JP4309866B2 - Bus time guidance system, information distribution server, guidance terminal device, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a bus time guidance system, an information distribution server, a guidance terminal device, and a program for guiding arrival times to bus passengers, and in particular, only uses a mobile phone as a terminal device to communicate with the information distribution server. The present invention relates to a bus time guidance system, an information distribution server, a guidance terminal device, and a program that easily guide arrival times to a destination in real time according to traffic conditions.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, navigation devices and navigation systems that guide a user by searching for a route from a desired departure point to a destination using map data and road data are known. Such navigation devices and navigation systems are known. As a car navigation device that is installed in an automobile and guides the route to the driver, a communication type that uses a mobile phone as a navigation terminal to send a route search request to the route search server, receives the result, and receives route guidance Navigation systems have been put to practical use.

  In particular, the communication-type navigation system is a system that uses a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone as a navigation terminal, and is also used as a navigation system for pedestrians. As a navigation system for pedestrians, it is preferable to add a route guidance function including transportation, and in addition to searching and guidance for walking routes, the route search server accumulates routes and operation time data of transportation, There is also a navigation system having a function of guiding a route from a desired departure station to a desired destination station (boarding candidate train) in addition to searching for a walking route and guidance. There is also a traffic guidance system that receives and displays information such as routes, timetables of transportation facilities, and trains that can be boarded from an information distribution server without searching for walking routes.

  There is also known a route search system that searches and guides a route from a departure place to a destination using transportation means such as an airplane, a train, a train, and a bus. Such a route search system is generally an operation time database in which operation time data of each transportation facility is made into a database based on route search conditions such as departure date and time, departure place, destination and arrival time specified by the user. Referring to the above, each available transportation means that connects the departure point and destination, including connections, is sequentially followed as a route, and one candidate guide route (transportation means such as a train) that matches the route search condition is selected. It is configured to present multiple items. As route search conditions, it is generally possible to specify conditions such as required time, number of transfers, and fares.

In addition, as a system for conducting searches and guidance related to transportation facilities, a terminal device such as a mobile phone is connected to an information distribution server for guiding route information and timetable information of transportation facilities, and a desired departure station, departure time, destination station, etc. There is also provided a guidance system that can receive information on transportation means such as routes, trains, and trains that can be specified and can be displayed on a terminal device. In general, when such use is performed from a terminal device, address information such as a URL (Universal Resource Locator ) or a domain name for specifying a location where information to be downloaded exists is input to the terminal device and specified by the address. The information distribution server (information site) is accessed to download desired information.

  Railroads are operated exactly according to the timetable unless there is an accident or vehicle failure, and the estimated arrival times at the main stations are announced as appropriate. If the aircraft also takes off, the estimated arrival time at the destination is announced as appropriate according to the local weather conditions and airport conditions. In contrast, highway buses and route buses that operate on ordinary roads are affected by road conditions and traffic jams, so arrival times at destinations vary. Even if there is an operation timetable, it is only a guide. If the passenger gets on the bus to the destination, there is no other option, and when the bus approaches a traffic jam, the arrival time is not predicted and is frustrating. In particular, if you have a pre-determined time after arrival at your destination and you are using a long-distance bus or airport limousine bus, you will be unable to predict the arrival time at your destination and experience the above There are many cases.

  In general, various systems have been proposed for guiding the estimated time of arrival at a destination to a user who moves by car or transportation. For example, in a car navigation system for an automobile, the following Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-81894) discloses a technique for calculating and displaying an estimated arrival time at a destination.

  The vehicle navigation system disclosed in Patent Document 1 uses, as table data, passing average speed information corresponding to a statistical congestion degree for each road for each road in map information recorded in advance on an optical disk as table data. When the date and time according to the drive plan and the route to the destination are input by the input device, the date and time of the input drive and each road included in the route are read from the optical disc. Passing on the input route based on distance information obtained based on distance information or latitude / longitude information for each road and passing average speed information of the corresponding date / time for each road read from the table data in the optical disc The required time is calculated and displayed on the display device.

In the above vehicle navigation system, in actual driving, the estimated arrival time at the destination is sequentially updated with reference to the passing average speed for each date and time stored in advance on the optical disc at regular intervals as time passes. It is also disclosed that it can be configured to calculate and display.
(Time prediction is based on the passing average speed on the same day, the same day, and the same time in the past, not real-time time prediction according to actual traffic conditions.)

  Various so-called “overpass prevention” techniques have also been proposed in which passengers traveling using transportation are notified in advance of the arrival at the disembarking station. For example, the following Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-16806) discloses a technique of “train operation data display device”, and the following Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-41262) describes “arrival notification”. The technology of “system” is disclosed.

