JP2014186504A - Route guidance system, route guidance method, and route guidance program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a route guidance system which promotes use of route guidance functions.SOLUTION: A route guidance system 1 comprises: a map DB 23a for storing map information; a route retrieval section 22a for retrieving a route from a user current position to a destination on the basis of the map information stored in the map DB 23a; and a guidance section 22e for executing control to provide guidance to a user on the retrieved route. The system comprises: a virtual destination setting section 22b for setting a virtual destination for the user on a map indicated by the map information stored in the map DB 23a; a virtual route retrieval section 22c for retrieving a virtual route from the user current position to the virtual destination; and a virtual item setting section 22d for setting an item spot on the virtual route and setting a virtual item on the set item spot. The guidance section 22e executes control to provide guidance to the user on the item spot and the virtual item set by the virtual item setting section 22d.

Description

  The present invention relates to a route guidance system, a route guidance method, and a route guidance program.

  Conventionally, there has been proposed a game system that is configured by connecting a game server and a user terminal so that they can communicate with each other, and in which a user can acquire a virtual item. Specifically, in the game server, an arbitrary point on the map is set as a point for placing a virtual item (hereinafter, item point), and this item point is transmitted to the user terminal. The user terminal informs the user of the existence of the item by displaying the item at the item point, and when the user reaches a predetermined range centering on the item point, the user The point set to the item is given to the user as a virtual acquisition (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-61317 A

  According to the conventional system described above, it is considered that motivation to use the user terminal can be improved by giving the user an opportunity to acquire points. Therefore, it is conceivable to improve the motivation to use the user terminal by applying such a system to a user terminal having a function other than the game. For example, in a system or device having a route guidance function for guiding a travel route from the current location to a destination, when an item is displayed on a map and the vehicle reaches the item point where the item is displayed, the vehicle By giving points to the user, it becomes possible to improve motivation for the user to use the route guidance function.

  However, in the prior art described in Patent Document 1, since an arbitrary point on the map is simply set as an item point, the user who can acquire the item is biased. There was room for improvement. For example, when an item point is set on a specific road, a user who frequently travels on a daily basis such as commuting to this road can easily acquire the item, but a place away from this road Users who live in the city or who drive only on weekends are difficult to acquire items, and for such users to improve their motivation to use the route guidance function It was difficult.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and in a system in which a user can acquire a virtual item, it is possible to improve the user's motivation to use the route guidance function. An object of the present invention is to provide a route guidance system, a route guidance method, and a route guidance program.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the route guidance system according to claim 1 is based on map information storage means for storing map information and map information stored in the map information storage means. A route guidance system comprising: route searching means for searching for a route from a user's current location to a destination; and guidance means for performing control for guiding the route searched by the route searching means to the user. The virtual destination setting means for setting the virtual destination of the user on the map indicated by the map information stored in the map information storage means, and the virtual destination setting from the current location of the user A virtual route searching means for searching for a virtual route to the virtual destination set by the means, and on the virtual route searched by the virtual route searching means, A virtual item setting means for setting an item point where the user can acquire a virtual item and setting the virtual item at the set item point, and the guide means is set by the virtual item setting means Control is performed to guide the item point and the virtual item that have been made to the user.

  The route guidance system according to claim 2 is the route guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the virtual item setting means has a distance from the current location to the item point set on the virtual route. As the number increases, the value of the virtual item placed at the item point is increased.

  The route guidance system according to claim 3 is the route guidance system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the virtual route search means is required to reach the virtual destination from the current location as the virtual route. Search for a recommended route that minimizes the search cost.

  Further, the route guidance system according to claim 4 is the route guidance system according to claim 3, wherein the virtual route search means is a search cost required from the current location to the virtual destination as the virtual route. The virtual item setting means searches for a non-recommended route that is greater than the recommended route search cost, and the virtual item setting means determines the current location relative to a reference distance from the current location to the item point set on the recommended route. As the distance from the item point set on the non-recommended route to the item point increases, the value of the virtual item placed at the item point is increased.

  The route guidance system according to claim 5 is the route guidance system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the guidance means has a value of the virtual item set by the virtual item setting means. The higher the time, the longer the guidance time for guiding the virtual item.

  The route guidance system according to claim 6 is the route guidance system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the user's accumulated login count and the user's accumulated login count for the virtual item guidance system. Usage history information storage means for storing usage history information for specifying at least one of time, the virtual item cumulative acquisition number of the user, and the virtual item cumulative acquisition value of the user, the virtual item setting means, The appearance state of the virtual item on the virtual route is determined based on the usage history information stored in the usage history information storage means.

  The route guidance system according to claim 7 is the route guidance system according to claim 6, wherein the virtual item setting means includes the accumulated login count, the accumulated login time, the accumulated virtual item acquisition count, As at least one of the virtual item accumulated acquisition values is smaller, the number of appearances of the virtual item on the virtual route is increased.

  The route guidance method according to claim 8 is a route search step for searching for a route from the current location of the user to the destination based on the map information stored in the map information storage means for storing the map information; A route guidance method including control for guiding the route searched in the route search step to the user, wherein the map indicated by the map information stored in the map information storage means Above, a virtual destination setting step for setting the virtual destination of the user, and a virtual route search for searching for a virtual route from the current location of the user to the virtual destination set in the virtual destination setting step And the user acquires a virtual item on the virtual route searched in the virtual route search step. A virtual item setting step of setting an item point that can be set, and setting the virtual item at the set item point. In the guidance step, the item point and the virtual item set in the virtual item setting step Is controlled to guide the user.

  A route guidance program according to claim 9 is a route guidance program for causing a computer to execute the route guidance method according to claim 8.

  According to the route guidance system according to claim 1, the route guidance method according to claim 8, and the route guidance program according to claim 9, virtual items that can be acquired by the user using the route guidance function are provided. Since it is arranged on the virtual route of the map, it is possible to give the user motivation to use the route guidance function, and it is possible to increase the use time and use frequency of the route guidance function.

  In addition, according to the route guidance system according to claim 2, the higher the difficulty of going to the item point of the virtual item, the higher the value of the virtual item placed at the item point, the user can select the virtual item. The effort to acquire and the value of the virtual item can be appropriately associated with each other, and the motivation to acquire the virtual item using the route guidance function can be appropriately increased.

  According to the route guidance system according to claim 3, since the virtual item is arranged on the recommended route where the search cost for the user to reach the virtual destination is the minimum cost, the user acquires the virtual item at the minimum cost. It is possible to further increase the motivation to acquire a virtual item using the route guidance function.

  Further, according to the route guidance system according to claim 4, the virtual item is arranged on the non-recommended route where the search cost for the user to reach the virtual destination is larger than the minimum cost, and the distance to the item point increases, Since the value of the virtual item placed at the item point becomes high, the user places the virtual item on the non-recommended route where the search cost to reach the virtual destination is higher than the recommended route. The effort to acquire and the value of the virtual item can be appropriately associated with each other, and the motivation to acquire the virtual item using the route guidance function can be appropriately increased.

