JP2020190467A - Traffic information provision system, traffic information provision device and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a traffic information provision system, a traffic information provision device and a computer program capable of selecting and providing traffic information responding to a request of a user and related to the user.SOLUTION: When a user designates a point for requesting traffic information around, the point is acquired as an information request object point 61, a route from the present position of the user to a destination of the user via the information request object point is acquired as information provision object routes 62, 63, and traffic information along the information provision object routes in traffic information included in a peripheral area of the information request point is guided. On the other hand, when the user designates an area for requesting traffic information, the area is acquired as an information request object area, a route from the present position of the user to the destination of the user via the information request object area is acquired as an information provision object route, and traffic information along the information provision object route in traffic information included in the information request object area is guided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to a traffic information providing system, a traffic information providing device, and a computer program that provide traffic information in response to a user's request.

Conventionally, in various information terminals such as in-vehicle navigation devices, mobile phones, smartphones, tablet terminals, and personal computers (hereinafter referred to as navigation devices), map information including information on road networks and facilities has been used as various storage devices. It is possible to acquire it by storing it or downloading it from a server or the like and provide it to the user. In addition, in a navigation device or the like, the user's current position is specified by using a current position measurement system such as GPS, and guidance is provided on a map, or a route to a destination set by the user is searched for and guided. It was also done about that.

Furthermore, conventional navigation devices and the like not only display map images and the user's current position, but also provide traffic information such as road congestion conditions and accidents that have occurred on the road in order to further improve user convenience. Was also done. Various methods can be considered as a method of providing traffic information. For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-145235, it is specified by designating a section on a road where a user wants to know traffic information. A navigation device that provides traffic information for a section is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-145235 (pages 6-8)

Here, the traffic information around the user's current position includes a lot of traffic information that has nothing to do with the user. Therefore, when providing traffic information, it is particularly important to select and provide the traffic information desired by the user and the traffic information related to the user.

In Patent Document 1 above, the user is required to specify a section on a road for which traffic information is desired to be provided, but in order to specify a section on the road, information for specifying the road or section (for example, a road name or a road) It is necessary to let the user enter the number). In particular, in the case of voice input, it is difficult to input the road name and road number for which traffic information is desired unless the user knows in advance. Further, although it is possible to let the user specify the start point and the end point of the section, there is a problem that the operation load for the user increases because the operation for designating each of the two points of the start point and the end point is required.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and can be requested by the user by a simple input operation for designating a point where the user requests traffic information in the vicinity or an area for which the traffic information is requested. An object of the present invention is to provide a traffic information providing system, a traffic information providing device, and a computer program that can select and provide traffic information related to a user with the corresponding traffic information.

In order to achieve the above object, the first traffic information providing system according to the present invention includes an information request target point acquisition means for acquiring a point at which a user requests traffic information in the vicinity as an information request target point, and the information request target point. Of the information provision target route acquisition means for acquiring the route from the user's current position to the user's destination as the information provision target route, and the traffic information included in the area around the information request target point, It has an information guidance means for guiding traffic information along the information provision target route.
The term "guidance of traffic information" includes not only guiding the contents of traffic information but also guiding the existence of traffic information.

Further, the second traffic information providing system according to the present invention includes an information request target area acquisition means for acquiring an area for which the user requests traffic information as an information request target area, and a user's information request target area via the information request target area. Information provision target route acquisition means for acquiring a route from the current position to the user's destination as an information provision target route, and traffic along the information provision target route among the traffic information included in the information request target area. It has an information guidance means for guiding information.

In addition, the traffic information providing device according to the present invention includes an information request target point acquisition means for acquiring a point at which the user requests traffic information in the vicinity as an information request target point, and a user's current state via the information request target point. The information provision target route acquisition means for acquiring the route from the position to the user's destination as the information provision target route, and the traffic information included in the area around the information request target point, along the information provision target route. It has an information guidance means for guiding traffic information.

Further, the computer program according to the present invention is a computer program that provides a user with traffic information in response to a request. Specifically, the computer is used as an information request target point acquisition means for acquiring a point at which the user requests traffic information in the vicinity as an information request target point, and a user's current position from the user's current position via the information request target point. Information provision target route acquisition means for acquiring the route to the destination as the information provision target route, and traffic information along the information provision target route among the traffic information included in the area around the information request target point. It functions as an information guidance means to guide.

