Therefore, it is possible to notify the user as to whether or not the execution time zone of each event is set in a state where the travel time is appropriately secured.

  When the determination result by the time consistency determination unit 352 indicates that “the execution time zone cannot be set”, the execution time setting unit 351 outputs from the travel plan request terminal 200 according to the user's operation. Based on the “execution time setting information”, the execution time zone is set again. Further, the execution time setting unit 351 can automatically set the execution time zone again so that it can be set based on the holding time information or the like without depending on the “execution time setting information”. . When the execution time zones of two events overlap each other and the execution time zone is automatically reset, the execution time setting unit 351 executes the event with the higher priority according to the priority information of each event. It is also possible to set the execution time zone again so that the time zone becomes longer and the execution time zones do not overlap each other.

  As described above, the execution time setting unit 351 checks the execution time of each event while confirming whether or not a time interval longer than the travel time length is secured between the events by the time consistency determination unit 352. The band can be set flexibly. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly set the execution start time and end time of each event while ensuring the minimum necessary travel time.

  The execution time adjustment unit 353 adjusts the event execution time zone set by the execution time setting unit 351. At this time, the execution time adjustment unit 353 sets the execution time zone based on the “execution time setting information” output from the travel plan creation request transmission unit 210 of the travel plan request terminal 200 for adjusting the execution time zone. Set. The execution time setting information is also output from the travel plan creation request transmission unit 210 according to the user's operation.

  More specifically, the adjustment of the execution time zone by the execution time adjustment unit 353 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 13 shows a case where the execution time adjustment unit 353 moves the execution time zone (box IB1), and FIG. 14 shows a case where the execution time adjustment unit 353 changes the length of the execution time zone. Yes.

  As described above, the display control unit 332 displays the execution time zones of the events as boxes IB1 and IB2, as shown in FIG. 12, for example. The user refers to this time table T, drags the box (for example, box IB1) of the event whose movement time zone is to be moved, and moves it to the position corresponding to the movement destination time as shown by the arrow A3 in FIG. Drop this box. Then, the travel plan creation request transmission unit 210 outputs execution time setting information corresponding to the time of the destination. Then, the execution time adjustment unit 353 adjusts the execution time zone of the event based on the execution time setting information.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, each box IB1, IB2 in the time table T displayed on the display screen by the display control unit 332 has buttons P1, P2 for adjusting the execution time length. Yes. The button P1 is a button for changing the start time of the execution time zone, and the button P2 is a button for changing the end time of the execution time zone. The user refers to the time table T, drags a button (for example, button P1) of an event box (for example, IB1) whose length of the execution time zone is to be adjusted, and, as shown by an arrow A4 in FIG. Drop at a position where the execution time length is reached. Then, the travel plan creation request transmission unit 210 outputs execution time setting information corresponding to the changed execution start time or execution end time. Then, the execution time adjustment unit 353 adjusts the execution time zone of the event based on the execution time setting information as described above.

  Note that the execution time information representing the execution time zone adjusted by the execution time adjustment unit 353 is output to the time consistency determination unit 352 again. Then, the time consistency determination unit 352 determines whether or not the adjusted execution time zone can be set. The determination by the time consistency determination unit 352 is performed in the same manner as described above, and the determination result is displayed on the display screen by the display control unit 332 as described above as described with reference to FIGS.

  Therefore, the execution time adjustment unit 353 can adjust the execution time zone, and the time consistency determination unit 352 also determines whether or not the adjusted execution time zone can be executed. Can do. Therefore, the user can adjust the execution time zone of each event without determining whether or not the adjusted execution time zone can be set.

  The travel time setting unit 354 sets a travel time zone in which it is possible to actually move between a plurality of events for which execution time zones are set on the time table T representing the travel plan. In the setting of the travel time zone by the travel time setting unit 354, a plurality of events to be included in the travel plan are selected by the event selection unit 333, and the execution time zone is set by the execution time setting unit 351 for those events. Done later. The selection of the plurality of events and the setting of the execution time zones thereof may be performed again. However, the setting of the movement time zone by the movement time setting unit 354 is the selection of the events and the setting of the execution time zones thereof. It is preferable to be performed once the process is completed.

  The setting of the travel time zone by the travel time setting unit 354 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display image displayed on the display screen by the travel plan creation system according to the present embodiment.