  Further, according to the route guidance system according to the fifth aspect, the higher the value of the virtual item is, the longer the guidance time for guiding the virtual item becomes. Therefore, the virtual items that are easy to acquire are relatively short. By providing guidance only for the guidance time, motivating the user to acquire early, and for virtual items that are difficult to acquire, giving guidance with a relatively long guidance time will reduce the willingness to acquire Can be prevented.

  Further, according to the route guidance system according to the sixth aspect, the appearance state of the virtual item is determined based on the user usage history information. It is possible to avoid biasing the acquisition status of virtual items among users, such as reducing the number of users, and it is possible to appropriately increase the motivation to acquire virtual items using the route guidance function .

  In addition, according to the route guidance system according to claim 7, the appearance count of the virtual item is increased as at least one of the cumulative login count, the cumulative login time, the virtual item cumulative acquisition count, and the virtual item cumulative acquisition value is small. So, for example, for users with low usage frequency, it is possible to create a situation where it is easy to acquire virtual items by making many virtual items appear, and motivation to acquire virtual items using the route guidance function Can be raised appropriately.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a route guidance system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the route guidance performed by a route guidance system. It is a figure which shows the structural example of item information. It is a figure which shows the structural example of user information. It is a flowchart of an item guidance process. It is a flowchart of the item guidance process following FIG. It is a flowchart of the item guidance process following FIG.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a route guidance system, a route guidance method, and a route guidance program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited by this embodiment.

(Constitution)
First, the configuration of the route guidance system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a route guidance system according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a route guidance system 1 is a system for guiding a route to a user, and is provided in a navigation device 10 mounted on a vehicle (not shown), a base station (not shown), and the like. A route guidance server 20 is provided, and the navigation device 10 and the route guidance server 20 are connected to each other via a network 30 so that they can communicate with each other. Here, although only one navigation device 10 is shown in FIG. 1, the route guidance system 1 is actually installed in each of the plurality of vehicles and the plurality of navigation devices 10. A common route guidance server 20 capable of communicating with each other is provided. However, since the navigation devices 10 of the plurality of vehicles can be configured similarly to each other, the navigation device 10 mounted on one vehicle (hereinafter referred to as the host vehicle) will be described below. It is assumed that the description of the navigation device 10 mounted on another vehicle (hereinafter referred to as another vehicle) is omitted. In addition, when it is not necessary to distinguish the own vehicle from other vehicles, these are simply collectively referred to as “vehicle”. The “vehicle” includes a two-wheeled vehicle and a bicycle in addition to a four-wheeled vehicle. However, it is not necessary to limit to route guidance using a vehicle. For example, route guidance may be performed when the user of the navigation device 10 moves on foot.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of route guidance performed by the route guidance system 1 according to the present embodiment. In addition to a route guidance function that searches for and guides a route from the current location of the user to the set destination when the user sets a destination, the route guidance system 1 provides a virtual item to the user. It has a function to guide (hereinafter, item guide function). However, since the route guidance function is a known function such as providing information (for example, traffic jam information and construction information) for performing route guidance with the navigation device 10, detailed description thereof is omitted. Regarding the item guidance function, a “virtual item” (hereinafter, simply referred to as “item”) is an article that does not exist physically, which is generated by information processing of the route guidance system 1, and is arranged on a map. It is an article. The specific name or display form of this item is arbitrary, for example, the name or display form of a physically existing article is adopted, or the name or display of a fictitious article in a cartoon or animation that is not physically displayed The form can be adopted. The vehicle driver (hereinafter referred to as a user) can acquire the items arranged in this way. Specifically, when the user reaches a predetermined range (for example, within 10 m) centered on the item by driving the vehicle, the user acquires the item.

  In order to arrange such items on the map, in the present embodiment, an “item attribute” is determined. The specific contents of the item attribute can be arbitrarily determined. In the following, the item attributes include “item appearance state”, “item point”, “point”, and “item display period”. The case will be described.

  The “item appearance state” is an item appearance method, an appearance condition, or an appearance form on the map. As this appearance state, an arbitrary state can be set, but in the present embodiment, “number of items (number of occurrences of items)” is set. The “number of items” is the total number of items that appear on the map. As the method for determining the number of items, for example, a method according to the usage record of the route guidance system 1 by the user can be adopted. “The usage record of the route guidance system 1 by the user” is, for example, the cumulative number of times the user has used the route guidance system 1 (the user has logged in to the route guidance system 1) (hereinafter, the cumulative usage count), Cumulative value of time using the route guidance system 1 (hereinafter referred to as cumulative usage time), number of times the user has acquired items (hereinafter referred to as cumulative item acquisition count), and cumulative value of points acquired by the user (that is, cumulative acquisition value) Hereafter, cumulative points). The “point” will be described later. That is, based on such various usage results, it is determined how much each user is using the route guidance system 1, and the number of items is increased as the user is not using it. The more items you have, the more items you can reduce. Such a setting is performed for a user who does not use the route guidance system 1 so much that a probability that an item will appear within a certain period by arranging a large number of items (hereinafter, item appearance rate). This is to increase the motivation for using the route guidance system 1 by making it easier to acquire items.

  As described above, the “item point” is a point where an item is placed on a map. As a method for determining the item point, for example, a method of arranging on the virtual route can be employed. Here, the “virtual route” is a route that is set as a possibility that the vehicle may travel, and is a route that is searched from the current location of the vehicle to the virtual destination. The “virtual destination” is a point virtually set as the user's destination. At least one virtual route determined in this way may be set. In this embodiment, “recommended route” and “unrecommended route” are set. The “recommended route” is a recommended route that minimizes the search cost required from the current location to the virtual destination. The “non-recommended route” is a route in which the search cost required from the current location to the virtual destination is higher than the search cost of the recommended route. For convenience of explanation in comparison with the recommended route, it is referred to as “not recommended”, but it does not mean that the effectiveness of traveling is denied. Although the specific type and setting method of this “unrecommended route” are arbitrary, in the present embodiment, “detour route” and “detour route” are set. The “recommended route” is a recommended route that minimizes the search cost required from the current location of the vehicle to the virtual destination. A “detour route” is a route for detouring a necessary part of the recommended route when it is assumed that there is a necessary part of the detour such as traffic congestion or construction (hereinafter referred to as a “necessary detour”). . The “detour route” is a route from the current location of the vehicle to the virtual destination via the virtual relay point. A “virtual relay point” is a point that is virtually set as a relay point (stop-by place) for a user.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, specifically, three virtual routes, “recommended route”, “detour route”, and “detour route” are set. Such three virtual routes are set such that the travel distance (hereinafter, the travel distance) that the vehicle travels from the current location of the vehicle through the virtual route to the virtual destination is different. In other words, of the three types of virtual routes, the reached travel distance is minimized when passing the recommended route, intermediate when passing the detour route, and maximized when passing the detour route. One virtual route is set. The travel distance is calculated as a road distance from the current location to the virtual destination, but may be calculated as a straight distance. Here, the increase in the travel distance when passing the detour route or the detour route with respect to the travel distance (reference distance) until the virtual destination is reached through the recommended route is referred to as “increase travel distance”. The increased travel distance is 0 for the recommended route, exceeds 0 for the detour route, exceeds 0 for the detour route, and becomes the maximum distance. In addition, at least one virtual destination may be set, but any plurality of virtual destinations may be set. In the present embodiment, four virtual destinations are set, and these four virtual destinations are determined from the current location of the vehicle. A case where a virtual route to each destination is set will be described. In addition, with regard to the number of virtual routes set for one virtual destination, the recommended route is one from its definition, but one or more arbitrary multiple routes can be set for a detour route or a detour route. In this embodiment, a case where two routes are set will be described. That is, in the present embodiment, there are four recommended routes (number of virtual destinations = 4 × number of recommended routes set = 1) and eight detour routes (number of virtual destinations = 4 × set of detour routes). Number = 2), eight detour routes (number of virtual destinations = 4 × number of bypass routes set = 2) are set, and a total of 20 virtual routes are set. Details of this will be described later. In addition, although the determination method of the item point in the virtual route set in this way is arbitrary, it can be determined according to the utilization track record of the route guidance system 1 by a user. For example, by setting the item point within a relatively narrow range from the current location of the host vehicle and making it easier to acquire items as the user is not using it, motivation for using the route guidance system 1 is further increased. Can give strongly.