According to the traffic information providing system, the traffic information providing device, and the computer program according to the present invention having the above-described configuration, a simple input operation for designating a point where the user requests traffic information in the vicinity or an area for requesting traffic information is performed. , It is possible to select and provide traffic information that meets the user's request and is related to the user. In particular, when requesting traffic information by voice input, even if the user does not know the specific information (road name, road number, etc.) for identifying the road requesting the traffic information. , It becomes possible to easily request traffic information.

It is a schematic block diagram which showed the traffic information provision system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a block diagram which showed the structure of the traffic information provision system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a block diagram which showed the navigation device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart of the guidance information provision processing program which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which showed an example of the method of providing the traffic information when the user specifies the point which requests the traffic information of the surrounding area. It is a figure which showed an example of the method of providing the traffic information when the user specifies the area which requests the traffic information. It is a figure which showed an example of the method of providing the traffic information when the user specifies the point which requests the traffic information of the surrounding area.

Hereinafter, the traffic information providing system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings based on a specific embodiment. First, the schematic configuration of the traffic information providing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a traffic information providing system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the traffic information providing system 1 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the traffic information providing system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a server device 3 included in the information providing center 2 and a navigation device (traffic information providing device) which is a communication (guidance) terminal mounted on the vehicle 4. ) 5 and basically. Further, the server device 3 and the navigation device 5 are configured to be able to send and receive electronic data to and from each other via the communication network 6. Instead of the navigation device 5, for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a personal computer may be used.

Here, the server device 3 provided in the information providing center 2 has a DB in which the traffic information that can be provided to the vehicle 4 is stored, and extracts and distributes the corresponding traffic information in response to a request from the user. It is an information distribution server to be provided. For example, a server device of a VICS center that distributes VICS (registered trademark: Vehicle Information and Communication System) information, and a probe center that collects probe information from each vehicle for statistics and distributes traffic information generated based on the statistical results. This applies to server devices, etc.

On the other hand, the navigation device 5 is mounted on the vehicle 4 and displays a map around the position of the own vehicle based on the stored map data, displays the current position of the vehicle on the map image, and sets a guide route. It is an in-vehicle device that provides movement guidance along the route. Further, the navigation device 5 also guides the user to the traffic information received from an external server such as the server device 3. The details of the navigation device 5 will be described later.

In addition, the communication network 6 includes a large number of base stations located all over the country and a communication company that manages and controls each base station, and the base stations and communication companies are connected to each other by wire (optical fiber, ISDN, etc.) or wirelessly. It is configured by connecting. Here, the base station has a transceiver (transmitter / receiver) and an antenna for communicating with the navigation device 5. Then, while the base station performs wireless communication between the communication companies, it becomes the terminal of the communication network 6 and relays the communication of the navigation device 5 within the range (cell) of the radio wave of the base station with the server device 3. Has a role to play.

Subsequently, the configuration of the server device 3 constituting the traffic information providing system 1 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the server device 3 basically includes a server control ECU 11, a traffic information DB 12 as an information recording means connected to the server control ECU 11, a server-side map DB 13, and a server-side communication device 14. Have.

The server control ECU 11 (electronic control unit) is an electronic control unit that controls the entire server device 3, and is used as a computing device, a CPU 21 as a control device, and a working memory when the CPU 21 performs various arithmetic processes. It is provided with an internal storage device such as a RAM 22, a ROM 23 in which a control program or the like is recorded, and a flash memory 24 for storing a program read from the ROM 23.

Further, the traffic information DB 12 is a storage means for storing traffic information that identifies an event occurring on a road nationwide. Specifically, the traffic information includes information that identifies the type of event occurring on the road (for example, traffic congestion, lane regulation, traffic closure, accident, construction, etc.), and the section or point where the event is occurring. These traffic information is generated based on, for example, probe information collected from a vehicle or information collected by a vehicle detector installed on a road.

Further, the server device 3 distributes the traffic information stored in the traffic information DB 12 to the navigation device 5 in response to the request of the navigation device 5. On the other hand, the navigation device 5 to which the traffic information is distributed executes various processes for guiding the distributed traffic information as described later.

On the other hand, the server-side map DB 13 is a storage means for storing server-side map information, which is the latest version of map information registered based on external input data and input operations. Here, the server-side map information is composed of various information necessary for route search, route guidance, and map display, including the road network. For example, network data including nodes and links indicating the road network, link data related to roads (links), node data related to node points, intersection data related to each intersection, point data related to points such as facilities, and map display for displaying a map. It consists of data, search data for searching a route, search data for searching a point, and the like.