  First, when the selection of a plurality of events by the event selection unit 333 and the setting of the execution time zone of those events by the execution time setting unit 351 are completed, the display control unit 332 displays a display video M3 as illustrated in FIG. Display on the display screen. Note that once the selection of the event and the setting of the execution time are completed, for example, a confirmation signal transmitted by the travel plan creation request transmission unit 210 when the user presses the confirmation button K1 shown in FIG. 300 is determined by acquiring.

  Then, the display control unit 332 displays the display video M3. In the time table T in the display video M3, boxes IB1, IB2, and IB3 representing the execution time zones of the respective events are displayed. Then, instead of the travel times TA1 and TA2 shown in FIG. 14, travel time icons TB1 and TB2 indicating that a travel time zone is set are displayed between the boxes. When at least one of the travel time icons TB1 and TB2 is pressed by the user, the travel plan creation request transmission unit 210 outputs a signal indicating “which event travel time is to be set” and sets the travel time. The unit 354 acquires this signal. FIG. 15 illustrates a case where the travel time icon TB1 is pressed by the user.

  Then, the travel time setting unit 354 outputs the event position information represented in the signal and the set execution time information to the travel time search engine 500 via the network 400. Then, as described above, the travel time search engine 500 searches for information on transportation means, determines one or more routes, and can move between events based on actual transportation means in each route. The possible travel time information that represents the travel time zone is calculated. Then, the travel time setting unit 354 acquires the one or more possible travel time information and outputs the acquired travel time information to the display control unit 332. The display control unit 332 that has acquired the possible travel time information displays the possible travel time information in the route display column R in the display video M3 as shown in FIG.

  The user who refers to the possible travel time information displayed in the route display column R selects a desired route from one or more routes. Then, in response to this operation, the travel plan creation request transmission unit 210 outputs “route setting information”. The travel time setting unit 354 acquires this route setting information. Then, the travel time setting unit 354 sets the travel time zone indicated in the possible travel time information corresponding to the route based on the route setting information. The movement time setting unit 354 can set a movement time zone between each event by repeating this operation.

  The possible travel time information selected and set by the travel time setting unit 354 is output to the time consistency determination unit 352. And the time consistency determination part 352 determines whether the execution time zone of each event can be set based on this possible travel time information. That is, the time consistency determination unit 352 confirms whether the travel time zone represented in the set possible travel time information and the execution time zone of each event are not superimposed. Then, when both time zones overlap, the time consistency determination unit 352 determines that the overlapping execution time zone cannot be set. Then, the determination result that the setting is impossible is displayed on the display screen as an alarm, for example, by the display control unit 332 as described above with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. Furthermore, when it is determined that the execution time zone cannot be set, the execution time setting unit 351 may reset the execution time zone again as described above.

  The configuration of the travel plan creation system according to the present embodiment has been described above. Next, the operation of the travel plan creation system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

<Example of operation of travel plan creation system according to first embodiment>
16 to 18 are explanatory diagrams for explaining an example of the operation of the travel plan creation system according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 16, first, creation start information is output from the travel plan request terminal 200 in response to a user operation, and the travel plan creation apparatus 300 that has acquired the creation start information processes step S01.

  In step S01, the event list creation unit 331 acquires event information set for the region and period based on the region information and period information included in the creation start information. Then, the process proceeds to step S03.

  In step S03, the event list creation unit 331 creates an event list as shown in the event list column L of FIGS. 4 and 5 based on a user operation (particularly event selection information). Then, the process proceeds to step S05.

  In step S05, the display control unit 332 displays the event list created by the event list creation unit 331 on the display screen together with the time table T (see FIGS. 4 and 5). Then, the process proceeds to step S07.

  In step S07 (event selection step), the event selection unit 333 selects one event included in the event list in accordance with a user operation (particularly event selection information). Then, the process proceeds to step S11.

  In step S11, the movement time calculation unit 340 performs temporary execution time information corresponding to the user's operation (information indicating a time zone or time corresponding to the position where the icon I is moving as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). ) To get. The acquisition of the temporary execution time information can be continued until step S23 described later. Then, the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13, the travel time calculation unit 340 checks whether there is an event for which an execution time zone has already been set. If there is no preset event, the process proceeds to step S21, and if there is a preset event, the process proceeds to step S15.

