JP2012229965A - Route search device, route search method, and route search system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a route search technique allowing usage of a communication method used at the time of starting a route search to be maintained to the maximum possibility.SOLUTION: A route search device for use in route search includes: an information acquisition part for obtaining communication method information related to a communication method of an information processing device moving with a mobile body, area information related to a communication state of the communication method of the information processing device, present-spot information related to the present spot of the mobile body, and destination information related to the destination of the mobile body; and an information processing part for searching for a route to the destination, the route allowing usage of a communication method used at the time of starting a route search to be maintained to the maximum possibility, on the basis of the communication method information, area information, present-spot information and destination information that have been acquired by the information acquisition part.

Description

  The present invention relates to a route search device, a route search method, and a route search system.

  As a technique for ensuring a communication data reception rate in a communication apparatus that moves together with a mobile object, there is a technique described in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses a route search device that searches for a moving route of a moving body, and this route search device stores communication environment information including communication state information associated with date and time information for each of a plurality of areas. Storage means, and search means for searching for a moving route to the destination of the moving body while considering maintenance of predetermined communication environment conditions using communication environment information.

  Further, Patent Document 2 searches for a route on which the most efficient communication can be performed while the mobile communication terminal device is moving from the current location to the destination based on the communication line to be used and the destination information. Is disclosed.

JP 2010-48590 A JP 2008-236381 A

  The 3rd generation (3G) is widely used as a mobile communication system, but WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) or LTE (LTE) is a wireless communication technology for realizing a higher speed and larger capacity network. Communication methods such as Long Term Evolution) are becoming widespread. In addition, in-vehicle devices and mobile terminals (mobile phones and smartphones) having a navigation function and equipped with communication devices compatible with a plurality of communication methods are becoming widespread.

  According to a new communication method such as WiMAX or LTE, a higher speed and larger capacity network can be realized. However, since such a new communication method has few base stations and a small cover area, there is a concern that communication may be interrupted depending on a travel route of a mobile body equipped with an in-vehicle device or a mobile terminal.

  As a conventional technique, there is a technique for switching a communication method in order to maintain a communication state. However, in such a technique, even if the communication state can be maintained, since switching is performed without considering the communication speed and communication capacity, high-speed and large-capacity data communication may not be maintained.

  In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for searching for a route that can maintain as much as possible the state in which a communication method can be used at the start of route search.

  In the present invention, in order to solve the above-described problem, communication method information related to a communication method at the start of route search is acquired, and a route from the current location to the destination is searched in consideration of the communication method information.

More specifically, the present invention is a route search device that performs a route search, communication method information related to a communication method of an information processing device that moves with a mobile object, and area information related to a communication state of the communication method of the information processing device. And an information acquisition unit that acquires current location information about the current location of the mobile object and destination information about the destination of the mobile object, the communication method information acquired by the information acquisition unit, the area information, An information processing unit that searches for a route to a destination that can maintain as much as possible a state where the communication method at the start of route search can be used based on the current location information and the destination information.

  According to the route search device of the present invention, it is possible to search for a route to a destination that can maintain as much communication as possible using the communication method at the start of route search. Examples of the route search device include a server on a network, an in-vehicle device having a navigation function mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle, and a mobile terminal (mobile phone or smartphone) having a navigation function. In other words, according to the present invention, the route search processing is performed by the server, the search result is transmitted to the in-vehicle device or the portable terminal, the route guidance is performed by the in-vehicle device or the portable terminal, and the route search is performed by the in-vehicle device or the portable terminal. In that case, the necessary information is acquired from the server, and further, when the route search is performed by the in-vehicle device or the portable terminal, a part of the processing is performed by the server (for example, the route search not considering the communication method) It is possible to carry out a route search in consideration of the communication method by using a server. The communication method information is a wireless communication method, and examples thereof include 3G (3rd Generation), WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), and LTE (Long Term Evolution). For example, WiMAX and LTE have fewer base stations than 3G, and there is a concern that communication may be interrupted because the cover area is narrow. According to the route search device of the present invention, for example, even when WiMAX or LTE is used at the start of route guidance, a route search to a destination that can maintain the WiMAX or LTE available state as much as possible is possible. It becomes. The output of the information output unit includes a mode in which a route search result is transmitted from the server to the in-vehicle device or the mobile terminal, and a mode in which the search result by the in-vehicle device or the mobile terminal is displayed on the display device.

  The route search apparatus according to the present invention further includes an information output unit that outputs a route search result by the information processing unit, and the information output unit adds a communication method at the time of starting the route search to the searched route. When a section in which the usable state cannot be maintained is included, that fact may be output. In the present invention, the information processing unit searches for a route to a destination that can maintain the state where the communication method at the time of starting the route search can be used as much as possible, but at the time of starting the route search such as an area where the base station is not maintained. There are also areas where it is not possible to maintain the availability of these communication methods. When such a region (section) is present on the route, the fact is output so that the user can know that such a region (section) is present on the route. The user can select an optimum route in consideration of such information.