  “Point” is an index indicating the value of an item. When the user acquires an item, the point set for the item is given to the user. Thus, the point which the user acquired is recorded on the route guidance system 1, and the user can enjoy the profit according to this recorded point. Although the specific content of this “profit” is arbitrary, for example, points can be exchanged for prizes. However, since the function for exchanging points can be constructed in the same manner as in the prior art, the description thereof is omitted.

  In addition, “item type” is associated with “point”. That is, as an item, a plurality of items having different “types” can be set, and the item type can be changed according to the size of points. In the following, the size of the points is divided into three ranges of a minimum range (for example, points = 1 to 3), an intermediate range (for example, points = 4 to 6), and a maximum range (for example, points = 7 to 10). A case where one item type is associated with a range will be described. As this item type, it is assumed that three types of items “gold coin”, “gold coin bundle”, and “gold ingot” are set. The item “gold coin” is displayed as a single gold coin graphic, and is a set item associated with the minimum range of points. The item “gold coin bundle” is displayed by a figure in which a plurality of gold coins are stacked, and is a set item associated with an intermediate range of points. The item “gold bullion” is displayed with a plurality of gold bullion figures, and is a set item associated with the maximum range of points.

  Here, as a method for determining the size of the point of the item to be arranged at each item point, for example, a method of determining based on the increased travel distance of the virtual route can be employed. In other words, the longer the increased travel distance of the virtual route, the higher the points of items placed on the virtual route. Such a setting is made by giving a large point to a user who has acquired an item by traveling a long distance compared to the case of acquiring an item by traveling a short distance. This is to give the user a value commensurate with the search cost required by traveling and to increase the motivation to travel over long distances and acquire items. The specific relationship between the increased mileage and the points can be arbitrarily set. However, in the following, “cost required to drive the vehicle to acquire the item” = “consumed to drive the vehicle” Considering “gasoline fee”, items with value points according to the gasoline fee are placed. For example, when the increase travel distance of the detour route relative to the recommended route is 5 km, the item point to be placed on the detour route is set to the item point to be placed on the detour route, It is assumed that the increased traveling distance 5 km is set to a larger point corresponding to the gasoline cost consumed for traveling by the vehicle. For example, the fuel consumption of the vehicle, the gasoline cost per liter, and the amount conversion rate of points are set in advance, and points corresponding to the gasoline cost are calculated based on these.

  The “item display period” is a time for continuously displaying items on a map. As a method for determining the item display period, for example, a common item display time may be set for each item, or a different item display time may be set for each user. A case of setting according to points to be performed will be described. Specifically, the larger the point corresponding to the item, the longer the item display time of the item. As described above, such a setting is made when, as the travel distance of the virtual route is longer, the point of the item placed on the virtual route is higher, the higher the point, the longer the travel distance This is because it cannot be acquired unless the virtual route is traveled, and it is considered that it is difficult for the user to acquire it unless it is displayed for a long time.

(Configuration-navigation device)
Next, the structure of the navigation apparatus 10 of the route guidance system 1 of FIG. 1 is demonstrated. The navigation device 10 is a device that outputs various types of information about the host vehicle to the route guidance server 20 and performs various controls based on the information output from the route guidance server 20, and provides route guidance to the user. Is a terminal device. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the navigation device 10 includes a current location acquisition unit 11, a communication unit 12, a touch panel 13, a display 14, a speaker 15, a control unit 16, and a data recording unit 17. In addition, the navigation apparatus 10 can be comprised, for example with the car navigation apparatus mounted in the own vehicle, the smart phone brought into the vehicle, etc.

(Configuration-Navigation device-Current location acquisition unit)
The current location acquisition unit 11 is current location acquisition means for acquiring the current location of the host vehicle. Specifically, the current location acquisition unit 11 includes at least one of a direction sensor (not shown) such as a GPS, a geomagnetic sensor, a distance sensor, or a gyro sensor, and the current position (coordinates) of the host vehicle and The direction and the like are detected by a known method.

(Configuration-Navigation device-Communication unit)
The communication unit 12 is a communication unit that communicates with the route guidance server 20 via the network 30, and specifically transmits vehicle information via the network 30. The communication unit 12 can be configured as, for example, an FM multiplexed VICS (registered trademark), an optical VICS, a DCM (Data Communication Module), or a known communication unit that performs communication using a mobile radio communication network.

(Configuration-Navigation device-Touch panel)
The touch panel 13 is an operation unit that receives an operation input by a user. The touch panel 13 is disposed on the front surface of the display 14. However, in place of the touch panel 13, a known operation means such as a remote operation means such as a remote controller or a hard switch can be used.

(Configuration-Navigation device-Display)
The display 14 is a display unit that displays various images based on the control of the control unit 16. As the display 14, for example, a known flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display can be used.

(Configuration-Navigation device-Speaker)
The speaker 15 is output means for outputting various sounds based on the control of the control unit 16. The specific form of the sound output from the speaker 15 is arbitrary, and it is possible to output a synthesized sound generated as necessary or a sound recorded in advance.