  In step S15, the travel time calculation unit 340 first identifies other events that are already set before and after the newly selected event based on the temporary execution time information. Then, the travel time calculation unit 340 calculates a travel time length that is predicted to be required to travel between the events based on the position information between the newly selected event and the identified event (travel time length calculation process). ). Then, the process proceeds to step S17.

  Before describing step S17, the movement time length calculation process in step S15 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

  As the movement time length calculation process in step S15, steps S151 to S157 are processed as shown in FIG. In step S151, which is processed first, the area specifying unit 341 specifies an area including a point of the event based on position information between the newly selected event and the specified event. Then, the process proceeds to step S153.

  In step S153, the movement time function selection unit 343 selects and acquires the movement time function corresponding to the area specified in step S153 from the movement time function storage unit 344. Then, the process proceeds to step S155.

  In step S155, the straight line distance deriving unit 346 derives a straight line distance between the event points based on the position information between the newly selected event and the identified event. Then, the process proceeds to step S157.

  In step S157, the travel time deriving unit 347 calculates the travel time length by substituting the distance derived in step S155 for the travel time function selected in step S153. And this movement time length calculation process is complete | finished and progresses to step S17.

  In step S17 (travel time display step), the display control unit 332 displays the predicted travel time length calculated by the travel time calculation unit 340 on the display screen (travel times TA1, TA2 in FIGS. 5 to 14). Etc.) Then, the process proceeds to step S21.

  In step S21, the display control unit 332 displays the holding time zone of the event selected by the event selecting unit 333 on the display screen (see the holding time zone OP in FIG. 4). Then, the process proceeds to step S23.

  In step S23 (execution time setting step, execution time resetting step), the execution time setting unit 351 temporarily sets the execution time zone of the event selected in step S07 based on a user operation (particularly, execution time setting information). Set. Then, the process proceeds to step S25.

  In step S13 (first determination step, second determination step), the time consistency determination unit 352 determines whether or not the execution time zone temporarily set (or adjusted) in step S23 (or step S32) can be set. Is determined. At this time, the time consistency determination unit 352 has a time interval between the temporarily set execution time zone of the newly selected event and the execution time zone of the event already set before and after the event, It is determined whether or not the travel time length is exceeded. Then, when the time interval is less than the movement time length, the time consistency determination unit 352 determines that the temporarily set execution time zone cannot be set, and when the time interval is equal to or longer than the movement time length, the temporary setting is performed. The determined execution time zone is determined to be settable. At this time, the time consistency determination unit 352 also determines whether or not the temporarily set execution time zone is included in the holding time zone (holding time zone OP). Then, when the execution time zone is not included in the holding time zone, the time consistency determination unit 352 determines that the temporarily set execution time zone cannot be set, and the execution time zone is included in the holding time zone. In this case, it is determined that the temporarily set execution time zone can be set. Furthermore, at this time, the time consistency determination unit 352 may also determine whether or not the temporarily set execution time zone does not overlap with the already set execution time zone. In this case, when both overlap, it is determined that the temporarily set execution time zone cannot be set, and when both do not overlap, it is determined that the temporarily set execution time zone can be set. If it is determined that the temporarily set execution time zone can be set, the process proceeds to step S29. If it is determined that the execution time zone cannot be set, the process proceeds to step S27. In step S27, the display control unit 332 is set. Outputs warning information. Then, the process proceeds to step S29.

  In step S29 (determination result display step), the display control unit 332 displays the execution time zone set in step S23 on the display screen (see FIGS. 6 to 13). At this time, if step S27 is processed, an alarm is displayed on the display screen together with the execution time zone (see FIG. 12). Then, the process proceeds to step S31.

  In step S31, the execution time adjustment unit 353 determines whether or not the execution time zone set in step S23 needs to be adjusted. This determination may be performed based on a user operation (for example, execution time setting information) or may be performed based on the determination result in step S25 (for example, it is determined that the execution time zone cannot be set). If it is, you may decide that adjustment is necessary.) If it is determined that adjustment is necessary, the process proceeds to step S32. If adjustment is not necessary, the process proceeds to step S33.