  Further, in the route search device according to the present invention, the information output unit outputs that when the searched route includes a section where the communication method at the start of the route search cannot be used, and further, When there is content being processed in the section, the content to be output from the information processing device, the content replacing the content, may be selected from the predetermined content and output from the information processing device. . For example, if the information processing device receives distribution of content such as music and video using the communication method at the start of route search, communication can be performed by using default alternative content in a section where communication cannot be maintained. It is possible to prevent a situation in which the reproduction of music or a video suddenly stops when traveling in a section that cannot be maintained.

  In the route search device according to the present invention, the information processing unit searches for a general route to the destination based only on the current location information and the destination information, and the information output unit includes the route and the general information. A route may be output. By searching and outputting both a route that considers the communication method and a general route (route that does not consider the communication method) based only on the current location information and the destination information, the two can be compared.

  In the route search device according to the present invention, the information processing unit calculates at least one of the required time to the destination, the fuel used to the destination, and the connectable time to the network according to the route. The information output unit may output the required time, the used fuel, and the connection information calculated by the information processing unit. By calculating and outputting the required time to the destination, the fuel used to the destination, and the connectable time to the network, the user can select the optimum route in consideration of more information. Become.

  Further, in the route search device according to the present invention, the information processing unit searches for a plurality of routes to a destination that can maintain a state where the communication method at the time of starting the route search can be used as much as possible, and each of the plurality of routes. And calculating at least one of the required time to the destination, the fuel used to the destination, and the connectable time to the network, and the information output unit calculates the required value calculated by the information processing unit The time, the fuel used, and the connection information may be output. According to the present invention, it is possible to select an optimum route from a plurality of routes.

  As described above, the route search apparatus can be configured by a server that can be connected to a network. That is, the route search device according to the present invention comprises a server connectable to a network, the information acquisition unit acquires the communication method information, the current location information, and the destination information from the information processing device, Accessing a storage device that stores area information related to a communication state, obtaining area information corresponding to a communication method of the information processing device, the information processing unit, the communication method information acquired by the information acquisition unit, Based on the area information, the current location information, and the destination information, search for a route to a destination that can maintain the communication method at the start of the route search, and the information output unit You may make it transmit the search result of the path | route by a process part to the said information processing apparatus.

  The route search device includes the information processing device that moves together with a mobile body that can be connected to a network, and the information acquisition unit acquires the communication method information, the current location information, and the destination information, Accessing a storage device that stores area information related to a communication state, obtaining area information corresponding to a communication method of the information processing device, the information processing unit, the communication method information acquired by the information acquisition unit, Based on the area information, the current location information, and the destination information, search for a route to a destination that can maintain the communication method at the start of the route search, and the information output unit A route search result by the processing unit may be displayed on the display device.

  The present invention can also be specified as a route search method. That is, the present invention is a route search method for performing a route search, communication method information relating to a communication method of an information processing device moving with a mobile object, area information relating to a communication state of the communication method of the information processing device, An information acquisition step for acquiring current location information regarding the current location of the mobile object and destination information regarding the destination of the mobile object, and the communication method information, the area information, and the current location information acquired at the information acquisition step. And an information processing step of searching for a route to the destination that can maintain as much as possible the state in which the communication method at the time of starting the route search can be used based on the destination information. According to the route search method according to the present invention, it is possible to search for a route to a destination that can maintain as much communication as possible using the communication method at the start of route search.

The present invention can also be specified as a route search system including a route search device including a server that performs route search, and an information processing device that is connected to the route search device via a network and moves together with a mobile object. That is, the present invention is a route search system comprising: a route search device comprising a server that performs route search; and an information processing device that is connected to the route search device via a network and moves together with a mobile object. The search device includes communication method information relating to a communication method of the information processing device, area information relating to a communication state of the communication method of the information processing device, current location information relating to the current location of the moving object, and purposes relating to the destination of the moving object. An information acquisition unit that accesses location information and a storage device that stores area information related to a communication state of a communication method of the information processing device, and acquires the communication method information, the area information, the current location information, and the destination information And based on the communication method information, the area information, the current location information, and the destination information acquired by the information acquisition unit. An information processing unit that searches for a route to a destination that can maintain the communication method at the start of the route search as much as possible, and an information output unit that outputs a route search result by the information processing unit. The information processing apparatus is a route search system that performs route guidance based on a route search result output from the information output unit.

  The present invention can also be specified as a program for realizing the route search method described above. Furthermore, the present invention may be a computer-readable recording medium that records the program. In this case, the function can be provided by causing a computer or the like to read and execute the program of the recording medium. Note that a computer-readable recording medium is a recording medium that accumulates information such as data and programs by electrical, magnetic, optical, mechanical, or chemical action and can be read from a computer or the like. Say.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the technique which searches the path | route which can maintain the state which can utilize the communication system at the time of a path | route search start as much as possible can be provided.