  In the vehicle navigation system disclosed in Patent Document 2, real-time operation data taking into account delay information and the like is sequentially input to a master unit installed in a train and stored in a storage means, and a person carrying the slave unit is When you want to know the data stored in the machine, send a signal of data transmission start command from the transmission means of the slave unit, and this signal is received by the reception means of the master unit, and thereby the latest transmission means from the transmission unit of the master unit Operation data is transmitted, this data is received by the receiving unit of the slave unit and stored in the storage unit, and when the item to be known is set by the switch unit, the control unit selects necessary information from the storage unit of the slave unit, The information is configured to be displayed by the display means, so that the latest operation data stored in the master unit can be taken in when desired and the information desired to be selected can be displayed. It was those (parent machine is necessary to train, with passengers a child device that can communicate with the base unit.).

  In addition, the “arrival notification system” disclosed in Patent Document 3 is a system that uses reservation reception information of a reserved ticket reserved in advance, and reads a passenger's specified ticket information with a ticket gate. Passenger arrival station information, mobile number, and mobile mail are sent to the arrival time management server installed on the train, and the arrival time management server compares the timetable and arrival station information to calculate the estimated arrival time. Manage time. When the scheduled arrival time is reached, the arrival time management server sends a signal notifying the arrival to the passenger's mobile terminal via the in-vehicle wireless LAN, and the mobile terminal receiving the signal activates an alarm to notify the passenger that the train has arrived. It is composed. In addition, if there is a delay in the train, in response to a change in the schedule of the operation management center, the changed schedule is sent to the train on which the passenger rides by wireless communication, and the arrival time management server is based on the sent schedule. In addition, the estimated arrival time of the passenger is changed, the delay time of the train is calculated, and the estimated arrival time and the delay time of the train are notified using a wireless LAN in the vehicle.

JP-A-9-81894 (FIG. 1, paragraphs [0041] to [0044]) JP-A-5-16806 (FIG. 1, paragraphs [0006] and [0009]) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-41262 (FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, paragraphs [0043] to [0048])

  Generally, when a passenger gets on a route bus or an airport limousine as described above, the terminal device owned by the passenger can know the estimated arrival time at the destination in real time, taking into account traffic conditions. It is convenient if you can. However, in the vehicle navigation system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the arrival time at the destination is predicted using the past statistical average moving speed at the same time, the same day, and the same time when the vehicle is driven. However, it does not reflect the actual traffic situation of the day and there is a problem that an accurate arrival time cannot be predicted.

  In addition, in the vehicle navigation system disclosed in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to provide each train with a master unit that stores real-time operation data that takes into account operation delay time, and enormous capital investment is required for the realization. There was a problem of becoming. There was also a problem that the passenger had to have a child machine and imposed a burden on the passenger.

  Moreover, in the arrival notification system disclosed in Patent Document 3 above, the reservation reception server transmits the arrival station information, the mobile number, and the mobile mail of the passenger to the arrival time management server installed in the train. And arrival station information are collated to calculate the estimated arrival time, and the estimated arrival time of the passenger is managed. When the estimated arrival time is reached, the arrival time management server sends a signal notifying the arrival to the passenger's mobile terminal via the wireless LAN in the vehicle. . For this reason, a management server such as a reservation receiving server is required, and there is a problem that capital investment is required.

  In addition, even if the function of the vehicle navigation system is installed in a personal portable terminal device such as a mobile phone and a route search request is made to the route search server to obtain the arrival time at the destination, the route search is originally performed. There is no guarantee that the optimal route requested by the server and the operation route of the transportation system on which the user is riding with the portable terminal device match, and there is a problem in that it is impossible to accurately predict the arrival time. This is because the buses on which the user is riding are generally on wide roads, so if you search for the shortest route with a general car navigation system, the narrow roads where the bus does not operate will also be subject to route search. This is because an exit route or the like is searched for as an optimal route, and there are many cases where the route of the bus on which the vehicle is boarding does not match the route searched by the route search server.

  The inventor of the present application has conducted various studies to solve the above problems, and as a result, the information distribution server includes a bus route route database and traffic information collecting means for collecting traffic information in real time, and is designated from the guidance terminal device. The route information of the bus and the real-time traffic information acquired by the traffic information collection means are provided, and the current position measured on the mobile terminal side is matched with the bus route route distributed from the information distribution server. With the traffic information taken into account, the idea of arriving at a specific point from a specific point on a route route can be solved to solve the above problem, and the present invention has been completed. is there.