Further, the server-side communication device 14 is a communication device for communicating with the navigation device 5 via the communication network 6.

Next, the schematic configuration of the navigation device 5 mounted on the vehicle 4 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the navigation device 5 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the navigation device 5 according to the present embodiment includes a current position detection unit 31 that detects the current position of the vehicle on which the navigation device 5 is mounted, a data recording unit 32 in which various data are recorded, and a data recording unit 32. A navigation ECU 33 that performs various arithmetic processes based on the input information, an operation unit 34 that receives operations from the user, a liquid crystal display 35 that displays a map around the vehicle, traffic information, etc. to the user, and a route. A speaker 36 that outputs voice guidance regarding guidance, a DVD drive 37 that reads a DVD as a storage medium, a communication module 38 that communicates between an information center such as a probe center or a VICS center, and a voice spoken by an occupant in the vehicle. It has a voice recognition unit 39 for analyzing the above. Further, the navigation device 5 is connected to a microphone 40 or the like that records the utterance voice of the occupant in the vehicle via an in-vehicle network such as CAN.

Hereinafter, each component of the navigation device 5 will be described in order.
The current position detection unit 31 includes a GPS 41, a vehicle speed sensor 42, a steering sensor 43, a gyro sensor 44, and the like, and can detect the current position, direction, vehicle running speed, current time, and the like of the vehicle. .. Here, in particular, the vehicle speed sensor 42 is a sensor for detecting the moving distance and the vehicle speed of the vehicle, generates a pulse according to the rotation of the drive wheels of the vehicle, and outputs the pulse signal to the navigation ECU 33. Then, the navigation ECU 33 calculates the rotation speed and the moving distance of the drive wheels by counting the generated pulses. It is not necessary for the navigation device 5 to include all of the above four types of sensors, and the navigation device 5 may include only one or a plurality of of these sensors.

Further, the data recording unit 32 reads a hard disk (not shown) as an external storage device and a recording medium, a map information DB 45, a distribution information DB 46, a predetermined program, etc. recorded on the hard disk, and outputs predetermined data to the hard disk. It is equipped with a recording head (not shown) that is a driver for writing. The data recording unit 32 may be configured by a flash memory, a memory card, or an optical disk such as a CD or DVD instead of the hard disk. Further, the map information DB 45 may be stored in an external server and acquired by the navigation device 5 by communication.

Here, the map information DB 45 is for displaying, for example, link data related to roads (links), node data related to node points, search data used for processing related to route search, facility data related to points such as facilities, and a map. It is a storage means that stores map display data, intersection data for each intersection, search data for searching a point, and the like.

Further, the distribution information DB 46 is a storage means for storing the distribution information distributed from the server device 3.

On the other hand, the navigation ECU (electronic control unit) 33 is an electronic control unit that controls the entire navigation device 5, and is a computing device, a CPU 51 as a control device, and a working memory when the CPU 51 performs various arithmetic processes. From the ROM 53 and ROM 53 in which the RAM 52 for storing the route data and the like when the route is searched, the control program, and the traffic information guidance processing program (see FIG. 4) described later are recorded. It is provided with an internal storage device such as a flash memory 54 for storing the read program. The navigation ECU 33 has various means as a processing algorithm together with the server control ECU 11. For example, the information request target point acquisition means acquires a point at which the user requests traffic information in the vicinity as an information request target point. The information provision target route acquisition means acquires a route from the user's current position to the user's destination via the information request target point as the information provision target route. The information guidance means guides the traffic information along the information provision target route among the traffic information included in the area around the information request target point.

The operation unit 34 is operated when inputting a starting point as a traveling start point and a destination as a traveling end point, and is composed of a plurality of operation switches (not shown) such as various keys and buttons. Then, the navigation ECU 33 controls to execute the corresponding various operations based on the switch signals output by pressing each switch or the like. The operation unit 34 can also be configured by a touch panel provided on the front surface of the liquid crystal display 35. Further, if there is a microphone and a voice recognition device, the operation unit 34 may be omitted.

In addition, the liquid crystal display 35 has a map image including roads, traffic information, operation guidance, operation menus, key guidance, guidance information along the guidance route (scheduled travel route), news, weather forecast, time, mail, and television. Programs etc. are displayed. In particular, in the present embodiment, the traffic information distributed from the server device 3 is displayed. A HUD or HMD may be used instead of the liquid crystal display 35.

