JP3970726B2 - Traffic information display system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a traffic jam information display system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in a navigation device mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, an optimum route from a set departure point to a destination is searched based on road map data and displayed on a display means. . In this case, the route is set so that the distance from the departure point to the destination is the shortest, or the route is set so that the required time is the shortest.
[0003]
In addition, a system is also provided that transmits road traffic information to a navigation device so that an operator such as a vehicle driver can select a route that receives traffic congestion information and avoids a traffic congestion section. For example, in a road traffic information communication system called VICS (R), information on traffic control systems such as the police and the Japan Highway Public Corporation is collected, and road traffic information such as traffic congestion information and traffic regulation information is collected. Is generated and transmitted to the navigation device by communication means. And the navigation apparatus which received the said road traffic information displays a traffic congestion area on a map based on the said road traffic information.
[0004]
Furthermore, a navigation device that displays traffic information on a specific road at a specified past date and time on a map based on the accumulated past road traffic information is also provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0005]
As a result, an operator such as a driver of the vehicle can grasp an appropriate route to the destination and can easily grasp road traffic information related to road congestion.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-113290
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional navigation device, the traffic congestion information on the road is displayed for each section of the road, so that the operator can grasp the area where the traffic congestion is present, that is, the area as a general surface. It was difficult.
[0008]
In general, in a navigation device, a colored arrow indicating a location on a congested road is displayed along the road, so that the operator pinpoints the congested location, and The situation can be easily grasped. However, it is difficult to roughly grasp which area is congested and which area is not congested on the displayed map. Normally, when a traffic jam occurs on a specific road, it is common for the traffic to spread around the road, so if you want to avoid getting involved in the traffic, avoid the area that contains the road. desirable. Therefore, even if the traffic information on the road is displayed, the operator cannot fully utilize the traffic information because the traffic information on the area is not displayed.
[0009]
The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, divides the map into areas of an appropriate size, and displays the congestion information of each area, so that the congestion information of each area can be easily used as a general surface. It is an object to provide a traffic information display system that can be grasped.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Therefore, in the traffic jam information display system of the present invention, a division processing unit that divides a map into a plurality of areas, and a display processing unit that displays each area on the map according to a display mode corresponding to the traffic jam information of each area. The division processing unit is based on the position of the end point of the link indicating the traffic information. In the secondary mesh If it is determined whether the link exists and it is determined that the link exists, Based on the link length and the length of one side of the secondary mesh, The map is divided into a plurality of areas by dividing the secondary mesh into areas of appropriate size.
[0012]
In still another traffic information display system according to the present invention, the display processing unit is further provided in each area. Said exist Based on the traffic congestion rate for each link, traffic congestion information for the entire area is created.
[0013]
In still another traffic jam information display system of the present invention, the display processing unit creates predicted traffic jam information.
[0014]
In still another traffic information display system of the present invention, the display mode is a background color or luminance of each area or a darkness of a mask covering each area.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of the traffic jam information display system in the embodiment of the present invention.
[0017]
In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes an information providing server as a server, which is configured in a computer provided with arithmetic means such as a CPU and MPU, storage means such as a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk, and a communication interface. The computer is not a single computer but may be a so-called distributed server in which a plurality of computers are organically coupled. Further, another system may be constructed in the computer. Further, the information providing server 11 may be one of systems constructed in another computer.
[0018]
Reference numerals 28a and 28b denote information terminals as first information terminals and second information terminals operated by an operator. The information terminals are actually a large number, but in the present embodiment, they are represented by 28a and 28b for convenience of explanation. The operator is, for example, a driver of a vehicle such as a passenger car, a truck, a bus, or a motorcycle, a passenger, etc., but any person regardless of whether it is a pedestrian or a user of public transportation. It may be.
[0019]
The information terminals 28a and 28b are CPUs, MPUs and other computing devices, semiconductor memories, magnetic disks, optical disks and other storage devices, liquid crystal displays, LED (Light Emitting Diode) displays, CRTs and other display devices, keyboards, An input device such as a joystick, a cross key, a push button, a remote controller, and a touch panel, a display control device that controls the display device, and a transmission / reception unit such as a communication interface. The information terminals 28a and 28b are, for example, navigation devices mounted on vehicles such as passenger cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, etc., but they are stationary telephones, mobile phones, PHS (Personal Handy-Phone System) telephones, portable information terminals, Any device such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a personal computer, a game machine, or a digital TV may be used.