1 shows an overview of a route search system according to a first embodiment. The functional block diagram of the server which concerns on 1st embodiment is shown. The structure of the vehicle equipment which concerns on 1st embodiment is shown. The route search processing flow is shown. An example of a service area map is shown. An example of a route search result database is shown. The route determination processing flow is shown. An example of the calculation result displayed on the display part of a vehicle equipment is shown. The functional block diagram of the navigation part of the vehicle equipment which concerns on 2nd embodiment is shown. 10 shows a route search processing / route determination processing flow according to the second embodiment. The route search processing flow which concerns on 3rd embodiment is shown. A mode that the area which cannot maintain the communication by WiMAX was specified is shown. The other example of a route search result database is shown. The other example of the calculation result displayed on the display part of a vehicle equipment is shown. An example of an image image of a calculation result including a map and a route is shown.

  Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. The following description is an example, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[First embodiment]
<Configuration>
≪Route search system≫
As shown in FIG. 1, the route search system A according to the first embodiment includes a server 1 and an in-vehicle device 3. The server 1 and the in-vehicle device 3 are connected to each other via the network 4. The network 4 is exemplified by the Internet using a telephone line network. However, the network 4 is not particularly limited as long as it can electrically connect the server 1 and the vehicle-mounted device 3 and can communicate with each other. .

<< Server >>
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the server according to the first embodiment. The server 1 corresponds to the route search device of the present invention. The server 1 includes a server control unit 15, a server display device 11, a server input device 12, a server communication device 13, and a server storage device 14 as a hardware configuration. The server control unit 15 includes a CPU 16, A memory 17 is included. The server control unit 15 includes an information acquisition unit 18, an information processing unit 19, and an information output unit 20.

  The server display device 11 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display device, a plasma display panel, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), an electroluminescence panel, and the like. The server input device 12 includes, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, a touch panel, operation buttons, and the like. Examples of the server communication device 13 include a communication module (for example, a network card) that realizes connection to the network 4. The storage device 14 of the server can be configured by a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD), a semiconductor memory, or the like. In the first embodiment, the storage device 14 of the server is provided in the server 1, but the storage device may be provided outside the server 1.

  The server CPU 16 controls each hardware, and causes each functional unit such as the information acquisition unit 18, the information processing unit 19, and the information output unit 20 to function according to a control program registered in the server memory 17. As a result, the control unit 15 of the server functions as the control unit 15 including these functional units. Each functional unit can be configured as a computer program executed on the CPU 16 of the server. Each of these functional units may be configured as a dedicated processor.

  The information acquisition unit 18 includes communication method information related to the communication method of the in-vehicle device 3 mounted on the vehicle, area information related to the communication state of the communication method, current location information related to the current location of the vehicle, and destination information related to the vehicle destination. , Get.

  Based on the communication method information, area information, current location information, and destination information acquired by the information acquisition unit 18, the information processing unit 19 can maintain a destination that can use the communication method at the start of the route search. Search the route to.

  The information output unit 20 transmits the route search result by the information processing unit 19 to the in-vehicle device 3.

≪In-vehicle equipment≫
The in-vehicle device 3 can be directly connected to the network, and can be connected to the network via the mobile terminal by being connected to a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or a smartphone. The in-vehicle device 3 can be connected to the content distribution server 5 and can receive various services via the network, including distribution of music and moving images.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the in-vehicle device, but the in-vehicle device 3 according to the first embodiment includes a control unit 101, a broadcast receiving unit 102, a disc reproducing unit 103, an HD reproducing unit 104, and a navigation unit 105 (in FIG. Simply described as “Navi”.), VICS information receiving unit 106, GPS information receiving unit 107, distribution circuit 108, image adjustment circuit 109, audio adjustment circuit 110, speaker 111, image output unit 112, display unit 113, operation unit 114, a memory 115, a first communication device unit 121, and a second communication device unit 122.

The control unit 101 inputs a signal from each part of the in-vehicle device 3 (AVN integrated machine) or a connected external device, an operation instruction signal from each operation unit based on a user (user) operation, and the like. Based on the signal, each unit of the in-vehicle device 3 or an external device is comprehensively controlled. The control unit 101 of the in-vehicle device is configured by a microcomputer, for example, and operates according to a program stored in a memory such as a ROM.

The broadcast receiving unit 102 selectively receives a broadcast wave having a specific frequency from the broadcast wave received by the antenna, demodulates it, and outputs an audio signal and an image signal (in the case of television broadcast) of the broadcast. The disc playback unit 103 reads data stored on the disc by a pickup and outputs an audio signal and an image signal (for example, in the case of a CD, DVD, BD (Blu-ray Disc)) based on the read data. The HD playback unit 104 stores music data such as MP3 files, image data such as JPEG files, map data for navigation, and the like on a hard disk (HD), which is a magnetic recording medium, and obtains desired data from various stored data. Read out, output image signal, audio signal, character signal.