  In step S32 (execution time adjustment step), the execution time adjustment unit 353 adjusts the execution time zone based on a user operation (for example, execution time setting information), and the processing from step S13 is performed again. That is, whether or not the execution time zone after adjustment by the execution time adjustment unit 353 can be set by the time consistency determination unit 352 is determined.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S31 that the adjustment of the execution time zone is unnecessary and the process proceeds to step S33, in step S33, the setting of other events and the setting and adjustment of the execution time zone are completed by the event selection unit 333. It is determined whether or not. When the event setting or the like is completed, the process proceeds to step S41 in FIG. 18, while when another event setting or the like is necessary, the processes after step S07 are repeated.

  In step S41, first, the display control unit 332 displays a time table T in which a plurality of events and execution time zones are set (for example, FIG. 15). Then, the travel time setting unit 354 acquires a signal indicating “which event travel time is to be set” that is output from the travel plan creation request transmission unit 210 in response to a user operation. Then, the travel time setting unit 354 selects the travel time length represented by this signal, that is, the predicted travel time information. Then, the process proceeds to step S43.

  In step S43, the travel time setting unit 354 causes the travel time search engine 500 connected via the network to search and calculate one or more possible travel time information, and acquires the possible travel time information. Then, the process proceeds to step S45.

  In step S45, first, the display control unit 332 displays the possible travel time information acquired by the travel time setting unit 354 (see the route display field R in FIG. 15). Then, the travel plan creation request transmission unit 210 outputs route selection information according to the user's operation referring to the route display column R, and the travel time setting unit 354 acquires the route selection information. The travel time setting unit 354 selects one route represented in the route selection information. Then, the process proceeds to step S47.

  In step S47, the travel time setting unit 354 sets the travel time zone (and transportation means) represented in the possible travel time information corresponding to the selected route. Then, the process proceeds to step S49.

  In step S49 (second determination step), whether or not the time consistency determination unit 352 can set the set execution time zone based on the possible travel time information representing the set travel time zone. Determine whether or not. At this time, the time consistency determination unit 352 checks whether or not the movement time zone and the execution time zone are superimposed. Then, if both time zones overlap, the time consistency determination unit 352 determines that the superimposed execution time zone cannot be set, and proceeds to step S51. On the other hand, if both time zones are not superimposed, the time consistency determining unit 352 determines that the superimposed execution time zone can be set, and proceeds to step S57.

  When there is an execution time zone superimposed on the movement time zone and the process proceeds to step S51 (determination result display step), the time consistency determination unit 352 outputs warning information to the display control unit 332, and the display control unit 332 , Display the alarm. As this alarm, for example, the alarm display shown in FIG. Then, the process proceeds to step S53.

  In step S <b> 53, the travel time setting unit 354 confirms whether or not route setting information for changing the route is output from the travel plan creation request transmission unit 210 in response to a user operation referring to the alarm display. And when route setting information is acquired, the process after step S45 is repeated. On the other hand, if route setting information is not acquired, the process proceeds to step S55.

  In step S55, the execution time setting unit 351 resets the execution time zone superimposed on the movement time zone based on a user operation (for example, execution time setting information) referring to the alarm display. Note that the execution time setting unit 351 may automatically reset the execution time zone so that the movement time zone and the execution time zone do not overlap without depending on the user operation. In this case, the execution time setting unit 351 may move the execution time zone, and may change the length of the execution time zone. In step S55, instead of resetting by the execution time setting unit 351, the execution time zone may be readjusted by the execution time adjusting unit 353 together with resetting. After the process of step S55, step S49 is processed again, and the time consistency determination unit 352 confirms whether or not the reset or readjusted execution time zone can be set.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S49 that the execution time zone can be set and the process proceeds to step S57, in this step S57, the movement time setting unit 354 newly sets “which event the movement time is set to. ”Is confirmed. That is, it is confirmed whether other predicted travel time information has been selected. Then, when other predicted travel time information is selected, the processing after step S43 is repeated again. On the other hand, when other predicted travel time information is not selected, particularly when travel time zones are set for all predicted travel time information, the process proceeds to step S59. In step S59, the display control unit 332 displays the completed travel plan on the display screen, and the travel plan creation operation ends.