(Configuration-Navigation device-Control unit)
The control unit 16 is a control unit that controls the navigation device 10. Specifically, the CPU, various programs that are interpreted and executed on the CPU (a basic control program such as an OS, a specific function that is activated on the OS, and the like) And an internal memory such as a RAM for storing the program and various data. In particular, the route guidance program according to the present embodiment is installed in the navigation device 10 via an arbitrary recording medium or the network 30 to substantially configure each unit of the control unit 16 (route guidance server described later). The same applies to the 20 control units 22).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 16 includes a route search unit 16a and a guide unit 16b in terms of functional concept. The route search unit 16a is route search means for searching for a route from the current location of the user to the destination. The guide unit 16b is guide means for guiding the searched route to the user. Details of processing executed by each component of the control unit 16 will be described later.

(Configuration-Navigation device-Data recording unit)
The data recording unit 17 is a recording unit that records a program and various data necessary for the operation of the navigation device 10, and is configured using, for example, a hard disk (not shown) as an external recording device. However, any other recording medium including a magnetic recording medium such as a magnetic disk or an optical recording medium such as a DVD or a Blu-ray disc can be used instead of or together with the hard disk (route guidance server described later). The same applies to the 20 data recording units 23). The data recording unit 17 includes a map database (hereinafter, the database is referred to as “DB”) 17a and an item DB 17b.

  The map DB 17a is map information storage means for storing map information. Here, “map information” is information necessary for specifying various positions including roads, road structures, facilities, and the like. For example, node data (node numbers, coordinates, etc.) relating to each node set on the road. ) And link data (link ID, link name, connection node number, road coordinates, road type, number of lanes, travel regulation, etc.) related to each link set on the road. The map information configured in this way is arbitrarily determined by the administrator of the route guidance system 1 and stored in advance in the map DB 17a.

  The item DB 17b is an item information storage unit that stores information about items (hereinafter, item information). As shown in the configuration example of FIG. 3, the item information is configured by associating information corresponding to the item “item ID”, the item “item name”, the item “point range”, and the item “image” with each other. ing. Information corresponding to the item “item ID” is item identification information for uniquely identifying each item. Information corresponding to the item “item name” is the name of each item. The information corresponding to the item “point range” is a range of points set for each item. For example, “1 to 3” indicates that points are set in a range of 1 to 3. The information corresponding to the item “image” is information for specifying the image data when each item is displayed on the map. For example, the image data is directly stored or the file in which the image data is stored is stored. Address. The item information configured as described above is arbitrarily determined by the administrator of the route guidance system 1 and stored in the item DB 17b in advance.

(Configuration-route guidance server)
Next, the configuration of the route guidance server 20 will be described. The route guidance server 20 is an item guidance device that provides the navigation device 10 with at least a part of the item guidance function. Specifically, the route guidance server 20 includes a communication unit 21, a control unit 22, and a data recording unit 23 as shown in FIG.

(Configuration-Route guidance server-Communication section)
The communication unit 21 is a communication unit that communicates with the communication unit 12 of the navigation device 10 via the network 30. Specifically, the communication unit 21 includes various types of output from the navigation device 10 of the vehicle. Information is received via the network 30, and various information is transmitted to the communication unit 12 of the vehicle navigation apparatus 10 via the network 30. The communication unit 21 can be configured as, for example, a known communication unit that performs communication using FM multiplexed VICS, optical VICS, DCM (Data Communication Module), or a mobile radio communication network.

(Configuration-Route guidance server-Control unit)
The control unit 22 is a control unit that controls the route guidance server 20, and functionally conceptually, the route search unit 22a, the virtual destination setting unit 22b, the virtual route search unit 22c, the virtual item setting unit 22d, and the guide unit 22e. It is configured with. The route search unit 22a is route search means for searching for a route from the current location of the user to the destination based on map information stored in a map DB 23a described later. The virtual destination setting unit 22b is virtual destination setting means for setting the user's virtual destination on the map indicated by the map information stored in the map DB 23a. The virtual route search unit 22c is a virtual route search unit that searches for a virtual route from the current location of the user to the virtual destination set by the virtual destination setting unit 22b. The virtual item setting unit 22d sets an item point where the user can acquire a virtual item on the virtual route searched by the virtual route search unit 22c, and sets the virtual item at the set item point. Virtual item setting means. The guide unit 22e is a guide unit that performs control for guiding the route searched by the route search unit 22a to the user, and guides the user to the item point and the virtual item set by the virtual item setting unit 22d. Control for. Details of processing executed by each component of the control unit 22 will be described later.

(Configuration-Route guidance server-Data recording unit)
The data recording unit 23 is a recording unit that records a program and various data necessary for the operation of the route guidance server 20, and includes a map DB 23a, a user DB 23b, and an item DB 23c. Among these, the map DB 23a and the item DB 23c can be configured in substantially the same manner as the map DB 17a and the item DB 17b of the navigation device 10, respectively, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The user DB 23b is user information storage means for storing information about the user (hereinafter referred to as user information). As shown in the configuration example of FIG. 4, the user information includes an item “user ID”, an item “login date”, an item “login point”, an item “logout date”, an item “logout point”, and an item “cumulative item acquisition”. The information corresponding to the “number of times” and the item “cumulative points” is associated with each other. Information corresponding to the item “user ID” is user identification information for uniquely identifying each user. The information corresponding to the item “login date and time” is the date and time when each user logged into the route guidance server 20 (use of the route guidance server 20 was started). For example, “2013/01/16/08: 25” , Indicates that the user logged in at 8:25 on January 16, 2013. The information corresponding to the item “login point” is the current location of the host vehicle when each user logs in to the navigation device 10. Indicates that you have logged in. The information corresponding to the item “logout date / time” is the date / time when each user logged out from the route guidance server 20 (use of the route guidance server 20 was terminated). For example, “2013/01/16/08: 51” , Log out at 8:51 on January 16, 2013. The information corresponding to the item “logout point” is the current location of the own vehicle when each user logs out from the route guidance server 20. For example, “35.82, 136.14” is specified by coordinates of latitude 136.14 at latitude 35.82. Indicates that you have logged out at a point. The information corresponding to the item “cumulative item acquisition count” is the total number of times each user has acquired the item. The information corresponding to the item “total points” is the total number of points acquired by each user. The user information configured in this way is stored in the user DB 23b by an item guidance process described later.

(Configuration-Network)
In FIG. 1, a network 30 is a communication network that enables a navigation device 10 mounted on each of a plurality of vehicles and a common route guidance server 20 to communicate with each other, such as an FM multiplex VICS communication network, It is configured as an optical VICS communication network, a DCM (Data Communication Module) communication network, or a mobile radio communication network.

(processing)
Next, an item guidance process executed by the route guidance system 1 configured as described above will be described. 5 to 7 are flowcharts of the item guidance process. This process is a process for performing route guidance. For example, after the power is supplied to the route guidance server 20 and the navigation device 10, the route guidance server 20 and the navigation device 10 are automatically activated. Item guidance processing is executed. Here, when the route guidance server 20 and the plurality of navigation devices 10 are activated, the item guidance processing is executed in parallel by the route guidance server 20 and each of the plurality of navigation devices 10. Note that, among the steps of this process, the steps not specified are executed by the control unit 16 of the navigation device 10 or the control unit 22 of the route guidance server 20. In the following description of each process, the step is abbreviated as “S”.