  The navigation unit 105 (simply described as “navigation” in FIG. 3) displays the position of the vehicle and the route to the destination on the map, and provides guidance such as a right or left turn by voice at an intersection or the like. Further, traffic information is obtained from a VICS information receiving unit 106, which will be described later, and the vehicle position information is obtained and displayed from the GPS information receiving unit 107, and route guidance to the destination is performed. In the first embodiment, the server 1 performs a route search, but the navigation unit 105 may have the function of the server 1. A mode in which the navigation unit 105 performs route search will be described in a second embodiment.

  The VICS information receiving unit 106 receives traffic information related to the traffic information communication system (VICS (registered trademark)) and outputs the received traffic information. The GPS information receiving unit 107 detects the vehicle position based on the GPS signal from the GPS (registered trademark) satellite, and outputs the detected current location information.

  The distribution circuit 108 outputs audio signals and image signals of various sources (disc reproducing unit 103, broadcast receiving unit 102, HD reproducing unit 104, and navigation unit 105) designated to be output by the control signal of the control unit 101. The data is output to the adjustment circuit 110 and the image adjustment circuit 109. The image adjustment circuit 109 adjusts the brightness, color tone, contrast, and the like of the input image signal according to the control signal of the control unit 101, and outputs each adjusted image signal.

  The sound adjustment circuit 110 adjusts the volume and sound of the input sound signal according to the control signal of the control unit 101 of the in-vehicle device, and outputs the adjusted sound signal. The speaker 111 outputs the audio signal input from the audio adjustment circuit 110 as audio.

  The image output unit 112 inputs the image signal input from the image adjustment unit and the display image signal to be displayed on the display unit from the control unit 101 of the in-vehicle device, performs processing such as image synthesis, and performs the processing The display unit 113 is driven based on the image signal. The image output unit 112 includes, for example, an image ASIC that is an arithmetic processing circuit specialized for an image that performs image processing by arithmetic processing, a video memory that stores image data for image processing and output, and an image output video memory It comprises an image drive circuit that drives the display unit based on the stored image data. In the first embodiment, the image output unit 112 functions to display various images on the display unit 113 of the in-vehicle device.

  The display unit 113 displays an image based on the image signal input by the image output unit 112. The display unit 113 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, a plasma display, a cold cathode flat panel display, or the like. The display unit 113 of the first embodiment is configured by a touch panel.

The operation unit 114 is operated by the user of the apparatus. The operation unit 114 includes, for example, a touch panel, a push button switch, a rotation operation switch, a joystick, and the like. The operation unit of the first embodiment includes a touch panel and various buttons.

  The memory 115 is a memory (storage medium) that stores various data and control programs, and includes, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a rewritable flash memory, and the like.

  The first communication device unit 121 is a dedicated module connected to a network, and is configured by a 3G (3rd Generation) module, for example.

The second communication device unit 122 is also a dedicated module for connecting to a network, and is configured by a WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) module, for example.

The first communication device unit 121 or the second communication device unit 122 may be configured by a DCM (Data Communication Module) or an LTE (Long Term Evolution) module. The in-vehicle device 3 may be configured to include a wireless device unit in addition to or instead of the first communication device unit 121 and the second communication device unit 122. By wirelessly connecting the wireless device unit and the mobile terminal, it is possible to connect to the network via the mobile terminal. The wireless device section includes a Bluetooth module (Bluetooth is a registered trademark), a WiFi module (WiFi: Wireless
Fidelity) is exemplified.

<Processing flow>
≪Route search process≫
Next, a route search process considering the communication method will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a case where route search processing is executed by a server will be described as an example.

  FIG. 4 shows a route search processing flow. The route search process is started when power is supplied to the in-vehicle device 3 and a button for starting the route search provided in the in-vehicle device 3 is selected. Note that communication control, in other words, transmission / reception of content download from the content distribution server 1, for example, is separately executed by the server control unit 15 in the background of route search processing described below. In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the connection to the network is performed using the second communication device unit 122 (WiMAX).

  In step S01, the control unit 15 of the server acquires route search information. The route search information is information required for executing the route search, and includes current location information and destination information. The current location information is information related to the current location of the vehicle, and is acquired by the GPS information receiving unit 107 of the in-vehicle device 3. The destination information is information related to the destination of the vehicle, and is input via the display unit 113 or the operation unit 114 of the in-vehicle device 3. If route search information is acquired, it will progress to step S02.

  In step S02, the control unit 15 of the server performs a route search based on the route search information. That is, the control unit 15 of the server searches for a route to the destination based on the current location information and the destination information. For example, settings such as highway priority, general road priority, and traffic jam consideration can be performed in advance. When such a setting is performed, route search according to the setting condition is executed. When the route search is performed, the process proceeds to step S03.