[0020]
Further, the information terminals 28a and 28b may have a current position detecting device (not shown). When the information terminals 28a and 28b are navigation devices, for example, the current position detection device is generally a GPS (Global Positioning System), a geomagnetic sensor, a distance sensor, a steering sensor, a beacon sensor, a gyro sensor, etc. To detect the current position. In addition, for example, in the case of a mobile phone, a portable information terminal, etc., generally, based on communication with the base station where the mobile phone, the portable information terminal, etc. are located, the position of the base station is set as the current position. To detect.
[0021]
Here, the information providing server 11 and the information terminals 28a and 28b are connected via a network 27 so that they can communicate with each other. The network 27 may be any wired or wireless public communication line network, dedicated communication line network, mobile phone line network, Internet, intranet, LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), satellite communication line network, etc. It may be a communication line or a combination of these as appropriate. Moreover, it may communicate using CS broadcasting or BS broadcasting by a broadcasting satellite, may communicate using terrestrial digital television broadcasting, may communicate using FM multiplex broadcasting, You may communicate using the optical beacon and radio wave beacon currently installed by the roadside.
[0022]
The traffic jam information display system in the present embodiment is configured by the information providing server 11 and the information terminals 28a and 28b. In this case, it is desirable that the operator is a person who is registered in advance in the traffic jam information display system and possesses a registration ID. The information terminals 28a and 28b are preferably registered respectively.
[0023]
Here, from the viewpoint of function, the information providing server 11 has a data unit 12 for storing data necessary for creating traffic jam information, and accesses the data unit 12 to acquire necessary data to obtain traffic jam. It has the process part 21 which performs the process for producing information. The data unit 12 includes a traffic information database 13 and a traffic information provision link database 14.
[0024]
The traffic information database 13 is information relating to road traffic congestion and the like created by collecting information on traffic control systems such as the police and the Japan Highway Public Corporation in a road traffic information communication system called VICS (R), for example. And road traffic information such as traffic regulation information. Furthermore, the traffic information database 13 is used to specify event schedule information such as the scheduled location and scheduled date and time of events such as festivals, parades, fireworks displays, etc., for example, roads around stations and large commercial facilities every day except weekends. It is also desirable to store statistical traffic jam information and predicted traffic jam information such as traffic jams occurring at the time of day or traffic jams occurring during summer holidays on roads around the beach. Furthermore, the traffic information database 13 may store information provided from a number of operators registered in advance. In this case, the information is, for example, detailed information on road traffic information such as road traffic information related to road traffic jams, traffic control information related to traffic control by the police, traffic regulation information due to road construction, building construction, and the like. In the case of road traffic information, the detailed information is the actual length of the traffic jam, the cause of the traffic jam, the time when the traffic jam is expected to be resolved, etc., and in the case of traffic control information, the type of control such as speed violation control, parking violation control, etc. , Location, day of the week, time zone, etc., in the case of traffic regulation information, the duration of road construction, building construction, etc., the type of traffic regulation such as traffic closure, one-sided alternate traffic, lane regulation, time zone of traffic regulation, etc. .
[0025]
The traffic information provision link database 14 stores information related to links necessary for providing traffic information. Here, a link is a unit constituting a road, and is usually delimited with an intersection of three or more roads as a boundary. The intersection includes not only an intersection where a traffic signal lamp is installed but also an intersection where no traffic signal lamp is installed. Therefore, the number of links on a single road is not constant. In addition, the point where the administrative road attribute of a road changes is also handled as a link boundary. And in a normal navigation apparatus, each link which comprises a road, ie, road link ID as an identification number which identifies a road link, is provided.
[0026]
The VICS (R) information, which is traffic information based on the VICS (R), includes a VICS (R) link ID together with information such as type information, position, distance of a traffic jam section, traffic jam degree, and the like. The VICS (R) link ID is an identification number assigned to a VICS (R) link as a travel guidance link that is standardized by dividing a road at predetermined intersections. The VICS (R) information also includes information such as the coordinates of the start point and end point of each VICS (R) link, the distance from the start point to the end point, and the like.
[0027]
Here, the road link and the VICS (R) link are not the same (in general, the road link is subdivided more than the VICS (R) link). Therefore, a navigation device having a normal VICS (R) function has a conversion table (contrast table) between the road link ID and the VICS (R) link ID, and is based on the VICS (R) link ID. Thus, the corresponding road link ID can be specified. Therefore, when the information terminals 28a and 28b have the conversion table like a navigation device, when the VICS (R) link ID is received from the information providing server 11, the VICS (R) link ID is changed to the VICS (R) link ID. Based on this, it is possible to specify the road section on which the VICS (R) information is to be displayed.