  That is, the present invention has an object to solve the above-described problems, and a bus time guidance system and information distribution capable of obtaining a predicted arrival time at a destination reflecting real-time traffic conditions with a simple operation. An object of the present invention is to provide a server, a guidance terminal device, and a program.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application is
In a bus time guidance system comprising a portable guidance terminal device connected via a network and an information distribution server,
The portable guidance terminal device displays positioning means for positioning the current position, transmission means for transmitting the current position determined by the positioning means to the information distribution server, route route received from the information distribution server, and estimated arrival time. Display means, and means for selectively inputting a bus route from among the route routes displayed on the display means,
The information distribution server is extracted by a route route network database that accumulates route route network data of a bus, an extraction unit that extracts a route route based on a current position received from the portable guidance terminal device, and an extraction unit A transmission means for transmitting a route route to the portable guidance terminal device; an estimated arrival time calculation means for calculating an estimated arrival time at a destination on the route route of the bus selected by the portable guidance terminal device; and traffic information provision Network data editing that collects traffic information provided in real time from a server and temporarily rewrites the selected route route network data among route route network data stored in the route route network database based on the traffic information Means and a matching processing means,
Wherein the portable guide terminal device matching process the current position positioning the route path of the bus selected in the portable guide terminal device, the current position as a starting point, using a route path network data network data editing means rewrites the estimated arrival time calculation means calculates the estimated arrival time to the destination of the route path, characterized in that it distributes to the portable guide terminal Te.

The invention according to claim 2 of the present application is the bus time guidance system according to claim 1,
The positioning means includes a GPS receiver and receives a GPS satellite signal to measure the position.

The invention according to claim 3 of the present application is the bus time guidance system according to claim 1,
The traffic information providing server is a server constituting a traffic information providing system.

The invention according to claim 4 of the present application is the bus time guidance system according to claim 1,
The information distribution server sets a plurality of points on a route route, and when the portable guidance terminal device passes a specific point, the estimated arrival time at the specific point deviates beyond a predetermined value. In such a case, the estimated arrival time from the specific point to each of the previous points is recalculated in response to a re-prediction request from the portable guidance terminal device.

The invention according to claim 5 of the present application is
Positioning means for positioning the current position, transmission means for transmitting the current position measured by the positioning means to the information distribution server, display means for displaying the route route and estimated arrival time received from the information distribution server, and the display means Means for selecting and inputting a bus route from among the route routes displayed on the information distribution server connected via a network to a portable guidance terminal device,
The information distribution server is extracted by a route route network database that accumulates route route network data of a bus, an extraction unit that extracts a route route based on a current position received from the portable guidance terminal device, and an extraction unit A transmission means for transmitting a route route to the portable guidance terminal device; an estimated arrival time calculation means for calculating an estimated arrival time at a destination on the route route of the bus selected by the portable guidance terminal device; and traffic information provision Network data editing that collects traffic information provided in real time from a server and temporarily rewrites the selected route route network data among route route network data stored in the route route network database based on the traffic information Means and a matching processing means,
Wherein the portable guide terminal device matching process the current position positioning the route path of the bus selected in the portable guide terminal device, the current position as a starting point, using a route path network data network data editing means rewrites the estimated arrival time calculation means calculates the estimated arrival time to the destination of the route path, characterized in that it distributes to the portable guide terminal Te.

The invention according to claim 6 of the present application is the information distribution server according to claim 5,
The traffic information providing server is a server constituting a traffic information providing system.

The invention according to claim 7 of the present application is the information delivery server according to claim 5,
The information distribution server sets a plurality of points on a route route, and when the portable guidance terminal device passes a specific point, the estimated arrival time at the specific point deviates beyond a predetermined value. In such a case, the estimated arrival time from the specific point to each of the previous points is recalculated in response to a re-prediction request from the portable guidance terminal device.

The invention according to claim 8 of the present application is
Route route network database storing route route network data of buses, extraction means for extracting route routes based on the current position received from the portable guidance terminal device, and route guidance extracted by the extraction means to the portable guidance Provided in real time from a transmission means for transmitting to the terminal device, an estimated arrival time calculating means for calculating an estimated arrival time at the destination on the route route of the bus selected by the portable guidance terminal device, and a traffic information providing server Network data editing means for collecting traffic information and temporarily rewriting the selected route route network data among route route network data stored in the route route network database based on the traffic information; and a matching processing means; The bus route selected by the portable guide terminal device The current position where the mobile guide terminal device has positioning the road matching process, the current position as a starting point, the estimated arrival time calculation means with the route path network data network data editing means is rewritten in the line path It calculates the expected arrival time to the destination, a portable guide terminal device connected via a network to the information distribution server for distributing the portable guide terminal device,
The portable guidance terminal device displays positioning means for positioning the current position, transmission means for transmitting the current position determined by the positioning means to the information distribution server, route route received from the information distribution server, and estimated arrival time. And a means for selecting and inputting a bus route from among the route routes displayed on the display means.

The invention according to claim 9 of the present application is the portable guidance terminal device according to claim 8,
The positioning means includes a GPS receiver and receives a GPS satellite signal to measure the position.