<An example of the effect of the travel plan creation system according to the first embodiment>
The travel plan creation system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has been described above. An example of a travel plan created by the travel plan creation system 100 is shown in a time table T of FIG. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a travel plan created by the travel plan creation system according to the present embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 19, the travel plan creation system 100 creates a travel plan in which one or more events are arranged in a time series during a predetermined period. Between each event, travel time icons TC1 and TC2 representing the travel time zone are displayed. When the travel time icons TC1 and TC2 are pressed (selected), the travel plan creation system 100 It is possible to display the possible travel time information (travel time zone and transportation means) set in the display screen. That is, the travel plan creation system 100 can create a travel plan while securing a travel time zone between the execution time zones of each event.

  The travel plan creation system 100 can display the travel time length necessary for travel between events when setting the execution time zone of each event, and sets the execution time zone to a desired time zone. can do. Therefore, the user can set the execution time zone of each event to a desired time zone while considering the time interval that should be secured for the movement by referring to the movement time length. Since the travel plan creation system 100 determines whether the set execution time zone is actually executable, the travel plan creation system 100 can create an actually executable travel plan.

  In addition, the travel plan creation system 100 can set a travel time zone in which each user can actually move after once setting each execution time zone, and each execution time zone is actually set based on this travel time zone. It can be determined whether or not setting is possible. Therefore, the travel plan creation system 100 can create a travel plan that is actually executable.

  The travel time length displayed by the travel plan creation system 100 when the execution time zone is set, that is, the travel time length calculated by the travel time calculation unit 340 can be calculated from the distance between the event positions. It can be calculated easily and quickly without having to On the other hand, the travel time zone set to reflect the actual transportation means is calculated by searching for information on the transportation means, so that a slightly more complicated search and calculation is required compared to the travel time length. Further, since this travel time zone is acquired from the travel time search engine 500 via a network, for example, some time is required for the communication. Therefore, the travel plan creation system 100 calculates and displays a travel time length that is easy to calculate when the setting of the execution time zone is repeated or when an event included in the travel plan is changed. Then, the travel plan creation system 100 sets the travel time zone that reflects the actual means of transportation after the execution time zone is once set, but requires more time to calculate than the travel time length. Thereby, the travel plan creation system 100 can improve the operability for the user and facilitate the creation of the travel plan. Therefore, even when the event is changed or the execution time zone is changed, it is possible to promptly notify the user of the movement time length. In addition, the travel time length notified at this time is calculated by a travel time function that reflects the area of each event, the traffic situation of the area, etc., although it does not reflect the actual transportation means. Therefore, this moving time length is closer to the actual moving time length and is more accurate than when the average moving speed is obtained, for example. Therefore, the user can refer to the travel time length calculated quickly and accurately when selecting an event (that is, a point) or setting the execution time zone of the event, and the convenience of the user is greatly improved. . In addition, for example, it is possible to greatly improve the convenience for the user without using a weight charging system such as another travel time search engine.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described in detail, referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to this example. It is obvious that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can come up with various changes or modifications within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. Of course, it is understood that these also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the movement time length t is calculated by the movement time calculation unit 340 using the movement time function F. And in the said embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, as the substituted distance x becomes long, the moving time which derives the moving time length t so that the increase amount of the moving time length t with respect to the distance x decreases. The function F has been specifically described as an example. However, as described above, the travel time function F is not limited to such a profile function. That is, as described in detail above, the travel time function F reflects the actual traffic conditions, area characteristics, and the like, and the amount of increase in the travel time length t for the distance x according to the substituted distance x If the travel time length t is derived so that (inclination) changes, various profiles can be set. An example of the travel time function having such another profile is shown in FIG. The travel time function F4 shown in FIG. 20 is not limited to the increase in the travel time length t as the distance x simply increases like the travel time function F1 shown in FIG. In x13), the amount of increase in the movement time length t increases as the distance x increases (1 / k42 <1 / k43). The travel time function F4 shown in FIG. 20 corresponds to the distance x11 to x12 when the corresponding area moves for a distance x12 to x13 due to various circumstances such as a small number of trains or buses and poor connection. This reflects that more time is required for movement per unit distance x than for movement. As described above, the inter-movement function F can have various profiles reflecting actual traffic conditions, area characteristics, and the like.