  First, as shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 22 of the route guidance server 20 monitors whether or not the navigation device 10 has logged in to the route guidance server 20 (SA1). For example, when a predetermined operation by the user is performed via the touch panel 13 of the navigation device 10 and the use of the route guidance system 1 is instructed, the control unit 16 of the navigation device 10 uses the route guidance server 20. A login request is transmitted to the control unit 22, and login processing is performed in a predetermined procedure based on the login request. And when this login process is completed, the control part 22 determines with the login by the navigation apparatus 10 having been performed.

  When there is a login in this way (SA1, Yes), the control unit 22 stores the login date and time and the login point in the user DB 23b in association with the user ID (SA2). For example, as the login date and time, the current date and time are acquired by a known method. The user ID and the login point are acquired from the navigation device 10. That is, the control unit 16 of the navigation device 10 transmits a user ID preset in the data recording unit 17 to the route guidance server 20 when transmitting a login request to the route guidance server 20. Further, when the control unit 16 logs into the route guidance server 20, the control unit 16 acquires the coordinates of the current location of the host vehicle via the current location acquisition unit 11, and acquires the acquired coordinates to the route guidance server 20 via the communication unit 12. Send. However, when the vehicle is not in an environment where the coordinates of the current location can be acquired, this transmission cannot be performed. Therefore, the control unit 16 stores only the login date and time in the user DB 23b in association with the user ID.

  Next, the control unit 22 of the route guidance server 20 determines whether or not a login point has been acquired from the navigation device 10 in SA2 (SA3). If it is determined that the login point could not be acquired (SA3, No), the virtual item setting unit 22d cannot determine the item attribute based on the login point, so the item attribute is arbitrarily set in SA4 to SA7. decide. Although the method of arbitrarily determining in this way is literally arbitrary, an example will be described below.

  First, the virtual item setting unit 22d determines an arbitrary number of items (SA4). As this determination method, for example, a method of setting the same number as the number determined in the previous SA4, a method of increasing or decreasing by a predetermined number from the number determined in the previous SA4, or a completely random determination A method can be mentioned.

  Next, the virtual item setting unit 22d determines the number of item points corresponding to the number of items determined in SA4 as an arbitrary point on the map (SA5). As this determination method, for example, a method of setting the same point as the point determined in the previous SA5, a method of setting a predetermined distance from the point determined in the previous SA5, or a method of determining completely at random. Can be mentioned. However, if the item location does not fluctuate, it is expected that the user who can acquire the item will be biased, which is not preferable, so select a decision method that will be as different as possible from the location decided in the previous SA5 For example, it is preferable to determine completely at random. However, in either method, only points that are legally and safely reachable by the user are determined as item points. For example, water, private land, or restricted areas such as factories are excluded from item points, If the vehicle is moving by vehicle, exclude places where the vehicle cannot enter (sidewalks, etc.), or if the user is moving on foot, remove places that cannot be walked (automobile roads, etc.) (The same applies to the determination of item points below.) For this reason, the user's moving means may be transmitted from the navigation device 10 to the route guidance server 20 at the time of login.

  Next, the virtual item setting unit 22d determines the point of the item to be arranged at the item point determined in SA5 as an arbitrary point (SA6). As this determination method, for example, a method of setting the same point as the point determined in the previous SA6, a method of setting a point different from the point determined in the previous SA6, a method of setting a predetermined point, or completely random The method of determining can be mentioned.

  Next, the guide unit 22e determines an item display period of an item to be arranged at the item point determined in SA5 as an arbitrary period (SA7). As this determination method, for example, a method for setting the same period as the period determined in the previous SA7, a method for setting a period different from the period determined in the previous SA7, a predetermined period (one day, one week, one month) Or any other method) or a method of determining completely at random.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7, based on the item attributes determined in SA4 to SA7, items are displayed on the map screen in the navigation device 10 (SA8). Specifically, the guidance unit 22e of the route guidance server 20 sends the coordinates of the item point determined in SA5, the point determined in SA6, and the item display period determined in SA7 to the navigation device 10 via the communication unit 21. Send. The guide unit 16b of the navigation device 10 that has received the information via the communication unit 12 has received the coordinates of the received item point with respect to the map displayed on the display 14 based on the map information acquired from the map DB 17a. The image of the item corresponding to the received point is superimposed and displayed at the position. At this time, the item image is acquired as an image corresponding to the point range that matches the received point by referring to the item DB 17b based on the received point. Alternatively, for example, the image of each item may be transmitted to the navigation device 10 by the guidance unit 22e of the route guidance server 20 each time. By performing such processing, an image of the item “gold coin”, the item “gold coin bundle”, or the item “gold bullion” is superimposed and displayed on the map on the display 14 of the navigation device 10. By viewing this image, it is possible to grasp the position and point range of the item. Each time such a display is performed, the fact that the item is displayed is displayed on the display 14 by a text message or output from the speaker 15 by a synthesized voice, thereby indicating that the item has been arranged. May be notified.

  After displaying the item in this way, the guide unit 16b monitors whether the user has acquired the item (SA9). For example, the item processing unit acquires the current location of the host vehicle via the current location acquisition unit 11 at a predetermined interval (for example, every 10 seconds), and the acquired current location is within a predetermined range centered on the item point (for example, 10 m). If it has not reached, it is determined that the item has not been acquired. If it has been reached, it is determined that the item has been acquired. When a plurality of items are displayed, this determination is performed for each of these items (same for SA10).

  And when it determines with having acquired no item (SA9, No), the guidance part 16b determines whether the item display period of each item received from the route guidance server 20 passed (SA10). And when it determines with the item display period not having passed (SA10, No), it returns to step SA8. Thereafter, SA8 to SA10 are repeated until it is determined that the item has been acquired or until it is determined that the item display period has elapsed.

  If it is determined that the item has been acquired before determining that the item display period has elapsed (SA9, Yes), the guidance unit 16b indicates that the item has been acquired and the acquired point on the display 14 by text message. By displaying or outputting from the speaker 15 with synthesized voice, the user is notified that the item has been acquired, and at the same time, the acquired item is deleted from the display 14 (SA11).

  Next, the points of the user who acquired the item are updated (SA12). Specifically, the guidance unit 16 b transmits the item ID of the acquired item to the route guidance server 20. Receiving this transmission, the guide unit 22e of the route guidance server 20 acquires a point corresponding to the transmitted item ID from the item DB 23c. Then, the guide unit 22e refers to the user DB 23b, specifies the accumulated item acquisition count and the accumulated points stored in association with the login ID acquired when the user logs in, and increments the accumulated item acquisition count by one. At the same time, the cumulative points are incremented by the points acquired from the item DB 23c.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the item display period has elapsed before determining that the item has been acquired (SA10, Yes), the guide unit 16b displays a text message on the display 14 indicating that the item is to be deleted, By outputting the synthesized voice from the speaker 15 or the like, the user is notified that the item is to be erased, and at the same time, the item for which the item display period has elapsed is erased from the display 14 (SA13).