The invention according to claim 10 of the present application is
Positioning means for positioning the current position, transmission means for transmitting the current position measured by the positioning means to the information distribution server, display means for displaying the route route and estimated arrival time received from the information distribution server, and the display means Means for selecting and inputting a bus route from among the route routes displayed on the information distribution server connected via a network to a portable guidance terminal device,
Route route network database storing route route network data of buses, extraction means for extracting route routes based on the current position received from the portable guidance terminal device, and route routes extracted by the extraction means to the portable Provided in real time from a transmission means for transmitting to the guidance terminal device, an expected arrival time calculation means for calculating an estimated arrival time at the destination on the route route of the bus selected by the portable guidance terminal device, and a traffic information providing server Network data editing means for temporarily rewriting the selected route route network data out of route route network data stored in the route route network database based on the traffic information, and matching processing means And a computer constituting an information distribution server comprising
Wherein the portable guide terminal device matching process the current position positioning the route path of the bus portable guide terminal device selects, the current position as a starting point, using a route path network data network data editing means rewrites the estimated arrival time calculation means Te is program characterized by calculating the estimated arrival time to the destination of the route path, to execute processing for delivery to the portable guide terminal device.

The invention according to claim 11 of the present application is the program according to claim 10,
In the computer constituting the information distribution server,
When a plurality of points are set on the route, and when the portable guidance terminal device passes through the specific point, the estimated arrival time at the specific point has deviated beyond a predetermined value. In response to a re-prediction request from the portable guidance terminal device, a process of recalculating the estimated arrival time from the specific point to each point ahead is executed.

In the invention according to claims 1 to 3,
The portable guidance terminal device displays positioning means for positioning the current position, transmission means for transmitting the current position measured by the positioning means to the information distribution server, route route received from the information distribution server, and estimated arrival time. display means, means for inputting selecting a bus route from the displayed line route on the display means, comprising a data distribution server, a portable information terminal to route the route of the bus selected in the portable guide terminal device Matching the current position measured by the device, using the route network data rewritten by the network data editing unit as the starting point, the predicted arrival time calculating unit uses the predicted route arrival time to the destination of the route route Is calculated and distributed to the portable guidance terminal device.
Therefore, the passenger who gets on the bus only operates the menu displayed on the portable guidance terminal device and sends a request for time guidance to the information distribution server, so that the expected arrival time at the destination of the bus being boarded is distributed. Will be able to receive. In addition, the estimated arrival time distributed from the information distribution server has an effect of being an accurate predicted time reflecting the actual road traffic situation.

In the invention according to claim 4, the information distribution server sets a plurality of points on the route route, and when the portable guidance terminal device passes the specific point, the information distribution server predicts arrival at the specific point. When the time has deviated beyond a predetermined value, the predicted arrival time from the specific point to each of the previous points is recalculated in response to a re-prediction request from the portable guidance terminal device.
Therefore, the passenger who requested time guidance from the information distribution server monitors the arrival time at each point along the route of the bus, and if it is deviated from the expected arrival time, the latest expected arrival time is displayed. It will be possible to request again.

In the inventions according to claims 5, 6, and 7, it is possible to provide an information distribution server constituting the bus time guidance system according to claims 1, 3, and 4, respectively. . Further, in the inventions according to claims 8 and 9, it is possible to provide a portable guidance terminal device constituting the bus time guidance system according to claims 1 and 2, respectively.

  In the inventions according to claims 10 and 11, it is possible to provide a program for realizing the information distribution server according to claims 5 and 7, respectively.

Hereinafter, specific examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples and drawings. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration of a bus time guidance system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the concept of road network data for route search. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a concept of route route network data for route search of transportation facilities. FIG. 4 is a screen configuration diagram showing a configuration of a menu screen for operating a portable guidance terminal device (hereinafter simply referred to as a guidance terminal device) . FIG. 4A is a screen configuration of the main menu, and FIG. FIGS. 4B to 4E are screen configuration diagrams when the screen transitions sequentially from the menu screen. FIG. 5 is an operation sequence diagram showing an operation procedure of the bus time guidance system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the entire route route of the bus route selected by the guidance terminal device. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the remaining route route to the destination (NARITA) with the current position of the guidance terminal device as the starting point (START) on the route route of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the bus time guidance system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a guidance terminal device 20, an information distribution server 30, and a traffic information providing server 51 that communicate via networks 11 and 12. Yes. Here, a portable terminal device such as a PDA or a mobile phone can be used as the guide terminal device 20, and the information distribution server 30 can be configured as a server that provides information on transportation such as a bus route, but has a navigation function. It may be a route search server. In the present embodiment, the description will proceed below assuming that the guidance terminal device 20 is a mobile phone and the information distribution server 30 is configured by a route search server having a navigation function.

  The guide terminal device 20 includes a control unit 21, a communication unit 22, a positioning unit 23, a display unit 24, a route route data storage unit 25, a distribution request editing unit 26, an operation / input unit 27, and the like. Although not shown, the control unit 21 is a microprocessor having a RAM, a ROM, and a processor, and controls the operation of each unit by a control program stored in the ROM. The operation / input means 27 is provided with numbers, alphabet keys, other function keys, and selection keys. By operating these keys, a desired menu is selected from the menu screen displayed on the display means 24, or A route search condition is input by operating numbers and alphabet keys. The communication unit 22 is an interface for communicating with the information distribution server 30 via the network 11.