  For example, in the above embodiment, when the travel time calculation unit 340 calculates the travel time length between areas, the travel time length is simply calculated by using the inter-area travel time function and the distance between event points. The case of calculating has been described. However, the travel time calculation unit 340 can calculate a more accurate travel time length by, for example, setting another event (point) between the events (points). An example in this case will be described with reference to FIG.

For example, in the above embodiment, when calculating the travel time length between the event E1 and the event E3 as shown in FIG. 21, the travel time function F1 corresponding to the route RT2 is used, and the travel time length is even calculated. become.
On the other hand, in this modified example, in this case, the movement time function selection unit 343 determines that the movement is between areas, and in the case of movement between areas, between the areas associated with the movement between the areas. In addition to the movement time function F1, the in-area movement time functions F2 and F3 associated with movement in the areas AR1 and AR2 are also selected.
On the other hand, the travel time deriving unit 347 sets new events E2 and E4 in each of the areas AR1 and AR2. These new events E2 and E4 mean visits to landmarks in the area. For example, stations (Tokyo Station and Shinjuku Station), highway interchanges, and airfields that are central for long-distance travel Etc.
Then, the travel time deriving unit 347 uses the intra-area travel time functions F2 and F3 in the respective areas AR1 and AR2, and uses the existing events E1 and E3 and new events in the areas AR1 and AR2. The travel time length between E2 and E4 is derived. That is, the movement time length of the movement from the event E1 to the event E2 (route RT1) is derived using the movement time function F2, and the movement time length of the movement from the event E4 to the event E3 (route RT4) is calculated as the movement time. Derived using the function F3 and the distance between the events (the distance of the route RT1 or the distance of the route RT4). Further, the travel time deriving unit 347 derives the travel time length between the areas AR1 and AR2 using the inter-area travel time function F1. That is, the movement time length of the movement from the event E2 to the event E4 (route RT3) is derived using the movement time function F1 and the distance between the new events E2 and E4 (distance of the route RT3).
Thereafter, the travel time deriving unit 347 adds the travel time lengths for the routes RT1, RT3, RT4 and derives the travel time length from the event E1 to the event E3.

  According to this modified example, when calculating the travel time length of the movement between areas, the travel time calculation unit 340 responds more finely to two or more transportation means expected to be used for the movement between the areas. Therefore, it is possible to easily calculate an accurate travel time length. Note that the processing amount is slightly increased as compared with the case where only the inter-area moving time function is used as in the above embodiment, but the increase is compared with the case where the moving time search engine 500 or the like is used. It will be much less.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the case where the travel plan finally produced | generated includes the movement time slot | zone according to an actual means of transportation, this invention is not limited to this example. That is, for example, a travel plan can be created based on the travel time length (expected travel time information) calculated by the travel time calculation unit 340. In this case, the travel time setting unit 354 and the travel time search engine 500 are not necessarily required. Even in this case, since the travel plan creation device 300 calculates the travel time length using the travel time function, it is possible to create a travel plan with high validity.

  In the above-described embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 16, the case has been described in which the execution time zone that is determined to be unsettable by the time consistency determination unit 352 in step S25 is also displayed in step S29. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, when it is determined in step S13 that setting is impossible, it is possible to make it impossible to set the execution time zone. In this case, for example, in FIG. 16, step S23 may be processed again after step S27.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the event list is once created by the event list creation unit 331 and then the travel plan is created has been described. This event list is created in order to prevent the displayed information from becoming complicated and improve the operability for the user. Therefore, it is not always necessary to create an event list once when creating a travel plan. In this case, for example, it is possible to create a travel plan by directly clicking and dropping the icons I of a plurality of events included in the display video M1 of FIG. Furthermore, in this case, the event list creation unit 331 is not necessarily required.

  In addition, the series of processes described in the above embodiments may be executed by dedicated hardware, but may be executed by software. When a series of processing is performed by software, the above-described series of processing can be realized by causing a general-purpose or dedicated computer as shown in FIG. 22 to execute the program.

  FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram for describing a configuration example of a computer that realizes a series of processes by executing a program. The execution of a program for performing a series of processes by a computer will be described as follows.

  As illustrated in FIG. 22, the computer includes, for example, a bus 601, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 602, a recording device, an input / output interface 606, a communication device 607, an input device 609, a drive 610, and an output Equipment and so on. These components are connected to each other via a bus 601 and an input / output interface 606 so as to be able to transmit information to each other.