Further, the speaker 36 outputs voice guidance for guiding the traveling along the guiding route (scheduled traveling route) and traffic information guidance based on the instruction from the navigation ECU 33. In particular, in the present embodiment, the traffic information distributed from the server device 3 is output.

The DVD drive 37 is a drive capable of reading data recorded on a recording medium such as a DVD or a CD. Then, based on the read data, music and video are reproduced, the map information DB 45 is updated, and the like. A card slot for reading and writing a memory card may be provided instead of the DVD drive 37.

Further, the communication module 38 is a communication device for receiving each information such as traffic information transmitted from the server device 3, and corresponds to, for example, a mobile phone or a DCM.

The voice recognition unit 39 is a device that analyzes the voice recorded by the microphone 40 installed in the vehicle. Then, in the navigation device 5 according to the present embodiment, the voice uttered by the occupant of the vehicle is recognized by the voice recognition unit 39, and various input operations can be performed by the user based on the recognized voice content. In particular, in the present embodiment, when the user requests traffic information, it is used when the user inputs (voice input) a point where the user requests traffic information in the vicinity or an area where the user requests traffic information.

Further, the microphone 40 is a device that converts sound into an electric signal, and the sound converted into the electric signal is transmitted to the voice recognition unit 39. Here, the microphone 40 is attached to the upper surface of the instrument panel, and is installed so that the sound collecting direction is the seat direction.

Subsequently, a traffic information guidance processing program executed by the CPU 51 in the navigation device 5 constituting the traffic information providing system 1 according to the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the traffic information guidance processing program according to the present embodiment. Here, the traffic information guidance processing program is a program that is executed after the ACC power supply (accessory power supply) of the vehicle is turned on and guides the traffic information according to the user's request. The program shown in the flowchart in FIG. 4 below is stored in a RAM 52, a ROM 53, or the like provided in the navigation device 5, and is executed by the CPU 51.

In step 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 1, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the traffic information is requested by the occupant of the vehicle as the user. In the present embodiment, the user particularly requests traffic information by voice input, the CPU 51 recognizes the voice uttered by the occupant of the vehicle by the voice recognition unit 39, and the user traffic based on the recognized voice content. Determine if a request for information has been made. For example, the user's utterance requesting traffic information may be "Is there a traffic jam?" Or "I want to know the situation of ...".

In addition, the utterance of the user who requests the traffic information includes a word that specifies either the "point" where the user requests the traffic information in the vicinity or the "area" where the traffic information is requested. In addition to the facility, the "point" includes a point on a map other than the facility (for example, a place name and an address), a point arbitrarily registered by the user (for example, home), and the like. Further, the "area" includes an area with a narrower concept (for example, a town name, a street address, a school district) in addition to an administrative division such as a city, ward, town, or village. For example, when requesting traffic information around "○○ Hospital", utterances such as "Is there traffic jam around ○○ Hospital?" Or "I want to know the situation around ○○ Hospital" are made. .. For example, when requesting traffic information of "○○ town" as an area, utterances such as "Is XX town congested?" Or "I want to know the situation of XX town" are made.

After that, in S2, the CPU 51 requests the traffic information in the vicinity of the user in the traffic information request determined to be received in S1 based on the recognition result by the voice recognition unit 39 (hereinafter, information request target). Specify either the point) or the "area" that requested the traffic information (hereinafter referred to as the information request target area). When requesting traffic information, the user can also specify a plurality of information request target points or information request target areas, and in that case, a plurality of information request target points or a plurality of information request target areas. Will be identified.

Further, in the present embodiment, the user particularly requests traffic information by voice input, but it is also possible to request traffic information other than voice input. For example, it is possible to request traffic information by operating various operation units such as buttons, cursors, and touch panels. In that case, the information request target point or information request target area is specified based on the received operation content. To do.

Next, in S3, the CPU 51 determines whether or not traveling guidance based on the guidance route is being performed in the current navigation device 5. Here, the guide route corresponds to the recommended route from the departure point to the destination set by the navigation device 5, and is searched by the navigation device 5 or an external server using, for example, a known Dijkstra method. Then, as the traveling guidance based on the guiding route, for example, the guiding route is displayed on the map image, or the right / left turn guidance at the intersection for traveling along the guiding route is performed.

The guidance route set in the navigation device 5 also corresponds to the planned movement route of the user in the future. That is, the case where the navigation device 5 provides traveling guidance based on the guidance route is a case where the planned movement route of the user in the future can be specified.