  The positioning means 23 includes a GPS receiver, receives and processes GPS satellite signals, and measures the current position (latitude / longitude) of the guide terminal device 20. The route route data storage means 25 stores route route data of bus routes distributed from the information distribution server 30.

  The distribution request editing means 26 requests the information distribution server 30 for guidance on arrival time prediction according to the present embodiment when the user of the guide terminal device 20 boarding the bus, while walking, or using a car or transportation means. A request for requesting a search for an optimum route from a certain departure point to a destination, and various other information distribution requests to the information distribution server 30 are edited and transmitted to the information distribution server 30. The process of getting on the bus and receiving the estimated arrival time at the destination will be described in detail later. When the route search is requested, the route search conditions such as the departure point, the destination, the departure date / time, and the arrival date / time are input by the operation / input means 27 described above.

  The information distribution server 30 includes a control means 31, a route guidance means 32, an estimated arrival time calculation means 33, a communication means 34, a search road network database 35, a route search means 36, a network data editing means 37, a route of transportation such as a bus. A route network database 38 and matching processing means 39 are provided. The control means 31 is mainly composed of a microprocessor, and includes storage means such as RAM and ROM as in a general computer device, and controls each part by a program stored in these storage means.

  The communication means 34 receives a request for arrival time guidance to a destination on a specific bus route from the guidance terminal device 20 or a route search request specifying a route search condition, and also receives route route data, estimated arrival time or route search. The expected arrival time calculation means 33 calculates the expected arrival time of the requested bus by processing as will be described later, and distributes the guidance route data as a result of the above to the guidance terminal device 20. Delivered to the device 20.

  The matching processing unit 39 corrects the positioning error by matching the current position measured by the positioning unit 23 with the closest road on the map or the guide route as a result of the route search. The process of matching a road on the map is called map matching, and the process of matching a guide route is called route matching. In the present embodiment, route matching for matching the current position transmitted from the guide terminal device 20 to the corresponding route route in the route route network database 38 according to the bus route route selected by the guide terminal device 20 as described later. Process.

  Map data for route search in pedestrian navigation systems and car navigation systems is called road network data. For example, when the road is composed of roads A, B, and C as shown in FIG. 2, the road network has roads that connect the nodes by using the end points, intersections, and bending points of the roads A, B, and C as nodes. Links with directional links, using node data (node latitude / longitude), link data (link number) and link cost of each link (link distance or time required to travel the link) as data Expressed as cost data, it constitutes road network data. That is, in FIG. 2, ◯ and ◎ indicate nodes, and ◎ indicates a road intersection. Directional links connecting the nodes are indicated by arrow lines (solid line, dotted line, two-dot chain line). As for the links, there are links facing in the upward and downward directions of the road, but in FIG. 2, only the links in the direction of the arrows are shown for the sake of simplicity.

  When route search is performed using such road network data as a route search database, links linked from the starting node to the destination node are traced to accumulate the link cost, thereby minimizing the accumulated link cost. Search and guide the route. That is, in FIG. 2, when a route search is performed with the departure point as the node AX and the destination as the node CY, the road travels from the node AX to the road A, turns right at the second intersection, enters the road C, and reaches the node CY. The link cost is accumulated sequentially, and a route that minimizes the accumulated link cost is searched for and guided. Although other routes from the node AX to the node CY are not shown in FIG. 2, in reality there are other such routes, so a possible route from the node AX to the node CY is similarly searched. Of these routes, the route with the lowest link cost is determined as the optimum route. This method is performed by, for example, a known method called the Dijkstra method.

  Network data for route search using transportation facilities is accumulated in the route route network database 38 as route route network data. For example, when the transportation network data of such a transportation system is composed of traffic routes A, B, and C as shown in FIG. 3, each station provided on each of the traffic routes A, B, and C is used as a node. A section connecting the two is represented by a directional link, and node data (latitude / longitude) and link data (link number) are network data. In FIG. 3, ○ and ◎ indicate nodes, ◎ indicates a transit point (such as a transfer station) on a traffic route, and a directional link connecting each node is indicated by an arrow line (solid line, dotted line, two points). This is indicated by a chain line). As for the links, there are links facing in the upward and downward directions of the traffic route, but in FIG. 3, only the links in the direction of the arrows are shown for the sake of simplicity.

  However, the transportation network for transportation is basically different in link cost from the road network. In other words, in the road network, the link cost is fixed and static. However, in the transportation network, as shown in FIG. 3, trains and airplanes (hereinafter referred to as individual trains and airplanes, etc.) Each route is referred to as a means of transportation), the time of departure from a certain node and the time of arrival at the next node are determined for each means of transportation (specified by timetable data and operation data), and Individual paths may not always link to adjacent nodes. This is the case, for example, with express trains and trains that stop at each station. In such a case, a plurality of different links exist on the same traffic route, and the required time between nodes may differ depending on the transportation means.