In step S03, the control unit 15 of the server acquires communication method information and area information. The communication method information is information related to the communication method of the in-vehicle device 3, and the control unit 15 of the server acquires information related to the communication method used at the time of route search. In the first embodiment, since the second communication device unit 122 is used, “WiMAX” is acquired as the communication method. When the first communication device 121 is used at the time of route search, the communication method [3
G] is acquired. The area information is information regarding the communication state of the communication method, in other words, the service area of the communication method. In the first embodiment, information related to the “WiMAX” service area is acquired. Here, FIG. 5 shows an example of the service area map. The shaded area indicates an area in which communication using “WiMAX” is possible by installing a base station. FIG. 5 shows that route 1 is completely covered by the service area from the current location to the destination, but route 2 has an area where communication by “WiMAX” cannot be performed between area 2 and area 4. . Such area information (service area map) may be acquired from an external server, or may be stored in advance in a storage device of the server. If communication method information and area information are acquired, it will progress to step S04.

  In step S04, the control unit 15 of the server calculates the connection time in the searched route. That is, the control unit 15 of the server compares the searched route with the area information, specifies the route existing in the service area, and based on the distance of the specified route and the vehicle speed information when traveling the route. , The connection time to the network using “WiMAX” is calculated. The speed information of the vehicle when traveling on the route can be set in advance in consideration of the speed limit and the like. When the connection time is calculated, the process proceeds to step S05.

  In step S05, the control unit 15 of the server stores the calculated connection time. That is, the control unit 15 of the server records the connection time calculated in step S04 in the route search result database stored in the storage device 14. At that time, the control unit 15 of the server records the distance of the route and the travel time of the entire route together with the travel time. FIG. 6 shows an example of a route search result database. In the route search result database, items of “route”, “time”, “distance”, “network connection time”, and “distributable time” are provided, and information corresponding to each item is recorded. When the connection time is saved, the process proceeds to step S06.

  In step S06, the control unit 15 of the server determines whether the stored connection time is the maximum. That is, the control unit 15 of the server accesses the route search result database and determines whether the stored connection time is the maximum among the connection times recorded in the route search result database. When there is no record in the route search result database, the stored connection time is maximized. If the connection time has already been recorded in the route search result database, the maximum recorded connection time is compared with the stored connection time to determine whether the stored connection time is the maximum. To do. If the stored connection time is the maximum, the process proceeds to step S07. On the other hand, if the stored connection time is not the maximum, the process proceeds to step S08.

  In step S07, the control unit 15 of the server stores the maximum connection time. That is, the control unit 15 of the server records the saved connection time as the maximum connection time in the route search result database (see FIG. 6). When the maximum connection time is saved, the process proceeds to step S08.

  In step S08, the server control unit 15 determines whether all routes have been searched. That is, the control unit 15 of the server determines whether or not all route searches are performed for each route search condition set in advance. That is, it is determined whether a route corresponding to the number of search conditions (for example, high speed priority, general road priority, traffic jam consideration) is being searched. If all routes have been searched, the process proceeds to step S09. On the other hand, if not all routes have been searched, the process returns to step S02 and the route search is executed again. For example, when the route search has been executed only under the high speed priority condition, the route search based on the general road priority condition is executed next.

In step S09, the control unit 15 of the server calculates a time that can be distributed. The time that can be distributed is the time during which content distributed from the content distribution server 5 can be distributed, and is determined for each content. For example, in the case of music, the music reproduction time is calculated based on the data amount of the music, the communication speed of “WiMAX”, the length of the music, and the maximum connection time. Note that the number of reproductions may be calculated instead of the reproduction time. In the case of a moving image, the reproduction time of the moving image is calculated based on the data amount of the moving image, the communication speed of “WiMAX”, the length of the moving image, and the maximum connection time. The calculated delivery time is recorded in the route search result database. As shown in FIG. 6, the “deliverable time” item records the time that can be distributed in each route in association with the content. For example, in the path 1, it is recorded that the moving image can be reproduced for 2 hours. It should be noted that the time that can be distributed corresponding to each of a plurality of contents may be recorded for one route. For example, in FIG. 6, only “moving video can be played for 2 hours” is recorded in path 1, but “music can be played for 2.0 hours” may also be recorded. Further, only the time that can be distributed to the maximum by each route may be displayed without unifying the contents. For example, the route 1 may be recorded as “2 hours of moving image can be reproduced”, the route 2 may be “playable as an hour of music”, and the route 3 may be recorded as “Web reference only”. The above means that, for example, a movie of up to 2 hours can be reproduced on the route 1 and a movie of 2 hours cannot be reproduced on the route 2, but a song of up to 1 hour can be reproduced. In the path 3, it is difficult to reproduce a moving image or music, but it is possible to refer to the Web.

  In step S09, the control unit 15 of the server may calculate the fuel consumption for each route and the cost for each route in addition to the delivery time, and record the calculation result in the route search result database. When the delivery time is calculated, the process proceeds to step S10.