Then, when it is determined that the current navigation device 5 is performing the traveling guidance based on the guidance route (S3: YES), the process proceeds to S4. On the other hand, when it is determined that the current navigation device 5 does not provide traveling guidance based on the guidance route (S3: NO), the process proceeds to S5.

In S4, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the guidance route set in the navigation device 5, that is, the planned movement route to the destination of the user in the future is a route that passes through the information request target point or the information request target area. To do.

Here, the route to be passed does not necessarily have to be a route passing through the information request target point or the information request target area, for example, a route passing through the information request target point or the road adjacent to the information request target area, or Any route that passes through a road within a predetermined distance from the information request target point or the information request target area may be regarded as a route.

Then, when it is determined that the guidance route set in the navigation device 5, that is, the planned movement route to the destination of the user in the future is a route passing through the information request target point or the information request target area (S4: If YES), the process proceeds to S8. On the other hand, when it is determined that the guidance route set in the navigation device 5, that is, the planned movement route to the destination of the user in the future is not a route that passes through the information request target point or the information request target area (S4). : NO) shifts to S7.

On the other hand, in S5, the CPU 51 acquires the destination of the user in this run. For example, a question asking the user directly about the destination is output by voice, and the destination is acquired based on the user's answer. Further, when the user's schedule can be acquired from a communication terminal such as a smartphone owned by the user, the destination may be acquired based on the user's schedule.

Subsequently, in S6, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the user's destination in the current run could be acquired. When it is determined that the user's destination in the current run can be acquired (S6: YES), the process proceeds to S7. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user's destination in this run could not be obtained (S6: NO), the traffic information related to the user cannot be selected, so the traffic information is guided. The traffic information guidance processing program is terminated without any notice. However, even if it is determined that the user's destination could not be acquired, for example, if the information request target point is specified by the user, the area around the information request target point (for example, within 1 km). You may try to guide all the traffic information of. Similarly, when the information request target area is specified, all the traffic information in the information request target area may be guided.

On the other hand, in S7, the CPU 51 uses the map information possessed by the navigation device 5 to reach the user's destination via the information request target point or the information request target area designated by the user, starting from the user's current position. Acquire the new route to be reached as the information provision target route. Regarding the user's destination, when the guidance route is set in the navigation device 5 (S3: YES), the destination of the guidance route is set as the user's destination. On the other hand, when the guidance route is not set in the navigation device 5 (S3: NO), the destination acquired in S5 is set as the user's destination.

In S7, the CPU 51 is appropriate as a link cost that quantifies the appropriate degree as a route for a link (road) based on link data, node data, search data, etc. included in map information, and as a route for an intersection (node). Calculate the intersection cost that quantifies the degree of the above, the toll cost that quantifies the degree of the cost required for driving, etc., and use each calculated search cost to meet the conditions of the above departure point, destination and waypoint. Search for the information provision target route. For example, using a known Dijkstra method, the route that minimizes the total cost value is set as the information provision target route. Since the route search process using the Dijkstra method is already known, the details will be omitted.

Further, in the search process of the information provision target route, the route is searched for each search condition based on a plurality of search conditions. For example, if there are five search conditions, "recommended", "distance priority", "general road priority", "toll road priority", and "landscape priority", a total of five routes (however, multiple routes are the same route). Will be searched for as an information provision target route. However, the search conditions do not necessarily have to be five, and for example, only two "recommended" and "toll road priority" may be used. Further, the information provision target route may be searched for only one route instead of a plurality of routes.

Further, the search process of the information provision target route may be performed by an external server device (for example, the server device 3) instead of the navigation device 5. In that case, a route search request for requesting a route search is transmitted to the server device, and the information provision target route is searched based on the map information possessed by the server device. Then, the searched result is received from the server device.

On the other hand, in S8, the CPU 51 acquires the guidance route set in the navigation device 5 as the information provision target route.

After that, in S9, the CPU 51 receives the traffic information distributed from the server device 3. If the information request target point is specified, the reception target is around the information request target point, and if the information request target area is specified, only the traffic information in the information request target area is set. You may receive a wider range of traffic information. It may also be used as traffic information around the route for which information is provided. The traffic information received in S9 is stored in the distribution information DB 46.

Next, in S10, when the information request target point is specified in the traffic information received in S9, the CPU 51 designates the area around the information request target point (for example, within 1 km) and the information request target area. If so, the traffic information included in the information request target area is extracted (condition 1). Further, from the traffic information received in S9, the traffic information along the information provision target route (specifically, the traffic information related to the event on the information provision target route) is extracted (condition 2).