  In the transportation network illustrated in FIG. 3, a plurality of transportation means (routes) Aa to Ac... On the same link of the transportation route A, and a plurality of transportation means (routes) Ca to Cc.・ There will be. Therefore, unlike a simple road network, the transportation network of a transportation system has a data amount proportional to the total number of means of transportation (routes of individual aircraft, trains, etc.) for each node, link, and link cost. Compared to the amount of data, the network data has a huge amount of data. Accordingly, much time is required for route search accordingly.

  In order to search for a route from a certain departure point to a certain destination using such transport network data, all the means of transportation that can be used (ride) when arriving from the departure point to the destination are searched. Thus, it is necessary to specify the transportation means that matches the search conditions. For example, in FIG. 3, when performing a route search with the departure point as the node AX of the traffic route A and specifying a certain departure time and the destination of the node CY of the traffic route C, the route operates on the traffic route A. All of the transportation means after the departure time are sequentially selected as the departure route from among the transportation means Aa to Ac, and the transportation route C is operated on the basis of the arrival time at the transit node to the transportation route C. Among all the transportation means Ca to Cc..., All the combinations of transportation means after the time that can be boarded at the transit node are searched and the required time of each route and the number of times of transfer are accumulated and guided.

When the data of the route route network database 38 is a bus route, the data is basically the same as the data of the search road network database 35, but only the roads for which the route of the bus route is set. When performing route search, link data based on operation time is used. In this embodiment, when the guidance terminal device 20 is on a specific bus on a specific route and receives guidance on the estimated arrival time, the link cost of each link is provided from the traffic information providing server 51 at intervals of 5 minutes. The estimated arrival time is calculated using the route route network data temporarily rewritten at the link cost corresponding to the traffic situation. As the traffic information providing server 51, a traffic information providing system called VICS (registered trademark) currently provides this kind of information, and information can be easily obtained using such a traffic information providing (providing) server. can do.

  The network data editing means 37 has a function of temporarily rewriting the link cost of the route route network database 38 in the above-mentioned estimated arrival time calculation into real-time link cost data obtained from the traffic information providing server 51. Then, the estimated arrival time calculation means 33 calculates the estimated arrival time of the bus to the destination using the link cost of the edited route route network data. By this processing, the estimated arrival time at the destination on the bus route on which the passenger carrying the guide terminal device 20 has been calculated is calculated based on the link cost in consideration of the traffic situation in real time, so that the guide terminal device 20 can accurately arrive. You can know the expected time.

  As described later, the guidance terminal device 20 has a large difference between the estimated arrival time and the arrival time based on the estimated arrival time for each predetermined point on the route route on which the boarding apparatus 20 has arrived and the actual time of arrival at the point. A monitoring function for requesting re-prediction to the information distribution server 30 and distributing the latest expected arrival time when the bus has not arrived at that point even after a predetermined time has elapsed from the expected arrival time at a certain point. Have. Therefore, the passenger can monitor the accurate estimated arrival time reflecting the latest traffic situation in real time.

  The route guidance unit 32 selects a bus route on which a passenger has boarded from the guidance terminal device 20 and distributes the route route data to the guidance terminal device 20 when the route route data is requested. In response to a route search request (normal navigation request) from the guidance terminal device 20, the route guide unit 32 creates guide route data based on the optimum guide route data searched by the route search unit 36. Delivered to the guidance terminal device 20. In this guide route data, guide points such as a departure point (departure station), a route inflection point, an intersection, and a destination (destination station) on the guide route searched by the route search means 36 are set. The position coordinates (latitude / longitude) of the point and guidance information related to each guidance point (guidance information for going straight and turning left and right) are included. The guidance terminal device 20 receives this guidance route data, displays the route, and outputs guidance or guidance at the guidance point.

Hereinafter, the function and operation procedure of the bus time guidance according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the screen configuration diagram of FIG. 4 and the operation sequence diagram of FIG. First, when a passenger having the guidance terminal device 20 gets on the bus and wants to receive guidance on the predicted arrival time from the information distribution server 30, a desired processing item is selected from the menu screen shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a screen configuration diagram showing the configuration of a menu screen for operating the guidance terminal device. FIG. 4 (a) is the main menu screen configuration, and FIGS. 4 (b) to 4 (e) are screens. It is a screen block diagram at the time of transition. FIG. 5 is an operation sequence diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the bus time guidance system according to the embodiment.
First, the passenger selects the vehicle search 6 from the menu items 1 to 6 in FIG.

  First, when the passenger selects “navi” in the launcher menu in the guidance terminal device 20, the navigation initial menu screen shown in FIG. 4A is displayed, and the vehicle search 6 is selected from the menu items 1 to 6 on this screen. (See FIG. 5, sequence ST10). When the vehicle search 6 is selected, the selection information of the vehicle search 6 is transmitted to the information distribution server 30, and the information distribution server 30 sends a vehicle search page (vehicle search page display screen data) to the guidance terminal device 20 in the process of sequence ST11. Send.