  In step S <b> 10, the server control unit 15 transmits the calculation result to the in-vehicle device 3. That is, the control unit 15 of the server transmits a calculation result corresponding to the route search result database to the in-vehicle device 3. When the calculation result is transmitted, this process ends.

≪Route determination process≫
When the calculation result is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 3, the in-vehicle device 3 starts a route determination process. FIG. 7 shows a route determination process flow. In step S <b> 11, the control unit 101 of the in-vehicle device receives the calculation result via the second communication device unit 122. Next, in step S12, the control unit 101 of the in-vehicle device causes the display unit 113 to display the received calculation result. Here, FIG. 8 shows an example of a calculation result displayed on the display unit of the in-vehicle device. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, items of “time”, “distance”, “network connection time”, and “distributable time” are provided on the display unit 113, and information corresponding to these items is recorded for each route. ing. For example, in the route 1, the time is 2 hours, the distance is 150 km, the network connection time is 2.0 hours, and the distribution time is 2.0 hours. In addition, the route 2 has a time of 1.7 hours, a distance of 140 km, a network connection time of 1.7 hours, and a distribution time of 1.7 hours. From such a display, the user can make a determination that the moving image reproduction can be enjoyed for 2.0 hours although the route 1 has a longer time and distance than the route 2. When the calculation result is displayed on the display unit 113, the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S <b> 13, the control unit 101 of the in-vehicle device accepts a route selection instruction via the display unit 113 or the operation unit 114. Next, in step S <b> 14, the control unit 101 of the in-vehicle device determines a route based on a user selection instruction to the display unit 113 or the operation unit 114. When the route is determined, in step S15, the control unit 101 of the vehicle-mounted device executes route guidance processing. That is, the information regarding the route selected through the second communication device unit 122 is transmitted to the server 1. The control unit 15 of the server executes route guidance corresponding to the route transmitted from the in-vehicle device 3 and transmits information necessary for route guidance (map information, vehicle position information, voice information, etc.) to the in-vehicle device 3 as needed. To do. The control unit 101 of the in-vehicle device receives information necessary for route guidance transmitted from the server 1 through the second communication device unit 122 as needed, displays the received information on the display unit 113, and also displays necessary information. A route guidance process is executed by outputting voice guidance through the speaker 111. When the vehicle arrives at the destination, the route selection process ends.

<Effect>
According to the route search system A according to the first embodiment described above, it is possible to search for a route to a destination that can maintain communication by the communication method (WiMAX) at the start of route search as much as possible. In addition, information such as the required time to the destination for each route, the distance to the destination, the network connection time, and the delivery time is provided to the user. Therefore, the user can determine a route to a destination that suits his / her preference based on such useful information.

[Second Embodiment]
<Configuration>
In the route search system according to the second embodiment, the in-vehicle device 3 executes the route search process executed by the server 1 in the first embodiment. FIG. 9 shows a functional block diagram of the navigation unit 105 of the in-vehicle device according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, in the second embodiment, the navigation unit 105 of the in-vehicle device has the same configuration as the control unit 15 of the server according to the first embodiment. As a result, the route search process described in the first embodiment can be performed on the in-vehicle device 3 side. The configuration corresponding to the control unit 15 of the server may be included in the control unit 101 of the in-vehicle device.

<Processing flow>
≪Route search processing and route determination processing≫
FIG. 10 shows a route search processing / route determination processing flow according to the second embodiment. In step S01, the navigation unit 105 acquires route search information. The current location information and the destination information included in the route search information can be stored in the memory 115, and the navigation unit 105 can acquire the current location information and the destination information from the memory 115.

  In step S02, the navigation unit 105 performs a route search based on the route search information. Next, in step S03, the navigation unit 105 acquires communication method information and area information. The communication method information can be stored in the memory 115, and the navigation unit 105 can acquire the communication method information and area information from the memory 115. On the other hand, the area information (service area map) may be acquired from an external server, or may be stored in advance in a storage device of the server and acquired from the storage device of the server.

  In step S04, the navigation part 105 calculates the connection time in the searched route. Next, in step S05, the navigation unit 105 stores the calculated connection time. Note that the route search result database as a storage destination may be stored in the memory 115 of the vehicle-mounted device or may be stored in the storage device 14 of the server.

  In step S06, the navigation unit 105 determines whether the stored connection time is the maximum. If the stored connection time is the maximum, the process proceeds to step S07. On the other hand, if the stored connection time is not the maximum, the process proceeds to step S08. In step S07, the navigation unit 105 stores the maximum connection time.

  In step S08, the navigation unit 105 determines whether all routes have been searched. If all routes have been searched, the process proceeds to step S09. On the other hand, if not all routes have been searched, the process returns to step S02, and the navigation unit 105 performs route search again. In step S09, the navigation part 105 calculates the time which can be delivered. If the time which can be delivered is calculated, it will progress to step S12.