[0028]
However, if the information terminals 28a and 28b do not have the conversion table, the road section cannot be specified based on the VICS (R) link ID. Therefore, the traffic information provision link database 14 also stores the conversion table. Thereby, the VICS (R) link ID can be converted into the road link ID used in the information terminals 28a and 28b, and the VICS (R) information can be transmitted. If the information terminals 28a and 28b do not have a map database or the like which will be described later and cannot create a map, the information providing server 11 displays an image of the map displayed on the screen. It is created as information, the image information is transmitted to the information terminals 28a and 28b, and an image based on the image information is displayed on the display devices of the information terminals 28a and 28b. In this case, the road table corresponding to the VICS® link ID is specified using the conversion table stored in the traffic information provision link database 14.
[0029]
The processing unit 21 includes an input processing unit 22, an area division processing unit 23 as a division processing unit, a display processing unit 24, a statistics / prediction processing unit 25, and a distribution processing unit 26. Here, the input processing unit 22 performs an input process of inputting a distribution request such as traffic jam information received from the information terminals 28a and 28b. The area division processing unit 23 performs a division process for dividing the map to be displayed on the display devices of the information terminals 28a and 28b into areas of appropriate sizes. In this case, the area division processing unit 23 performs a division process based on a so-called secondary mesh, for example.
[0030]
Here, the secondary mesh is a 10-fold regional mesh in the integrated regional mesh defined in “JIS X 0410-1976 Regional Mesh Code”. The secondary mesh is a rectangular area having a side of about 10 km. In the “National Digital Road Map Database” created by the Japan Digital Road Map Association, 4713 nationwide are available. The secondary mesh. The VICS (R) information is information that defines traffic information in each secondary mesh, and a unique VICS (R) link ID is assigned to each vertical line of the road in each secondary mesh. Then, the area division processing unit 23 divides the secondary mesh into finer areas as necessary so that traffic jam information can be displayed for each area.
[0031]
The display processing unit 24 displays each area on a map according to a display mode corresponding to the traffic congestion information of each area. The display processing unit 24 accesses the traffic information database 13 and the traffic information providing link database 14 to access the VICS. (R) Information such as information is acquired, and display processing for displaying traffic jam information for each area divided by the area division processing unit 23 is performed. The statistics / prediction processing unit 25 accesses the traffic information database 13 to acquire statistical traffic jam information and predicted traffic jam information, and performs statistical processing and prediction processing of the traffic jam information. In addition, the distribution processing unit 26 performs distribution processing for editing or creating congestion information to be transmitted to the information terminals 28a and 28b in response to distribution requests from the information terminals 28a and 28b.
[0032]
The storage means of the information providing server 11 in which the traffic information database 13 and the traffic information providing link database 14 are stored may be an internal storage medium of the information providing server 11 or an external storage medium. Good. In this case, the internal storage medium and the external storage medium are any kind of magnetic tape, magnetic disk, magnetic drum, CD-ROM, MD, DVD-ROM, optical disk, MO, IC card, optical card, memory card, and the like. There may be.
[0033]
Further, the information providing server 11 may have other functions such as a search function for searching for a route and a search function for searching for a spot or facility, in addition to a function of creating traffic jam information. For example, in response to a distribution request from the information terminals 28a and 28b, a route from a departure place to a destination is searched and the searched route information is distributed together with map information, or a facility such as a restaurant is searched. Information on the found facility can be distributed. Thus, even if the information terminals 28a and 28b are a mobile phone, a PHS phone, a mobile information terminal, a PDA, etc. that do not have a search function, a search function, map information, etc., the operator can 28b is operated to transmit a distribution request to the information providing server 11 via the network 27, thereby obtaining desired route information, facility information, map information, etc., and displaying the information terminals 28a and 28b. It can be displayed on the device.
[0034]
In this case, the information providing server 11 includes a transmitting / receiving unit (not shown) for exchanging information with the information terminals 28a and 28b, a terminal specifying unit (not shown) for specifying the information terminals 28a and 28b based on an ID key, etc. It is desirable to have The information providing server 11 preferably includes a map database (not shown) for storing map information, a POI (Point of Interest) database (not shown), a road database (not shown), and the like.