In particular, the shape of the peripheral area under condition 1 may be changed depending on the type or scale of the information request target point. For example, when the information request target point is a large-scale facility, the surrounding area is set to be larger than that in the case of a small-scale facility. In addition, when the information request target point is a facility of a genre such as an outlet mall or a theme park that has a large influence on the surrounding roads, the surrounding area is set larger than that of a facility of another genre.

On the other hand, regarding condition 2, the traveling direction of the information provision target route is also taken into consideration. That is, the traffic information corresponding to the traveling direction of the information providing target route is extracted. For example, regarding traffic congestion, only information on traffic congestion occurring in the direction of travel on the information provision target route is extracted, and information on traffic congestion occurring in the direction opposite to the direction of travel is excluded. Then, in S10, it is determined whether or not there is traffic information that satisfies both the conditions 1 and 2.

When it is determined that there is traffic information satisfying both the above conditions 1 and 2 (S10: YES), the process proceeds to S11. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no traffic information satisfying both the above conditions 1 and 2 (S10: NO), the process proceeds to S12.

In S11, the CPU 51 guides traffic information that satisfies both the above conditions 1 and 2. For example, when the user requests traffic information around "○○ Hospital" and there is a traffic jam as traffic information satisfying both the above conditions 1 and 2, "The area around XX Hospital is It outputs a voice guidance saying "There is a traffic jam." In addition, when the user requests the traffic information of "○○ town" as an area and there is a traffic jam as the traffic information satisfying both the above conditions 1 and 2, "the traffic jam in XX town" There is a voice guidance saying "There is." If there is traffic information such as lane restrictions, road closures, accidents, construction, etc. other than traffic congestion, the same traffic information will be provided.

For example, the example shown in FIG. 5 shows an example in which a user requests traffic information around the point 61 as an information request target point and routes 62 and 63 are acquired as information provision target routes. In the example shown in FIG. 5, traffic information included in the peripheral area 64 of the point 61 and along the route 62 and the route 63 is the guidance target. In the example shown in FIG. 5, there is congestion in the link included in the peripheral area 64 and along the route 62, and there is congestion in the link also included in the peripheral area 64 and along the route 63. Therefore, the user is informed that there is a traffic jam around the point 61.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, there is congestion on both the link along the route 62 and the link along the route 63, but even if there is congestion on only one of the routes, the area 65 The user will be informed that there is a traffic jam in the surrounding area. However, the content of the guidance may be changed depending on the number of routes where congestion exists. For example, when there is congestion on both the link along the route 62 and the link along the route 63, the traffic congestion is guided more emphasized than when the congestion exists only on the link along the route 62. You may do so.

On the other hand, the example shown in FIG. 6 shows an example in which the user requests the traffic information of the area 65 as the information request target area and the route 66 is acquired as the information provision target route. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the traffic information included in the area 65 and along the route 66 is the guidance target. In the example shown in FIG. 6, since there is a traffic jam on the link included in the area 65 and along the route 66, the user is informed that the traffic jam exists in the area 65.

Further, in S11, in addition to the existence of traffic information satisfying both the conditions 1 and 2, the content of more detailed traffic information may be provided. For example, in the case of traffic information related to traffic congestion, the section where the traffic congestion is occurring and the degree of traffic congestion may also be targeted for guidance. Further, as the guidance of the traffic information in S11, it is possible to provide guidance using the liquid crystal display 35 in addition to the voice guidance. For example, it is possible to display an icon indicating traffic congestion in a section of a map image where traffic congestion exists.

On the other hand, in S12, the CPU 51 guides that there is no traffic information satisfying both the above conditions 1 and 2. For example, when the user requests traffic information around "○○ Hospital" and there is no traffic information satisfying both the above conditions 1 and 2, "especially traffic around ○○ hospital". There is no disturbance in the traffic. " In addition, when the user requests the traffic information of "○○ town" as an area and there is no traffic information satisfying both the above conditions 1 and 2, "the traffic is particularly disturbed in ○○ town. There is no voice guidance. "

For example, the example shown in FIG. 7 shows an example in which a user requests traffic information around the point 61 as an information request target point and routes 62 and 63 are acquired as information provision target routes. In the example shown in FIG. 7, traffic information included in the peripheral area 64 of the point 61 and along the route 62 and the route 63 is the guidance target. In the example shown in FIG. 7, although there is a traffic jam section as traffic information, there is no traffic jam in the link included in the peripheral area 64 and along the route 62 and the link included in the peripheral area 64 and along the route 63. .. Therefore, the user is informed that there is no event such as traffic congestion around the point 61.