  Next, after SA12 or SA13, the control unit 22 of the route guidance server 20 monitors whether the navigation device 10 has logged out from the route guidance server 20 (SA14). For example, when a predetermined operation by the user is performed via the touch panel 13 of the navigation device 10 and an instruction to end the use of the route guidance system 1 is given, the control unit 16 of the navigation device 10 uses the route guidance server 20. A logout request is transmitted to the control unit 22, and logout processing is performed in a predetermined procedure based on the logout request. When the logout process is completed, the control unit 22 determines that the logout by the navigation device 10 has occurred.

  Until it is determined that there is a logout (SA14, No), SA8 to SA14 are repeated, and when it is determined that there is a logout (SA14, Yes), the control unit 22 corresponds the logout date and time and the logout point to the user ID. Then, it is stored in the user DB 23b (SA15). For example, the logout date / time is obtained by a known method. The logout point is acquired from the navigation device 10. That is, when the control unit 16 of the navigation apparatus 10 logs out from the route guidance server 20, the control unit 16 acquires the coordinates of the current location of the host vehicle via the current location acquisition unit 11 and routes the acquired coordinates via the communication unit 12. It transmits to the guidance server 20. However, when the vehicle is not in an environment where the coordinates of the current location can be acquired, this transmission cannot be performed. Therefore, the control unit 22 stores only the logout date and time in the user DB 23b in association with the user ID. This completes the route guidance process.

  Next, a case where it is determined in SA3 of FIG. 5 that the login point has been acquired will be described. In this case (SA3, Yes), the virtual item setting unit 22d of the route guidance server 20 determines whether the user's virtual destination can be set (SA16). For example, the virtual item setting unit 22d acquires the current date and time by a known method, acquires user information corresponding to the user ID of the user acquired at the time of login from the user DB 23b, and includes the user information in the acquired user information. It is determined whether or not a predetermined number or more of records that match the acquired login point and the acquired current date and time are included. As such a record, for example, it is a record including a login point that is the same as the acquired login point or within a predetermined distance (for example, within 50 m), and the time corresponding to the acquired current date and time is the logout date from the login date and time. Get the records contained in the hour. In addition, as the “predetermined number”, a number serving as a reference for determining whether or not the user's virtual destination can be set to some degree accurately is set, for example, a predetermined number = 10 is set. If a predetermined number or more of such records are included, it is determined that a virtual destination can be set. If a predetermined number or more is not included, the virtual destination cannot be set. judge.

  When it is determined that the virtual destination cannot be set (SA16, No), the virtual item setting unit 22d cannot determine the item attribute based on the virtual destination, and therefore determines the item attribute in SA17 to SA22. To do.

  First, the virtual item setting unit 22d determines an arbitrary number of items (SA17). This determination can be performed in the same manner as SA4.

  Next, the virtual item setting unit 22d determines whether or not the user has a large record of using the item guidance function (SA18). For example, the control unit 22 acquires the accumulated item acquisition count and accumulated points corresponding to the user ID of the user acquired at the time of login from the user DB 23b, and calculates the accumulated login count and the accumulated login time. The total number of logins is the total number of times a user has logged into the item guidance server, and is calculated as the number of records of the user. The accumulated login time is the accumulated time when the user logs in to the item guidance server, and is calculated by adding up the elapsed time from the login date and time to the logout date and time in each record of the user. Then, the virtual item setting unit 22d determines whether or not each of the accumulated item acquisition count, the accumulated points, the accumulated login count, and the accumulated login time is a predetermined number or more. Determines that the usage record is high, and determines that the usage record is low if at least one is not a predetermined number or more. Here, as the “predetermined number”, a number serving as a reference for selecting a user (a user with a low usage record in the present embodiment) who should particularly increase the motivation to use the item guidance function is set. For example, a predetermined number of cumulative item acquisition times = 5, a predetermined number of cumulative points = 10, a cumulative number of logins = 10, and a cumulative login time = 60 minutes.

  If it is determined that the usage record is small (SA18, No), the virtual item setting unit 22d determines the item point within a relatively narrow predetermined range (SA19). For example, the virtual item setting unit 22d sets three ranges of a radius of 1 km, a radius of 5 km, and a radius of 10 km around the current location of the vehicle, and sets at least one item point in each range. At this time, the item points are set so that the total number of item points becomes the number of items determined in SA17 (the same applies to SA20).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the usage record is large (SA18, Yes), the virtual item setting unit 22d determines the item point within a relatively wide predetermined range (SA20). For example, the control unit 22 sets three ranges of a radius of 5 km, a radius of 10 km, and a radius of 30 km around the current location of the vehicle, and sets one item point for each range.

  Next, the virtual item setting unit 22d determines an item point (SA21). Here, the item point determined in SA19 or SA20 is determined such that the point becomes higher as the item point is separated from the login point specified in SA2. For example, when the item point is determined in SA19, the item point of the item point set within the radius of 1 km is “3”, and the item point of the item point set within the radius of 5 km is “5”. The item point of the item point set within the radius of 10 km is determined as “7”. Alternatively, when the item point is determined in SA20, the item point of the item point set within the radius of 5 km is “3”, and the item point of the item point set within the radius of 10 km is “5”. The item point of the item point set within the radius of 30 km is determined as “7”.

  Next, the guide unit 22e determines the item display period as an arbitrary period (SA22). This determination can be performed in the same manner as SA7.

  Thereafter, SA8 to SA15 in FIG. 7 are performed in the same manner as described above based on the item attributes determined in SA17 to SA22. By performing such processing, the user can acquire items or the like in a range based on the login point and according to the use record of the item guidance function by the user.

  Next, a case where it is determined in SA16 in FIG. 5 that a virtual destination can be set will be described. In this case (SA16, Yes), as shown in FIG. 6, the virtual destination setting unit 22b of the control unit 22 sets a virtual destination (SA23). For example, the virtual destination setting unit 22b acquires user information corresponding to the user ID of the user acquired at the time of login from the user DB 23b, as in SA16 of FIG. 5, and acquires this user information by a known method. The record corresponding to the current date and time is specified. Then, a logout point is acquired from the specified record, and the number of appearances for each acquired logout point is calculated. Next, logout points are identified by a predetermined number (in the present embodiment, four as described above) for setting virtual destinations in descending order of the calculated number of appearances, and each identified logout point is designated as a virtual destination. Set. In the user information, when a destination is set in the past by the user, the coordinates of the past destination may be stored, and this destination may be used instead of the logout point.