[0035]
Here, the map database stores map information such as nodes, links, coordinates, and facility names for drawing a map. In addition, the POI database stores facility data, town page data, event data, and the like for searching points such as a departure point, a destination, and a passing point. The POI database may include detailed information on facilities and regions. For example, when the facility is a restaurant such as a restaurant or canteen, the detailed information includes business days of the week, business hours, telephone numbers, menus, prices, taste, quality of service, atmosphere in the store, presence / absence of parking, etc. When the facility is a commercial facility such as a convenience store, department store, home center, supermarket, etc., the detailed information includes the day of the week, business hours, telephone number, assortment, price, bargain sale ( Special sale), bargain sale products, service quality, in-store atmosphere, presence of parking lots, types and periods of entertainment and events, etc. The facilities include theme parks, game centers, movie theaters, theaters, etc. In the case of an amusement facility, the detailed information includes the business day of the week, business hours, telephone number, contents of the facility, price, quality of service, atmosphere, presence of parking, It is the products and events of the type and duration, and the like. Further, the road database stores data for searching for routes such as road search costs and road types.
[0036]
In addition, the information providing server 11 includes a map creation unit (not shown) that draws a map based on the map information, coordinate information of a predetermined point such as a destination based on information stored in the POI database, a name, A POI search unit (not shown) that searches for point information such as an address, and a route search unit (not shown) that searches for a route from the current position to the destination based on information stored in the road database, the traffic information database 13, etc. It is desirable to have.
[0037]
Next, the operation of the traffic jam information display system having the above configuration will be described.
[0038]
1 is a diagram showing a display example of traffic jam information in the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of a map screen in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a VICS ( R) A diagram illustrating a method for determining an area including a link, FIG. 5 is a first diagram illustrating a method for dividing an area according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating dividing an area according to the embodiment of the present invention FIG. 7 is a third diagram illustrating a method for dividing an area according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation for dividing the area according to the embodiment of the present invention. is there.
[0039]
First, an operation in which the operator operates the information terminal 28a to display traffic jam information on a map covering a range including a route from the departure place to the destination on the display device of the information terminal 28a for each area will be described.
[0040]
In this case, the operator operates the information terminal 28a to input a departure place and a destination, and distributes information for displaying traffic jam information in an area including a route from the departure place to the destination for each area. The request is transmitted to the information providing server 11 via the network 27. Then, the input processing unit 22 of the information providing server 11 performs input processing of the distribution request, accesses a map database (not shown), and displays it on the display device of the information terminal 28a as shown in FIG. A simple map 31 is acquired. The map 31 covers a range including a route from the starting point 32 to the destination 33 input by the operator. In the map 31, a large number of curves drawn with solid lines (thick lines and thin lines) indicate roads, and meridians 34 and latitude lines 35 drawn with a plurality of dotted lines indicate boundaries of secondary meshes. That is, each of the areas delimited by the meridian 34 and the latitude line 35 is a secondary mesh.
[0041]
Subsequently, the area division processing unit 23 performs a division process for dividing the map 31 into areas of an appropriate size. In the present embodiment, the area division processing unit 23 divides the secondary mesh into areas of an appropriate size based on the presence / absence of a VICS (R) link. In this case, in which area the VICS® link existing in the secondary mesh exists is determined based on the position of the end point of the VICS® link.
[0042]
Here, in the example shown in FIG. 4, there are two VICS® links 42-1 and 42-2 in the secondary mesh 41. In FIG. 4, 42-1a and 42-2a are the starting points of the VICS (R) links 42-1 and 42-2, respectively, and 42-1b and 42-2b are the VICS (R), respectively. ) The end points of the links 42-1 and 42-2. In this case, where each of the VICS (R) links 42-1 and 42-2 exists in the areas 41a, 41b, 41c, and 41d obtained by dividing the secondary mesh 41 into four halves vertically and horizontally, The determination is made based on the positions of the end points 42-1b and 42-2b of the VICS (R) links 42-1 and 42-2. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the end point 42-1b is located in the area 41c, and the end point 42-2b is located in the area 41d. Therefore, it is determined that the VICS (R) link 42-1 exists in the area 41c, and the VICS (R) link 42-2 is determined to exist in the area 41d.
[0043]
Then, the area division processing unit 23 determines whether or not to divide the secondary mesh into a plurality of areas based on the five conditions consisting of the following conditions 0 to 4 Judge according to the judgment conditions. In this case, the secondary mesh is also handled as an area.
Condition 0: In the area before division Exists (included) Number of links = 0
Condition 1: {In the area before division Exist Average link length} × 2 <{area length before division} / m
Condition 2: {In the area before division Exist Average link length} × 2 <area length before division
Condition 3: Each area after division Exist Number of links> {In the area before division Exist Number of links} xn [%]
Condition 4: Number of divisions ≦ p
Here, the link is a VICS (R) link, the number of links is the number of VICS (R) links, the link length is the distance from the start point to the end point of the VICS (R) link, and the area length is a rectangle forming the area The length of one side and the number of divisions are the numbers by which one side of the rectangle forming the area is divided. For example, when the number of divisions is 2, since 2 × 2 = 4, one area is divided into four. Note that the values of m, n, and p can be arbitrarily set, but here, it is assumed that m = 2, n = 5, and p = 4.