The traffic information guidance processing program (FIG. 4) may be executed by the server device 3 instead of the navigation device 5. In that case, when the user requests traffic information, the information specifying the information request target point or the information request target area is transmitted to the server device 3. Then, after the processing of S3 to S10 is performed in the server device 3, the determination result of S9 is transmitted from the server device 3 to the navigation device 5, and the navigation device 5 is configured to guide S11 or S12.

As described in detail above, in the traffic information providing system 1 and the navigation device 5 according to the present embodiment, when the user specifies a point for requesting traffic information in the vicinity, the point is acquired as an information request target point. (S2), the route from the user's current position to the user's destination via the information request target point is acquired as the information provision target route (S7, S8), and is included in the area around the information request target point. Among the traffic information, the traffic information along the information provision target route is guided (S11). On the other hand, when the user specifies an area for which traffic information is requested, the area is acquired as an information request target area (S2), and the user's current position is moved to the user's destination via the information request target area. The route to be reached is acquired as the information provision target route (S7, S8), and among the traffic information included in the information request target area, the traffic information along the information provision target route is guided (S11). As a result, the traffic information according to the user's request and the traffic information related to the user are selected by a simple input operation for specifying the point where the user requests the traffic information in the vicinity or the area for which the traffic information is requested. It will be possible to provide. In particular, when requesting traffic information by voice input, even if the user does not know the specific information (road name, road number, etc.) for identifying the road requesting the traffic information. , It becomes possible to easily request traffic information.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.
For example, in the present embodiment, an example of guiding traffic information in particular as traffic information has been described, but it can also be applied to guidance of traffic information other than traffic information. For example, there is traffic information such as lane restrictions, road closures, accidents, and construction.

In addition, the user can specify a plurality of information request target points and information request target areas. For example, when a user requests traffic information around "○○ hospital" and "XX department store", the above S2 is set to two places of "○○ hospital" and "XX department store" as information request target points. ~ S12 is processed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the execution subject of the traffic information guidance processing program shown in FIG. 4 is the navigation device 5, but the server device 3 may be configured to execute a part or the whole.

Further, instead of the navigation device 5, the traffic information providing system 1 can be configured by another device having a traveling guidance function. For example, an in-vehicle device other than the navigation device 5, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or the like is possible. In that case, it is possible to provide movement guidance for moving objects (pedestrians, bicycles, etc.) other than the vehicle in addition to the traveling guidance for the vehicle.

Further, although the embodiment in which the traffic information providing system according to the present invention is embodied has been described above, the traffic information providing system can also have the following configurations, and in that case, the following effects are obtained.

For example, the first configuration is as follows.
The information request target point acquisition means (51) that acquires the point where the user requests traffic information in the vicinity as the information request target point (61), and the user's destination from the user's current position via the information request target point. Of the information provision target route acquisition means (51) that acquires the route leading to the information provision target route (62, 63) and the traffic information included in the surrounding area (64) of the information request target point, the information It has an information guidance means (51) for guiding traffic information along a route to be provided.
According to the traffic information providing system having the above configuration, the traffic information according to the user's request and the traffic information related to the user are selected by a simple input operation for specifying the point where the user requests the traffic information in the vicinity. It will be possible to provide. In particular, when requesting traffic information by voice input, even if the user does not know the specific information (road name, road number, etc.) for identifying the road requesting the traffic information. , It becomes possible to easily request traffic information.

The second configuration is as follows.
The information guidance means (51) is along the information provision target route (62, 63) and in the traveling direction of the information provision target route among the traffic information included in the surrounding area of the information request target point (61). We will guide you to the traffic information corresponding to.
According to the traffic information providing system having the above configuration, by considering the traveling direction of the user in particular, the traffic information related to the user is selected for the traffic information related to an event whose influence differs depending on the traveling direction such as a traffic jam. It will be possible to provide.

The third configuration is as follows.
The planned movement route acquisition means (51) for acquiring the planned movement route to the user's destination is provided, and the information provision target route acquisition means (51) uses the planned movement route to obtain the information request target point (61). If the route is via, the planned travel route is acquired as the information provision target route (62, 63), and if the travel schedule route is not a route that passes through the information request target point, the information is provided. Acquire a new target route.
According to the traffic information providing system having the above configuration, when the planned travel route that the user plans to move in the future passes through the information request target point, the traffic information related to the user is accurately obtained by using the planned travel route. It becomes possible to sort into. On the other hand, even if the planned travel route that the user plans to travel in the future does not pass through the information request target point, the traffic related to the user is predicted by predicting the route that the user may travel in the future. Information can be sorted accurately.