  The guide terminal device 20 displays the screen data of the vehicle search page, and transitions to the screen shown in FIG. In this screen, there are items “search from the present location”, “search from route list”, and “search from keyword”, and it is possible to select and select a bus route to board. Here, a case where “search from the vicinity of the current location” is selected (see FIG. 5, sequence ST12) will be described. When the item “Search from the vicinity of the current location” is selected, the positioning means 23 measures the current position from the GPS satellite signal (see FIG. 5, sequence ST13). In the processing of the sequence ST14, the current location vicinity search request is transmitted to the information distribution server 30. During processing of the current position device, communication with the information distribution server 30 may be involved depending on the GPS system of the positioning means 23 of the guidance terminal device 20.

  When receiving the current location vicinity search request, the information distribution server 30 refers to the route route network database 38 based on the current location information in the process of sequence ST15, and determines the current location from the bus routes around the current location of the guide terminal device 20. Route route data of the nearest bus route is extracted, and the information distribution server 30 distributes the extracted route route data to the guide terminal device 20 in the process of sequence ST16. When the information on the current position transmitted from the guide terminal device 20 is one piece of position information, the direction of movement of the guide terminal device 20 is unknown. Therefore, it is preferable to list route routes by direction from the bus route closest to the current position.

  The screen shown in FIG. 4C is a screen in which the route information distributed from the information distribution server 30 is displayed on the guidance terminal device 20 as described above. For example, in this case, the Narita Airport route is applicable. The destinations for Narita Airport and Narita Airport are displayed. The corresponding route route data distributed from the information distribution server 30 is the entire data of the selected route route as shown in FIG. 6, and is temporarily stored in the route route data storage means 25 of the guidance terminal device 20. When the passenger is on the bus bound for Narita Airport, the screen selects Narita Airport bound (FIG. 5, sequence ST18), and the selected route and the current position are transmitted to the information distribution server 30.

  During this time, the information distribution server 30 collects data according to the traffic conditions of each road periodically, for example, at intervals of 5 minutes, as shown in the sequence ST17 from the traffic information providing server 51, and the actual link of each time. The travel time, that is, the link cost of each link is collected.

  When the route is confirmed as described above and the information distribution server 30 receives the route route selected from the guidance terminal device 20 and the current position, the matching processing means 39 is added to the route route in the process of sequence ST19. The current position (the current position of the boarded bus) is subjected to matching processing, and the network data editing means 37 uses the route route data stored in the route route network database 38 to determine the network data of the bus route route determined by the selection as traffic information. Temporarily rewritten with the link cost data of the time obtained from the providing server 51, and in the process of sequence ST20, the estimated arrival time calculation means 33 sets the estimated arrival time to the destination (destination) of the relevant route from the current position as the starting point. The guidance terminal device 2 is calculated and processed in the process of sequence ST21. To deliver the data of the expected arrival time of the data and the matching process the route path.

  Here, in the vehicle search, unlike the normal route search request, the information distribution server 30 does not perform (do not perform) the shortest route search and calls a predetermined route route (selected by the guidance terminal device 20). There is a special feature. In addition, timetable information such as when the bus starts is unnecessary. By simply specifying a route route and transmitting the current position to the information distribution server 30, the required time to the end of the route route (the destination NARITA) is calculated using the current position as a starting point (START). As described above, the estimated arrival time is delivered to the guide terminal device 20 in the sequence ST21. As shown in FIG. 4E, the current route mark (see FIG. 4) is displayed on the reduced route route. And the latest estimated arrival time at the destination is displayed in the lower row (FIG. 5, sequence ST22). In such processing, according to the present invention, the estimated arrival time and the route route display can be obtained independently without using any bus equipment.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the remaining route route to the destination (NARITA) with the current position on the selected route route (see FIG. 6) as the starting point (START), and the route point (see FIG. 7, the information distribution server 30 calculates the estimated arrival time of each waypoint in addition to the destination. A transit point is, for example, a main node on each bus stop or route route on a high-speed bus route. When the estimated arrival time of each waypoint on the route is calculated in this way, the guidance terminal device 20 has a monitoring (monitoring) function, and the estimated arrival time can be changed by using the monitoring function during operation of the bus on which the boarding is performed. It can be monitored. As a result of monitoring, if there is a certain divergence between the estimated arrival time at a certain waypoint and the actual arrival time, or even if a predetermined time has elapsed from the estimated arrival time at a certain waypoint, this route point is still reached. If not (also in this case, there is a divergence beyond a predetermined time), the guidance terminal device 20 can request the information distribution server 30 to re-predict. In addition, when distributing the estimated arrival time, the information distribution server 30 obtains the estimated arrival time at the main node in addition to the bus stop, and distributes it to the guidance terminal device 20 for non-display purposes.