Determination condition 1: Areas satisfying conditions 1 and 4 are to be divided.
Determination condition 2: Areas that satisfy condition 2, condition 3, and condition 4 are to be divided.
Judgment condition 3: Areas satisfying condition 0 are not subject to division.
[0044]
Here, in the example shown in FIG. 5, there are five VICS® links 46-1 to 46-5 in the secondary mesh 45. In this case, the area division processing unit 23 calculates the average value of the distances from the start point to the end point of the five VICS (R) links 46-1 to 46-5. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the value obtained by doubling the average value is shorter than half the length of one side of the secondary mesh 45. Therefore, the secondary mesh 45 satisfies the condition 1. Further, since the secondary mesh 45 has not been divided yet, the number of divisions is 0 and the condition 4 is satisfied. Therefore, the secondary mesh 45 corresponds to the determination condition 1. Note that the secondary mesh 45 does not satisfy the condition 3 because it is clear that the condition 0 is not satisfied. Accordingly, the secondary mesh 45 is divided into four as shown in FIG.
[0045]
Subsequently, the area division processing unit 23 determines whether or not each of the four areas 45a to 45d illustrated in FIG. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the area 45a does not correspond to any of the determination conditions 1 to 3. For this reason, the area 45a should not be divided, so the area division processing unit 23 determines the range of the area 45a. Further, since the areas 45c and 45d correspond to the determination condition 3, they should not be divided. Therefore, the area division processing unit 23 also determines the ranges of the areas 45c and 45d.
[0046]
Further, it is assumed that the area 45b satisfies all of the conditions 2 to 4, that is, the area 45b corresponds to the determination condition 2. Therefore, the area 45b is divided into four as shown in FIG.
[0047]
Subsequently, the area division processing unit 23 determines whether or not each of the four areas 45b-1 to 45b-4 shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 7, each of the areas 45b-1 to 45b-4 does not correspond to any of the determination conditions 1 to 3. Therefore, since none of the areas 45b-1 to 45b-4 should be divided, the area division processing unit 23 determines the range of the areas 45b-1 to 45b-4. As a result, the secondary mesh 45 is divided into appropriately sized areas.
[0048]
Here, the aim of the conditions 0 to 4 will be described. First, the condition 0 is a condition aiming at excluding an area where the number of links is 0 like the areas 45c and 45d. Next, Condition 1 is a condition that aims to be divided when the VICS (R) link is unevenly distributed but the area is large as in the secondary mesh 45. The condition 2 is a condition that aims to be a division target in order to make the area large enough to accommodate the VICS (R) link like the area 45b. The condition 3 is a condition that aims to be divided so that the VICS (R) link is not unevenly distributed in the area as in the area 45b. Furthermore, condition 4 is a condition aimed at preventing the area from becoming too small.
[0049]
As described above, the area division processing unit 23 performs the division process, so that the map 31 is divided into areas of an appropriate size based on the presence or absence of the VICS (R) link.
[0050]
Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S1: An average value of all link lengths in the area is calculated.
Step S2: It is determined whether Condition 1 and Condition 4 are satisfied. If satisfied, the process proceeds to step S3. If not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S4.
Step S3 The area division processing unit 23 divides the secondary mesh 45 into four.
Step S4: It is determined whether Condition 2, Condition 3, and Condition 4 are satisfied. If satisfied, the process proceeds to step S5. If not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S6.
Step S5 The area division processing unit 23 divides the area 45b into four.
Step S6: The area division processing unit 23 determines the range of 45b-1 to 45b-4.
[0051]
Subsequently, the display processing unit 24 performs display processing for displaying traffic jam information for each of the divided areas. In this case, the display processing unit 24 accesses the traffic information database 13 to obtain VICS (R) information as traffic jam information, and uses the VICS (R) information to store each area. Exist Based on the congestion degree for each VICS (R) link, the congestion information of the entire corresponding area is created. In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the degree of congestion is classified into three stages of no congestion, congestion, and congestion, and is applied over the entire VICS (R) link range. It is also possible to classify the degree of congestion more finely and apply each to a range obtained by subdividing a single VICS (R) link. By setting 0 as no traffic jam, 1 as congestion, and 2 as traffic jam, the traffic jam degree can be quantified.