  Thereafter, the virtual route search unit 22c searches for a virtual route (SA24). As described above, this virtual route is searched for as a route from the current location of the vehicle to the virtual destination. At this time, the login point acquired in SA2 is set in the current location of the vehicle. Each of the predetermined number of virtual destinations set in SA23 is set as the virtual destination. As the virtual route, as described above, three types of virtual routes of “recommended route”, “detour route”, and “detour route” are searched. In addition, since the setting method of each virtual route with respect to each of the predetermined number (four in the present embodiment, the above-described virtual destinations) can be performed in the same manner, a specific one virtual destination is described below. An example of setting a virtual route for the ground will be described.

  For example, the recommended route is searched as a route that minimizes the search cost required from the current location of the vehicle to the virtual destination. This search can be performed by a known search method such as the Dijkstra method. A plurality of candidate routes that can be used from the current location of the vehicle to the virtual destination are specified, and information on each link on each candidate route is obtained from the map DB 23a. The search cost of each candidate route is calculated by acquiring and accumulating the search cost of each link for each candidate route. At this time, the search cost of each link can be determined in consideration of the road type and the increase / decrease in cost due to traffic jams in addition to the length of each link. Then, the candidate route having the smallest calculated search cost is set as a recommended route. As can be seen from the determination method, the recommended travel searched in this way has the minimum travel distance among the three types of virtual routes, and the increased travel distance is zero.

  As for the detour route, as described above, when it is assumed that the recommended route includes a detour-necessary portion, the detour route is searched as a route for detouring the detour-necessary portion. For example, the position and range of a detour required place such as traffic jam or construction are virtually set for the recommended route. The specific method of this setting is arbitrary. For example, based on information from the road traffic center or probe information from each vehicle, the actual traffic jam or construction position and range are specified, and the specified position and range are specified. You may set a detour required part so that it may fit. However, in the present embodiment, it is preferable to set the detour required places at random so as not to be the same place every time. In particular, in this embodiment, in order to set two types of detour routes for one virtual destination, at least two detour necessary locations are set. Then, two types of detour routes are searched by searching for a route that can detour each of the necessary detour points set as described above with a minimum cost. As can be seen from the determination method, each of the two bypass routes searched in this way has a longer travel distance than the recommended route, and the increased travel distance is greater than zero.

  Further, as described above, the circuitous route is searched as a route from the current location of the vehicle to the virtual destination via the virtual relay point. Although the specific setting method of this virtual relay place is arbitrary, it sets so that the reach | attainment travel distance of a detour route may become the maximum among three types of virtual routes. For example, it is randomly set as a virtual relay point from points between the current location and the virtual destination that are located outside the recommended route and the detour route. In particular, in the present embodiment, two virtual relay points are set in order to set two circuitous routes for one virtual destination. Then, by searching for a route that can pass through each virtual relay point set in this way at a minimum cost by a known search method, a circuitous route is searched. As can be seen from the determination method, the roundabout route searched in this way has a reaching travel distance larger than that of the detour route, and the increased travel distance is greater than the increased travel distance of the detour route.

  Next, the virtual item setting unit 22d determines whether or not the user has a large record of using the item guidance function (SA25). This determination can be performed in the same manner as SA18.

  If the virtual item setting unit 22d determines that the usage record is small (SA25, No), the virtual item setting unit 22d determines the number of items to be a relatively large number (SA26), and determines that the usage record is high (SA25, Yes). The number of items is determined to be a relatively small number (SA27). For example, the virtual item setting unit 22d sets the number of items = 50 when the cumulative point of the user is less than 10, and sets the number of items = 15 when the cumulative point is 10 or more and less than 50. Is 50 or more, the number of items = 10. Or it is not such a discrete standard, but a graph with the horizontal axis as the cumulative points and the vertical axis as the number of items, and as the cumulative points increase, the number of items decreases as a quadratic function Alternatively, a quadratic function graph may be prepared, and the number of items may be determined with reference to the quadratic function graph.

  Next, the virtual item setting unit 22d determines an item point (SA28). For example, the virtual item setting unit 22d sets at least one item point for each of the three types of virtual routes searched for in SA24: “recommended route”, “detour route”, and “detour route”. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, the item point set to the recommended route is set within a relatively close range (for example, within 5 km) from the log-in point, so that the items placed on the recommended route can be easily acquired. It is preferable to do. At this time, if the item location does not change, it is expected that the user who can acquire the item will be biased, which is not preferable. Therefore, a determination method that makes the location as different as possible from the location determined in the previous SA28 is used. For example, it is preferable to set the position at a position more than a predetermined distance (for example, 3 km or more) away from the point determined in the previous SA28. The item points are set so that the total number of item points becomes the number of items determined in SA26 or SA27.

  Next, the virtual item setting unit 22d determines an item point (SA29). For example, the point is determined based on the distance from the current location (login point) of the vehicle to the item point, and the point of the item set as the item point increases as the distance to the item point increases. To decide. However, instead of considering only the distance from the current location to the item point, the points are set in consideration of the above-mentioned increased travel distance, and the item points are arranged in the order of recommended route, detour route, and detour route. Decide to be higher. For example, the item point to be placed at the item point set to “Recommended Route” is set within the minimum range, the item point to be placed at the item point set to “Detour Route” is set within the intermediate range, The point of the item to be placed at the item point set to “detour route” is set in the maximum range. For this purpose, for example, a graph in which the horizontal axis is a point and the vertical axis is an increased travel distance, a quadratic function graph in which the point becomes higher in a quadratic function as the increased travel distance increases. The points may be determined by referring to this quadratic function graph.

  Next, the guide unit 22e determines an item display period (SA30). For example, the item display period is determined according to the type of the virtual route in which the item point is set, and the item display period of the item is lengthened as the item point is higher. More specifically, the item display period of the item placed at the item point set to “recommended route” is “1 day”, and the item display period of the item placed at the item point set to “detour route” is “1 week” is set, and the item display period of the item placed at the item point set to “detour route” is set to “1 month”.

  Thereafter, SA8 to SA15 in FIG. 7 are performed in the same manner as described above based on the item attributes determined in SA26 to SA30. By performing such processing, the user can acquire items in a range based on the virtual destination and in accordance with the usage record of the item guidance function by the user.

(effect)
As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the virtual items that can be acquired by the user are arranged on the virtual route of the map using the route guidance function, the user is motivated to use the route guidance function. It is possible to increase the use time and use frequency of the route guidance function.

  Also, the higher the difficulty of going to the item point of the virtual item, the higher the value of the virtual item placed at the item point, so the user's effort to acquire the virtual item and the value of the virtual item are mutually Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately increase the motivation to acquire a virtual item using the route guidance function.

  In addition, since the virtual item is arranged on the recommended route where the search cost for the user to the virtual destination is the minimum cost, the user can acquire the virtual item at the minimum cost, and the virtual item can be obtained using the route guidance function. It is possible to further increase the motivation to win.

  In addition, the virtual item is placed on a non-recommended route where the search cost for the user reaching the virtual destination is greater than the minimum cost, and the value of the virtual item placed at the item point increases as the distance to the item point increases. By placing a high-value virtual item on a non-recommended route where the search cost for the user to reach a virtual destination is higher than the recommended route, the effort for the user to acquire the virtual item and the value of the virtual item are mutually Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately increase the motivation to acquire a virtual item using the route guidance function.