The fourth configuration is as follows.
When there are a plurality of candidates for a route from the user's current position to the user's destination via the information request target point, the information provision target route acquisition means (51) selects the plurality of candidates as the information provision target route. The information guidance means (51) guides the traffic information along each route included in the information provision target route among the traffic information around the information request target point.
According to the traffic information providing system having the above configuration, when there are a plurality of candidates for routes that the user may move in the future, the traffic information related to the user is extracted without omission by considering each candidate. It becomes possible.

The fifth configuration is as follows.
The shape of the surrounding area (64) is changed according to the type or scale of the point where the user requests traffic information in the surrounding area.
According to the traffic information providing system having the above configuration, the degree of influence on the traffic conditions around the point where the user requests the surrounding traffic information is estimated from the type or scale of the point, and the traffic information is based on the result. By changing the range of providing traffic information, it is possible to accurately select and provide traffic information related to the user.

The sixth configuration is as follows.
An information request target area acquisition means (51) that acquires an area for which the user requests traffic information as an information request target area, and a route from the user's current position to the user's destination via the information request target area. Information provision target route acquisition means (51) for acquiring information as an information provision target route, and information guidance means (51) for guiding traffic information along the information provision target route among the traffic information included in the information request target area. ) And.
According to the traffic information providing system having the above configuration, the traffic information according to the user's request and the traffic information related to the user are selected and provided by a simple input operation for specifying the area where the user requests the traffic information. It becomes possible to do. In particular, when requesting traffic information by voice input, even if the user does not know the specific information (road name, road number, etc.) for identifying the road requesting the traffic information. , It becomes possible to easily request traffic information.

1 Traffic information provision system 2 Information provision center 3 Server device 4 Vehicle 5 Navigation device 33 Navigation ECU
51 CPU
52 RAM
53 ROM
54 Flash memory 61 Information request target points 62, 63 Information provision target route 64 Peripheral area 65 Information request target area 66 Information provision target route

Claims (8)

Information request target point acquisition means for acquiring the point where the user requests traffic information in the vicinity as the information request target point,
An information provision target route acquisition means for acquiring a route from the user's current position to the user's destination via the information request target point as an information provision target route.
A traffic information providing system including an information guiding means for guiding traffic information along the information providing target route among the traffic information included in the area around the information requesting point. Claim 1 of the information guiding means guides traffic information among the traffic information included in the area around the information request target point, along the information providing target route and corresponding to the traveling direction of the information providing target route. Traffic information provision system described in. It has a planned movement route acquisition means for acquiring a planned movement route to the user's destination, and has
The information provision target route acquisition means is
When the planned movement route is a route that passes through the information request target point, the planned movement route is acquired as the information provision target route.
The traffic information providing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the planned movement route is not a route that passes through the information request target point, the information provision target route is newly acquired. When there are a plurality of candidates for a route from the user's current position to the user's destination via the information request target point, the information provision target route acquisition means acquires the plurality of candidates as the information provision target route. ,
The information guidance means
The traffic information providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which guides traffic information along each route included in the information providing target route among the traffic information around the information request target point. The traffic information providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the shape of the surrounding area is changed according to the type or scale of a point where the user requests traffic information in the surrounding area. Information request target area acquisition means for acquiring the area for which the user requests traffic information as the information request target area, and
An information provision target route acquisition means for acquiring a route from the user's current position to the user's destination via the information request target area as an information provision target route.
A traffic information providing system including an information guiding means for guiding traffic information along the information providing target route among the traffic information included in the information request target area. Information request target point acquisition means for acquiring the point where the user requests traffic information in the vicinity as the information request target point,
An information provision target route acquisition means for acquiring a route from the user's current position to the user's destination via the information request target point as an information provision target route.
A traffic information providing device having an information guiding means for guiding traffic information along the information providing target route among the traffic information included in the area around the information requesting point. Computer,
Information request target point acquisition means for acquiring the point where the user requests traffic information in the vicinity as the information request target point,
An information provision target route acquisition means for acquiring a route from the user's current position to the user's destination via the information request target point as an information provision target route.
Among the traffic information included in the area around the information request target point, the information guidance means for guiding the traffic information along the information provision target route, and
A computer program to make it work.