In step S12, the navigation unit 105 causes the display unit 113 to display the received calculation result. Next, in step S <b> 13, the navigation unit 105 receives a route selection instruction via the display unit 113 or the operation unit 114. Next, in step S <b> 14, the navigation unit 105 determines a route based on a user selection instruction to the display unit 113 or the operation unit 114. When the route is determined, in step S15, the navigation unit 105 executes route guidance processing. That is, the navigation unit 105 displays information necessary for route guidance (map information, vehicle position information, voice information, etc.) on the display unit 113, and outputs necessary voice guidance through the speaker 111. Execute the guidance process. When the vehicle arrives at the destination, the route search processing / route determination processing ends.

<Effect>
According to the route search system according to the second embodiment described above, the vehicle-mounted device 3 can search for a route to a destination that can maintain communication by the communication method (WiMAX) at the start of route search as much as possible. In addition, information such as a required time to the destination for each route, a distance network connection time to the destination, and a delivery time is provided to the user. Therefore, the user can determine a route to a destination that suits his / her preference based on such useful information.

[Third embodiment]
In the route search system according to the third embodiment, a section where communication by the communication method (WiMAX) at the start of route search cannot be maintained is displayed on the display unit 113 of the in-vehicle device, and can be provided in a section where communication cannot be maintained. The media is displayed. The configuration of the route search system can be the same as that of the first embodiment or the second embodiment. Therefore, the description of the configuration is omitted.

≪Route search process≫
FIG. 11 shows a route search processing flow according to the third embodiment. The server control unit 15 executes the processing from step S01 to step S03. When communication method information and area information are acquired in step S03, the process proceeds to step S04-1. In step S04-1, the control unit 15 of the server calculates a connection time in the searched route and specifies a section in which communication cannot be maintained. FIG. 12 shows a state in which a section in which WiMAX communication cannot be maintained is specified. In FIG. 12, there is a section in which both route 1 and route 2 cannot maintain WiMAX communication. Specifically, route 1 has a section in which WiMAX communication cannot be maintained between area 1 and area 2, and route 2 has a section in which WiMAX communication cannot be maintained between area 1 and area 4. Is present. When the connection time is calculated and a section in which communication cannot be maintained is specified, the process proceeds to step S05-1.

  In step S05-1, the control unit 15 of the server stores the calculated connection time and a section in which communication using WiMAX cannot be maintained. That is, the control unit 15 of the server records the connection time calculated in step S04 in the route search result database stored in the storage device 14. At that time, the control unit 15 of the server records the distance of the route and the travel time of the entire route together with the travel time. Furthermore, the control unit 15 of the server records the travel time in the section where communication by WiMAX cannot be maintained (communication impossible section), the distance of the section, the network disconnection time, and the media that can be provided in the section where communication cannot be maintained. Examples of media that can be provided include CD / DVD, radio, and NEWS / advertisement (already distributed). Note that even if content originally requires communication, content that has already been distributed can be included in the media that can be provided. FIG. 13 shows another example of the route search result database. It should be noted that the media that can be provided may be recorded only as items, or specific music titles and radio stations may be specified in advance. When the connection time and the section in which communication by WiMAX cannot be maintained are stored, the process proceeds to step S06.

  The server control unit 15 executes the processing from step S06 to step S09. In step S10, the calculation result is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 3. That is, the control unit 15 of the server transmits a calculation result corresponding to the route search result database of FIG. When the calculation result is transmitted, this process ends.