  The program can be recorded in, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 603, ROM (Read Only Memory) 604, RAM (Random Access Memory) 605, which is an example of a recording device.

  The program is temporarily stored in a removable storage medium 611 such as a flexible disk, various optical discs such as CD (Compact Disc), MO (Magneto Optical) disc, and DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), magnetic disc, semiconductor memory, and the like. Or it can be recorded permanently. Such a removable storage medium 611 can also be provided as so-called package software. In this case, the program recorded in these removable storage media 611 may be read out by the drive 610 and recorded in the recording device via the input / output interface 606, the bus 601 and the like.

  Furthermore, the program can be recorded in, for example, a download site, another computer, another recording device, etc. (not shown). In this case, the program is transferred via a network 608 (network 400) such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet, and the communication device 607 receives the program. The program received by the communication device 607 may be recorded in the recording device via the input / output interface 606, the bus 601 and the like.

  Then, the CPU 602 executes various processes according to the program recorded in the recording device, thereby realizing the series of processes. At this time, for example, the CPU 602 may directly read and execute the program from the above-described recording apparatus, or may be executed after it is once loaded into the RAM 605. Furthermore, for example, when the program is received via the communication device 607 or the drive 610, the CPU 602 may directly execute the received program without recording it in the recording device.

  Furthermore, the CPU 602 may perform various processes based on signals and information input from the input device 609 such as a mouse, a keyboard, and a microphone (not shown), as necessary.

  Then, the CPU 602 may output the result of executing the above-described series of processing from an output device such as a display device 612 such as a monitor, an audio output device 613 such as a speaker or headphones, and the CPU 602 further Accordingly, the processing result may be transmitted from the communication device 607, or may be recorded in the recording device or the removable storage medium 611.

  In this specification, the steps described in the flowcharts are executed in parallel or individually even if they are not necessarily processed in time series, as well as processes performed in time series in the described order. Including processing to be performed. Further, it goes without saying that the order can be appropriately changed even in the steps processed in time series.

It is explanatory drawing explaining the structure of the travel plan creation system which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the event information which the travel plan creation system which concerns on the embodiment uses. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of the display image which the travel plan creation system which concerns on the embodiment displays on a display screen. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of the display image which the travel plan creation system which concerns on the embodiment displays on a display screen. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of the display image which the travel plan creation system which concerns on the embodiment displays on a display screen. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of the time table which the travel plan creation system which concerns on the embodiment displays on a display screen. It is explanatory drawing explaining the structure of the movement time calculation part which concerns on the same embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining area specification etc. by the movement time calculation part which concerns on the same embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the movement time calculation process by the movement time calculation part which concerns on the same embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the movement time calculation process by the movement time calculation part which concerns on the same embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of the time table which the travel plan creation system which concerns on the embodiment displays on a display screen. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of the time table which the travel plan creation system which concerns on the embodiment displays on a display screen. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of the time table which the travel plan creation system which concerns on the embodiment displays on a display screen. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of the time table which the travel plan creation system which concerns on the embodiment displays on a display screen. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of the display image which the travel plan creation system which concerns on the embodiment displays on a display screen. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of operation | movement of the travel plan creation system which concerns on the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of operation | movement of the travel plan creation system which concerns on the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of operation | movement of the travel plan creation system which concerns on the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of the travel plan created by the travel plan creation system which concerns on the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the example of a change of the movement time calculation process by the movement time calculation part which concerns on the same embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the example of a change of the movement time length calculation by the movement time calculation part which concerns on the same embodiment. And FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration example of a computer that realizes a series of processes by executing a program.