[0052]
Next, the display processing unit 24 is arranged in each area. Exist An average value of the congestion level of the VICS (R) link is calculated, and the average value is determined as the congestion level of each area. For example, in an area Exist When the number of VICS (R) links is 1, the degree of congestion of the VICS (R) link is determined as the degree of congestion of the area. In some areas Exist When the number of VICS (R) links is plural, for example, 2 and the respective congestion levels are 1 and 2, the average value of 1.5 is determined as the congestion level of the area. In addition, when calculating an average value, it can also average after weighting in consideration of the length of each VICS (R) link. Also, as in areas 45c and 45d shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the VICS (R) link is used. Does not exist For areas, the degree of congestion is unknown.
[0053]
Note that the congestion information of the entire area can be created based on the congestion rate of the VICS (R) link instead of the congestion level of the VICS (R) link. In this case, the display processing unit 24 calculates the estimated travel time based on the definition of the vehicle speed corresponding to the road type and the congestion level (the vehicle speed decreases as the congestion level increases), and uses the estimated travel time, The congestion rate for each VICS (R) link is calculated according to the following equation (1).
Traffic jam rate = {Estimated travel time / Travel time when there is no traffic jam} / {Travel time when there is no traffic jam / Travel time when there is no traffic jam} Expression (1)
The display processing unit 24 is provided in each area. Exist The average value of the congestion rate of the VICS (R) link is calculated according to the following equation (2), and the average value is determined as the congestion rate of each area.
Area traffic congestion rate = Σ {link length × link traffic congestion rate} / Σ {link length} (2)
Here, the area traffic rate is the traffic rate of the area, the link length is the distance from the start point to the end point of the VICS (R) link, and the link traffic rate is the traffic rate of the VICS (R) link.
[0054]
In this way, by creating the traffic jam information based on the traffic jam rate, the traffic jam information of each area can be expressed in more detail. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a case where traffic jam information is created based on the traffic jam rate will be described.
[0055]
Subsequently, the display processing unit 24 determines the display mode of each area corresponding to the traffic jam rate. Here, the display mode of each area is the background color and brightness of each area, the darkness of the mask covering each area, and the like. In this case, it is desirable that the display mode has a higher degree of attracting the operator's attention as the congestion rate increases. For example, the background is red for areas with a congestion rate of 70% or more, the background is yellow for areas with a congestion rate of 30% to less than 70%, and the congestion rate is less than 30%. For the area, the background color of each area can be changed so that the background is colorless. The background is dark red for areas where the traffic congestion rate is 70% or higher, the background is light red for areas where the traffic congestion rate is 30% or higher and less than 70%, and the traffic congestion rate is 30%. The background color of each area can be changed so that the background is colorless for the areas below. The background luminance is the lowest for areas where the traffic congestion rate is 70% or higher, and the background luminance is slightly lower for areas where the traffic congestion rate is 30% or higher and lower than 70%. The luminance of the background of each area can be changed so that the luminance of the background is increased for areas less than 30%. Furthermore, the mask is darkened for areas where the traffic congestion rate is 70% or more, and the mask is thinned for areas where the traffic congestion rate is 30% or more and less than 70%, and the traffic congestion rate is less than 30%. The darkness of the background mask of each area can be changed so that the area is not masked.
[0056]
In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the background is dark in areas where the congestion rate is 70% or more, and the background is light in areas where the congestion rate is 30% or more and less than 70%. A case will be described in which the color density of the background of each area is changed so that the background is colorless in an area where the congestion rate is less than 30%. In addition, the numerical value of the traffic congestion rate which becomes the division | segmentation which changes a display mode can be changed suitably. Furthermore, the display mode of each area corresponding to the traffic jam rate is not limited to three stages, and may be two stages, four stages or more, and may be changed continuously. Good.
[0057]
Further, the display mode may not be changed for an area where the traffic congestion rate is unknown, or may be the same display mode as the area where the traffic congestion rate is less than 30%. Furthermore, a display mode corresponding to the average value of the traffic jam rate in the area located in the surrounding area can be used. For example, the average value of the traffic congestion rates of four areas located above, below, left and right of the area where the traffic congestion rate is unknown is set as the traffic congestion rate of the area where the traffic congestion rate is unknown, and the display mode corresponds to the traffic congestion rate. Generally, when roads in a certain area are congested, roads in adjacent areas are also often congested, so for areas where the traffic congestion rate is unknown, the average value of the traffic congestion ratio in the surrounding area It is desirable to have a display mode corresponding to.
[0058]
Then, the display processing unit 24 displays each area on the map 31 according to the display mode determined as described above. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 1, the map 31 has an area 36 with a light background of 30% or more and less than 70% and a traffic rate of 70 with a dark background. [%] The above area 37 is displayed.