  In addition, the higher the value of a virtual item, the longer the guidance time for guiding the virtual item. Therefore, for a virtual item that is easy to acquire, it is acquired early by guiding only a relatively short guidance time. For a virtual item that is difficult to acquire and motivate the user, it is possible to prevent the willingness to acquire by performing guidance in a relatively long guidance time.

  In addition, since the appearance state of the virtual item is determined based on the usage history information of the user, for example, for the user who has a large number of logins, the number of virtual items is reduced. It is possible to avoid bias in the acquisition situation, and it is possible to appropriately increase the motivation to acquire a virtual item using the route guidance function.

  In addition, since the number of appearances of the virtual item is increased as the total number of logins, the total login time, the virtual item total acquisition number, and the virtual item total acquisition value are small, By making many appear, it is possible to create a situation where it is easy to acquire a virtual item, and it is possible to appropriately increase the motivation to acquire a virtual item using the route guidance function.

[Modifications to Embodiment]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the specific configuration and means of the present invention can be arbitrarily modified and improved within the scope of the technical idea of each invention described in the claims. Can do. Hereinafter, such a modification will be described.

(About problems to be solved and effects of the invention)
First, the problems to be solved by the invention and the effects of the invention are not limited to the above contents, and may vary depending on the implementation environment and details of the configuration of the invention. May be solved, or only some of the effects described above may be achieved. For example, even when the user's motivation to use the route guidance function cannot be improved, if the guidance of the virtual item can be achieved by a technique different from the conventional technique, the problem of the present invention is It has been resolved.

(About distribution and integration)
Further, each of the electrical components described above is functionally conceptual and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the specific forms of distribution and integration of each unit are not limited to those shown in the drawings, and all or a part thereof may be functionally or physically distributed or integrated in arbitrary units according to various loads or usage conditions. Can be configured. For example, all or some of the components of the route guidance server 20 may be incorporated into the navigation device 10, all or some of the components of the navigation device 10 may be incorporated into the route guidance server 20, or the navigation device 10 or Each of the route guidance server 20 may be configured by a plurality of devices.

(About item attributes)
In the above embodiment, the case where the item appearance state, the item point, the point, and the item display period exist as the item attribute has been described. However, any other item attribute may be set, for example, the item The size of the image when displaying the item, the blinking period when displaying the item in a blinking manner, the attribute of the road on which the item is placed (only general roads, only highways, etc.) may be set. Further, all or part of the item attributes may be fixedly set.

(About virtual routes)
In the above embodiment, the case where the recommended route and the non-recommended route (the detour route and the detour route) are set as the virtual route has been described. However, either one of them may be omitted, or another route may be used. It may be set. For example, for users with a low usage record, set only the recommended route, set an item point for the recommended route, and for users with a high usage history, set only the detour route, An item point may be set in the route.

(Relationship with usage results)
In the above embodiment, as the user's usage record is small, the item point is set to a relatively narrow range or the number of appearances of the item is increased. However, as the user's use record is small, the item point is compared. A wide range may be set, the number of appearances of an item may be reduced, or it may be set regardless of the use record of the user. In addition, the user's usage record may be determined based on at least one of the accumulated login count, accumulated login time, virtual item accumulated acquisition count, and virtual item accumulated acquisition value. The determination can be made based on any combination of two or more.

(About guidance)
The guidance method of item points and virtual items can be determined arbitrarily. For example, guidance can be performed only by voice output, guidance can be performed only by display output, or guidance can be performed by both voice output and display output. Good.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Route guidance system 10 Navigation apparatus 11 Present location acquisition part 12, 21 Communication part 13 Touch panel 14 Display 15 Speaker 16, 22 Control part 16a, 22a Route search part 16b, 22e Guide part 17, 23 Data recording part 17a, 23a Map DB
17b, 23c Item DB
20 route guidance server 22b virtual destination setting unit 22c virtual route searching unit 22d virtual item setting unit 23b user DB
30 network

Claims (9)

Map information storage means for storing map information;
Route search means for searching for a route from the current location of the user to the destination based on the map information stored in the map information storage means;
A route guidance system including guidance means for performing control for guiding the route searched by the route search means to the user,
Virtual destination setting means for setting the virtual destination of the user on the map indicated by the map information stored in the map information storage means;
Virtual route search means for searching for a virtual route from the current location of the user to the virtual destination set by the virtual destination setting means;
On the virtual route searched by the virtual route searching means, an item point where the user can acquire a virtual item is set, and a virtual item setting means for setting the virtual item at the set item point And
The guidance means performs control for guiding the item point set by the virtual item setting means and the virtual item to the user.
Route guidance system. The virtual item setting means increases the value of the virtual item placed at the item point as the distance from the current location to the item point set on the virtual route increases.
The route guidance system according to claim 1. The virtual route search means searches for a recommended route that minimizes the search cost required from the current location to the virtual destination as the virtual route.
The route guidance system according to claim 1 or 2. The virtual route search means searches for a non-recommended route in which the search cost required from the current location to the virtual destination is larger than the search cost of the recommended route as the virtual route,
The virtual item setting means is configured such that a distance from the current location to the item point set on the non-recommended route is a reference distance from the current location to the item point set on the recommended route. The higher the value, the higher the value of the virtual item placed at the item point.
The route guidance system according to claim 3. The guidance means increases the guidance time for guiding the virtual item as the value of the virtual item set by the virtual item setting means is higher.
The route guidance system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Usage history for specifying at least one of the user's accumulated login count, the user's accumulated login time, the user's accumulated virtual item acquisition count, and the user's accumulated virtual item acquisition value for the virtual item guidance system Use history information storage means for storing information,
The virtual item setting means determines the appearance state of the virtual item on the virtual route based on the usage history information stored in the usage history information storage means.
The route guidance system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The virtual item setting means is configured such that, as at least one of the accumulated login count, the accumulated login time, the virtual item accumulated acquisition count, and the virtual item accumulated acquisition value decreases, the virtual item appearance count on the virtual route Increase,
The route guidance system according to claim 6. Based on the map information stored in the map information storage means for storing the map information, a route search step for searching a route from the current location of the user to the destination, and the route searched in the route search step to the user A route guidance method including a guidance step for performing control for guidance,
A virtual destination setting step of setting the virtual destination of the user on the map indicated by the map information stored in the map information storage means;
A virtual route search step for searching for a virtual route from the current location of the user to the virtual destination set in the virtual destination setting step;
A virtual item setting step of setting an item point where the user can acquire a virtual item on the virtual route searched in the virtual route searching step, and setting the virtual item at the set item point; Including
In the guidance step, control is performed for guiding the item point and the virtual item set in the virtual item setting step to the user.
Route guidance method. A route guidance program for causing a computer to execute the route guidance method according to claim 8.

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