Explanation of symbols

100 travel plan creation system 200 travel plan request terminal 210 travel plan creation request transmission unit 220 travel plan reception unit 230 display unit 300 travel plan creation device 310 communication unit 321 event information storage unit 322 event information registration unit 331 event list creation unit 332 display Control unit 333 Event selection unit 340 Movement time calculation unit 341 Area specification unit 342 Area information storage unit 343 Movement time function selection unit 344 Movement time function storage unit 345 Movement time function setting unit 346 Linear distance deriving unit 347 Movement time deriving unit 351 Execution Time setting unit 352 Time consistency determination unit 353 Execution time adjustment unit 354 Travel time setting unit 400 Network 500 Travel time search engine A1, A2, A3, A4 Arrow B Bar CL Non-held time zone I Icon IB1, B2, IB3 box L event list field M1, M2, M3 display the video ME message field OP held time zone R root display column T time table TA1, TA2 travel time TB1, TB2 movement time icon TC1, TC2 travel time icon

Claims (9)

A position information storage unit in which a plurality of pieces of position information indicating the position of a predetermined point are recorded;
A point selection unit that selects two points where the position information is recorded in the position information storage unit;
A distance deriving unit for deriving a distance between the two points based on position information of the two points selected by the point selecting unit;
When the distance is substituted, the distance derived by the distance deriving unit is substituted into the movement time function for deriving the movement time length predicted to be required to move the distance, and the movement time length between the two points is calculated. A travel time deriving unit for deriving;
Have
The travel time calculation device, wherein the travel time function derives the travel time length so that an increase amount of the travel time length with respect to the distance changes according to the substituted distance.   The movement according to claim 1, wherein the movement time function derives the movement time length so that an increase amount of the movement time length with respect to the distance decreases as the substituted distance becomes longer. Time calculation device. A moving time function storage unit in which a plurality of different moving time functions are recorded;
Based on the position information, an area identifying unit that identifies an area including the point;
A moving time function selecting unit that selects one or more moving time functions from the plurality of moving time functions recorded in the moving time function storage unit according to the area specified by the area specifying unit;
Have
The movement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the movement time deriving unit derives a movement time length between the two points using the movement time function selected by the movement time function selecting unit. Time calculation device. The travel time function selector is
If the two points are included in the same area, select an in-area movement time function associated with movement in the area;
When the two points are included in different areas, at least an inter-area movement time function that is different from the intra-area movement time function and associated with movement between the areas is selected. 3. The travel time calculation device according to 3.   The travel time calculation device according to claim 4, wherein the inter-area travel time function is such that a decrease amount with respect to the distance in an increase amount of the travel time length with respect to the distance is larger than the intra-area travel time function. . When the two points are included in different areas, the movement time function selection unit is configured to move the intra-area movement time function associated with movement within each area and the movement within the area associated with movement between the areas. Select a time function and
The travel time deriving unit sets a new point in each of the areas, and uses the intra-area travel time function to move within the area between the two points and the new point in each area. 6. The travel time calculation apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a time length is derived, and an inter-area travel time length between the new points is derived using the inter-area travel time function. An execution time setting unit for setting an execution time zone for executing an event executed at each of the two points;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the execution time zone can be set based on the travel time length derived by the travel time deriving unit and the execution time zone set by the execution time setting unit;
The travel time calculation device according to claim 1, further comprising: A travel time calculation device for calculating an expected travel time length required for travel between two points;
A travel time requesting terminal that is connectable to the travel time calculating device via a network and that causes the travel time calculating unit to calculate a travel time length;
Have
The travel time calculation device includes:
A position information storage unit in which a plurality of pieces of position information indicating the position of a predetermined point are recorded;
A point selection unit that selects two points where the position information is recorded in the position information storage unit;
A distance deriving unit for deriving a distance between the two points based on position information of the two points selected by the point selecting unit;
When the distance is substituted, the distance derived by the distance deriving unit is substituted into the movement time function for deriving the movement time length predicted to be required to move the distance, and the movement time length between the two points is calculated. A travel time deriving unit for deriving;
Have
The travel time calculation system, wherein the travel time function derives the travel time length so that an increase amount of the travel time length with respect to the distance changes according to the substituted distance. On the computer,
A position information storage function in which a plurality of pieces of position information representing the position of a predetermined point are recorded;
A point selection function for selecting two points where position information is recorded in the position information storage function;
A distance deriving function for deriving a distance between the two points based on position information of the two points selected by the point selecting function;
When the distance is substituted, the distance derived by the distance deriving unit is substituted into the movement time function for deriving the movement time length predicted to be required to move the distance, and the movement time length between the two points is calculated. Derived travel time derivation function,
Including
The travel time function is a program for realizing deriving the travel time length so that an increase amount of the travel time length with respect to the distance changes according to the substituted distance.

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