[0059]
Subsequently, the distribution processing unit 26 performs distribution processing for distributing the map 31 to the information terminal 28a. In this case, since each area divided by the area division processing unit 23 is a rectangle, each area can be specified only by specifying the position coordinates of two opposing vertices. Therefore, the amount of information can be reduced because the data necessary for displaying the traffic jam information is only the data of the position coordinates of the two opposite vertices in each area and the data indicating the display mode of each area. Therefore, compared with the case where only the map 31 is distributed, the load for data processing and communication does not increase so much, and it can be distributed to the information terminal 28a in a short time.
[0060]
Subsequently, the information terminal 28a causes the display device to display the map 31 received from the information providing server 11 via the network 27 together with traffic jam information. Thereby, a map 31 as shown in FIG. 1 is displayed on the display device. In this case, since the amount of data necessary for displaying the traffic jam information is small, the burden of data processing for displaying on the display device in the information terminal 28a does not increase. Therefore, even if the information terminal 28a is a device having a relatively low data processing capability such as a mobile phone, a PHS phone, a mobile information terminal, or a PDA, the traffic information can be easily displayed in a short time. it can.
[0061]
Then, the operator has an area 36 with a light-colored background in the map 31 displayed on the display device of the information terminal 28a, and has a dark-colored background 36 and an area 36 with a dark-colored background. By looking at the area 37 with a rate of 70% or more, in the area including the route from the departure point 32 to the destination 33, which area is congested, which area is congested, and which area is congested. You can easily grasp whether it is not. That is, the operator can easily grasp the traffic information of each area as a general surface.
[0062]
Further, as traffic jam information acquired from the traffic information database 13, statistical traffic jam information or predicted traffic jam information can be used instead of VICS (R) information. It is assumed that the statistical traffic jam information and the predicted traffic jam information are associated with the VICS (R) link. As a result, for example, traffic congestion occurs at specific times every day except weekends on roads near stations and large commercial facilities, and traffic congestion occurs on roads near beaches during summer holidays. Based on the information and the predicted traffic jam information, the traffic jam information for each area at a specific date and time can be grasped.
[0063]
Next, an operation when using statistical traffic jam information or predicted traffic jam information instead of VICS (R) information will be described.
[0064]
FIG. 9 is a first diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen for displaying traffic information for each area at a specific date and time in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a specific date and time in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a 2nd figure which shows the example of the operation screen for displaying the traffic information for every area.
[0065]
Here, a case where predicted traffic information at a future date and time is displayed using the predicted traffic information will be described. In this case, the traffic information database 13 includes data (average value, variance, etc.) regarding the congestion rate for each VICS (R) link over a predetermined period (for example, two to three years) in which statistical processing has been performed in advance. Is stored.
[0066]
It is assumed that an operation screen 55 as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display device of the information terminal 28a. On the operation screen 55, the operation unit 51 displayed below the map 31 includes a date / time designating unit 51a for designating a future date / time, and a time interval designating unit 51b for displaying a temporal change in predicted traffic jam information. And input means 51c for confirming the input items of the date and time specifying means 51a and the time interval specifying means 51b and transmitting a distribution request to the information providing server 11 via the network 27. The date designation means 51a and the time interval designation means 51b are pull-down menus, and the input means 51c is a push button. In the example shown in FIG. 9, traffic jam information predicted at 20:30 on September 20, 2002 is displayed. Further, the time interval for displaying the temporal change is 15 minutes.
[0067]
Subsequently, when the operator presses the input unit 51 c as a push button, an information distribution request for displaying the predicted traffic information at the date and time is transmitted to the information providing server 11 via the network 27.
[0068]
Here, the display processing unit 24 of the information providing server 11 can display the traffic congestion rate in each area included in the map 31 so as to change corresponding to the transition of time. In this case, the display mode corresponding to each value of the congestion rate for every 15 minutes around 20:30 on September 20, 2002 in each area included in the map 31 is determined. Then, the distribution processing unit 26 performs a distribution process for distributing the map 31 every 15 minutes around 20:30 on September 20, 2002 to the information terminal 28a.
[0069]
Subsequently, the information terminal 28a causes the display device to display the map 31 received from the information providing server 11 via the network 27 together with traffic jam information. Thereby, an operation screen 56 as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display device. On the operation screen 56, the operation unit 52 displayed above the map 31 includes designated time changing means 52a for displaying temporal changes in the traffic information displayed together with the map 31, and the displayed traffic jam. It has an indicator 52b indicating the designated time of information. The designated time changing means 52a is composed of a plurality of push buttons having the same configuration as the operation buttons in a normal video playback device, and the date and time designated by the date and time designation means 51a is 20 September 2002. It is possible to display traffic information every 15 minutes around 30 minutes. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the indicator 52b indicates that the traffic information at the date and time designated by the date and time designation means 51a is displayed.