≪Route determination process≫
When the calculation result is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 3, the in-vehicle device 3 starts a route determination process. As described in the first embodiment (see FIG. 8), in step S11, the control unit 101 of the in-vehicle device receives the calculation result via the second communication device unit 122. Next, in step S12, the control unit 101 of the in-vehicle device causes the display unit 113 to display the received calculation result. Here, FIG. 14 shows another example of the calculation result displayed on the display unit of the in-vehicle device. In the example shown in FIG. 14, items of “time”, “distance”, “network connection time”, and “distributable time” are provided on the display unit 113, and information corresponding to these items is recorded for each route. ing. In the example illustrated in FIG. 14, the travel time of a section where communication by WiMAX cannot be maintained (communication impossible section), the distance of the section, the network disconnection time, and the media that can be provided in the section where communication cannot be maintained are displayed. The calculation result displayed on the display unit 113 of the in-vehicle device may be an image image including a map and a route. FIG. 15 shows an example of an image image of a calculation result including a map and a route. By displaying the calculation results shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 on the display unit 113, the user can select a route that suits his / her preference. Also, media that can be provided in a section where communication by WiMAX cannot be maintained are displayed, and playback of the corresponding media is executed by selecting one of them. As a result, the user can recognize a section in which WiMAX communication cannot be maintained. Further, as will be described later, it is possible to easily select a medium that meets the taste of confidence. When the calculation result is displayed on the display unit 113, the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S <b> 13, the control unit 101 of the in-vehicle device accepts a route selection instruction via the display unit 113 or the operation unit 114. The control unit 101 of the in-vehicle device also accepts media selection. Next, in step S <b> 14, the control unit 101 of the in-vehicle device determines a route based on a user selection instruction to the display unit 113 or the operation unit 114. When the route is determined, in step S15, the control unit 101 of the vehicle-mounted device executes route guidance processing. That is, the information regarding the route selected through the second communication device unit 122 is transmitted to the server 1. The control unit 15 of the server executes route guidance corresponding to the route transmitted from the in-vehicle device 3 and transmits information necessary for route guidance (map information, vehicle position information, voice information, etc.) to the in-vehicle device 3 as needed. To do. The control unit 101 of the in-vehicle device receives information necessary for route guidance transmitted from the server 1 through the second communication device unit 122 as needed, displays the received information on the display unit 113, and also displays necessary information. A route guidance process is executed by outputting voice guidance through the speaker 111. When the vehicle arrives at the destination, the route selection process ends. In addition, the control unit 101 of the in-vehicle device executes reproduction of the media selected by the user in a section in which WiMAX communication cannot be maintained. For example, when CD / DVD is selected, the control unit 101 of the in-vehicle device activates the disk playback unit 103 and executes playback of the music. Note that the music selection may be received after the disc playback unit 103 is activated, or the music selection from the user may be received in advance, and the playback may be automatically performed in a section in which WiMAX communication cannot be maintained. In addition, the control unit 101 of the in-vehicle device may output a warning sound or a message that enters the zone where WiMAX communication cannot be maintained through the speaker 111 before entering the zone where WiMAX communication cannot be maintained.

<Effect>
According to the route search system according to the third embodiment described above, it is possible to search for a route to a destination that can maintain communication by the communication method (WiMAX) at the start of route search as much as possible. In addition, information such as a required time to the destination for each route, a distance network connection time to the destination, and a delivery time is provided to the user. Therefore, the user can determine a route to a destination that suits his / her preference based on such useful information. Moreover, according to the route search system which concerns on 3rd embodiment, the user can recognize the area which cannot maintain the communication by WiMAX. In addition, the user can easily select a medium to be played in a section where WiMAX communication cannot be maintained.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, the vehicle equipment which concerns on this invention can contain these combinations as much as possible not only in these. In the description of the first to third embodiments, the case where the server or the vehicle-mounted device executes the route search process is described as an example. However, the control unit of the terminal device (mobile phone or smartphone) is connected to the server. Including the configuration of the control unit 15, the route search process can be performed by the terminal device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Server 3 ... Vehicle equipment 5 ... Network 6 ... Content delivery server 121 ... 1st communication apparatus part 122 ... 2nd communication control part

Claims (5)

A route search device for performing a route search,
Communication method information related to a communication method of an information processing apparatus that moves with a mobile object, area information related to a communication state of the communication method of the information processing apparatus, current location information related to the current location of the mobile object, and purpose related to the destination of the mobile object An information acquisition unit for acquiring location information;
Based on the communication method information, the area information, the current location information, and the destination information acquired by the information acquisition unit, up to a destination that can maintain the state where the communication method at the start of route search can be used as much as possible. A route search device comprising: an information processing unit for searching for a route. An information output unit that outputs a route search result by the information processing unit;
The route search device according to claim 1, wherein the information output unit outputs the fact when the searched route includes a section in which a state where the communication method at the time of starting the route search can be used is not maintained.   The information output unit outputs content that can be processed instead of the content when there is content being processed in a section in which a state where the communication method at the start of the route search cannot be used is maintained. 3. The route search device according to 2. A route search method for performing route search,
Communication method information related to a communication method of an information processing apparatus that moves with a mobile object, area information related to a communication state of the communication method of the information processing apparatus, current location information related to the current location of the mobile object, and purpose related to the destination of the mobile object Information acquisition step for acquiring location information;
Based on the communication method information, the area information, the current location information, and the destination information acquired in the information acquisition step, to a destination that can maintain the state where the communication method at the start of route search can be used as much as possible. An information processing step for searching for a route of the route. A route search system comprising a route search device comprising a server that performs route search, and an information processing device that is connected to the route search device via a network and moves together with a mobile body,
The route search device
Communication method information relating to the communication method of the information processing device, area information relating to the communication state of the communication method of the information processing device, current location information relating to the current location of the moving object, destination information relating to the destination of the moving object, An information acquisition unit that accesses a storage device that stores area information related to a communication state of a communication method of the information processing device, and acquires the communication method information, the area information, the current location information, and the destination information;
Based on the communication method information, the area information, the current location information, and the destination information acquired by the information acquisition unit, a destination that can maintain the state where the communication method at the start of the route search can be used as much as possible An information processing unit that searches for a route to
An information output unit that outputs a route search result by the information processing unit,
The information processing apparatus is a route search system that performs route guidance based on a route search result output from the information output unit.

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