[0070]
As a result, the operator has an area 36 having a light traffic background in the map 31 displayed on the display device of the information terminal 28a with a light color background of 30% or more and less than 70% and a dark background. By looking at the area 37 with a traffic congestion rate of 70% or more, it is easy to see how much traffic is congested in the area including the route from the departure point 32 to the destination 33 at the date and time specified by the user. I can grasp it. Further, since the change in the traffic congestion rate of each area in the map 31 is visualized in the time zone before and after the designated date and time, how the traffic congestion rate of each area in the map 31 changes. , Can be grasped intuitively by visual.
[0071]
Therefore, the operator can easily grasp the predicted traffic jam information of the area included in the map 31 at a desired date and time as a general surface, and can use it to predict the traffic jam in the area. .
[0072]
As described above, in this embodiment, the area division processing unit 23 of the information providing server 11 divides the secondary mesh into areas of an appropriate size based on the presence or absence of the VICS (R) link. 31 is divided into appropriately sized areas. The display processing unit 24 is provided in each area. Exist Based on the degree of traffic congestion for each VICS (R) link, traffic congestion information for the entire corresponding area is created, the display mode of each area is determined so as to correspond to the traffic congestion information, and according to the display mode, the map 31 Display each area.
[0073]
Thereby, the operator looks at the display mode of the area on the map 31 displayed on the display device of the information terminal 28a, so that which area is congested, which area is congested, and which area is congested. It is possible to easily grasp whether or not there is. That is, the operator can easily grasp the traffic information of each area as a general surface.
[0074]
Further, the area division processing unit 23 determines whether or not to divide the secondary mesh into a plurality of areas according to the determination conditions 1 to 3. Therefore, an area with the number of links of 0 can be excluded from the division, and when the VICS (R) link is unevenly distributed but the area is large, the area can be divided and the VICS (R) link can be accommodated. The area can be a large area, and can be divided so that the VICS (R) links are not unevenly distributed in the area, and the area is not excessively small. Therefore, each area can be appropriately sized, and the operator can appropriately grasp the traffic information of each area.
[0075]
Furthermore, it is also possible to display predicted traffic information at a future date and time using the predicted traffic information, so it is possible to easily grasp the predicted traffic information of the area included in the map 31 at a desired date and time as a general aspect. Can be used to predict traffic jams. In addition, since the change in the congestion rate of each area in the map 31 is visualized in the time zone before and after the designated date and time, how does the congestion rate of each area in the map 31 change? , Can be grasped intuitively by visual.
[0076]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change variously based on the meaning of this invention, and does not exclude them from the scope of the present invention.
[0077]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, by dividing a map into areas of appropriate sizes and displaying the congestion information of each area, the congestion information of each area can be easily used as a general surface. I can grasp it.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a display example of traffic jam information according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a traffic jam information display system in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of a map screen in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a method for determining an area including a VICS® link in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a first diagram illustrating a method of dividing an area according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a second diagram illustrating a method of dividing an area according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a third diagram illustrating a method of dividing an area according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of dividing an area according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 displays the traffic information for each area at a specific date and time in the embodiment of the present invention.
It is a 1st figure which shows the example of the operation screen for making it appear.
FIG. 10 is a second diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen for displaying traffic jam information for each area at a specific date and time according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
23 Area division processing section
24 Display processing section
31 Map
41, 45 Secondary mesh
42-1, 42-2, 46-1, 46-2, 46-3, 46-4, 46-5 VICS (R) link
36, 37, 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 45a, 45b, 45b-1, 45b-2, 45b-3, 45b-4, 45c, 45d area

Claims (4)

(A) a division processing unit that divides the map into a plurality of areas;
(B) a display processing unit that displays each area on the map according to a display mode corresponding to traffic jam information of each area;
(C) The division processing unit determines whether or not the link exists in the secondary mesh based on the position of the end point of the link indicating the traffic information, and determines that the link exists , A traffic jam information display system that divides the map into a plurality of areas by dividing the secondary mesh into areas of an appropriate size based on the length of one side of the secondary mesh. The traffic information display system according to claim 1, wherein the display processing unit creates traffic information of the entire area based on a traffic congestion rate for each link existing in each area. The traffic information display system according to claim 2, wherein the display processing unit creates predicted traffic information. The traffic information display system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the display mode is a background color or luminance of each area, or a darkness of a mask covering each area.

Images