  The monitoring process will be described below with reference to sequence ST23 to sequence ST30 in FIG. When operating the “monitor start” button on the display screen of FIG. 4D, the guide terminal device 20 measures the current position by the positioning means 23 in step ST24. In the process of sequence ST25, there is a certain divergence between the expected arrival time at a certain waypoint and the actual expected arrival time, or even if a predetermined time elapses from the expected arrival time at a certain waypoint When it is determined whether or not there has been a divergence, or when the estimated arrival time has not reached the transit point even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the information distribution server 30 is informed in sequence ST26. Send a re-prediction request for arrival time. As a result, the latest arrival prediction can be provided while always reflecting the influence of changes in traffic jams.

  When receiving the re-prediction request, the information distribution server 30 calculates the predicted arrival time from the current location to the destination again in the processing of sequence ST27 and sequence ST28. This processing is the same as the processing in the above-described sequence ST19 to sequence ST21. The information distribution server 30 distributes the estimated arrival time calculated again to the guidance terminal device 20, and when receiving the distributed estimated arrival time, the guidance terminal device 20 displays it in the process of sequence ST29.

  As a result of the re-prediction obtained in this way, the current location is indicated by a bus icon image on the route route map reduced as shown in the display screen of FIG. Is displayed. On the display screen of FIG. 4E, by operating the “monitor end” button, the monitoring ends in the process of sequence ST30, and the process of the arrival time guidance ends.

  In this way, the mobile terminal can be used as the guidance terminal device 20 to communicate with the information distribution server 30 (route search server) to obtain the estimated arrival time of the bus on which the passenger is riding, so that special equipment is provided on the vehicle side. There is no need to prepare. Therefore, if route route data is prepared, it can be implemented immediately.

  In addition, since the monitor function is connected to the information distribution server 30 after the arrival prediction starts to deviate, many clients (cell phones) do not unnecessarily burden the information distribution server 30. It is also suitable for implementation on systems with

It is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration of a bus time guidance system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the concept of the data of the road network for a route search. It is a schematic diagram which shows the concept of the data of the route route network for route search of a transportation system. It is a screen block diagram which shows the structure of the menu screen for operating a guidance terminal device, FIG.4 (a) is a screen structure of a main menu, FIG.4 (b)-FIG.4 (e) each when a screen transition is carried out FIG. It is an operation | movement sequence diagram which shows the operation | movement procedure of the bus time guidance system concerning the Example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the whole route route of the bus route selected by the guidance terminal device. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a remaining route route to a destination (NARITA) with the current position of the guidance terminal device as a starting point (START) on the route route of FIG. 6.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Bus time guidance system 11 ... Network 12 ... Network 20 ... Guide terminal device 21 ... Control means 22 ... Communication means 23 ... Positioning means 24... Display means 25... Route route data storage means 26... Distribution request editing means 27... Operation / input means 30. 32 ... Route guidance means 33 ... Estimated arrival time calculation means 34 ... Communication means 35 ... Road network database for search 36 ... Route search means 37 ... Network data Editing means 38 ... Route route network database 39 ... Matching processing means 51 ... Traffic information providing server (VICS)

Claims (11)

In a bus time guidance system comprising a portable guidance terminal device connected via a network and an information distribution server,
The portable guidance terminal device displays positioning means for positioning the current position, transmission means for transmitting the current position determined by the positioning means to the information distribution server, route route received from the information distribution server, and estimated arrival time. Display means, and means for selectively inputting a bus route from among the route routes displayed on the display means,
The information distribution server is extracted by a route route network database that accumulates route route network data of a bus, an extraction unit that extracts a route route based on a current position received from the portable guidance terminal device, and an extraction unit A transmission means for transmitting a route route to the portable guidance terminal device; an estimated arrival time calculation means for calculating an estimated arrival time at a destination on the route route of the bus selected by the portable guidance terminal device; and traffic information provision Network data editing that collects traffic information provided in real time from a server and temporarily rewrites the selected route route network data among route route network data stored in the route route network database based on the traffic information Means and a matching processing means,
Wherein the portable guide terminal device matching process the current position positioning the route path of the bus selected in the portable guide terminal device, the current position as a starting point, using a route path network data network data editing means rewrites bus time guidance system, characterized in that the estimated arrival time calculation means calculates an estimated arrival time to the destination of the route path, for delivery to the portable guide terminal Te.   2. The bus time guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the positioning means includes a GPS receiver and receives a GPS satellite signal to determine a position. The bus time guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the traffic information providing server is a server constituting a traffic information providing system.   The information distribution server sets a plurality of points on a route route, and when the portable guidance terminal device passes a specific point, the estimated arrival time at the specific point deviates beyond a predetermined value. 2. The bus time according to claim 1, wherein, in response to a re-prediction request from the portable guidance terminal device, a predicted arrival time from the specific point to each of the previous points is recalculated. Guidance system. Positioning means for positioning the current position, transmission means for transmitting the current position measured by the positioning means to the information distribution server, display means for displaying the route route and estimated arrival time received from the information distribution server, and the display means Means for selecting and inputting a bus route from among the route routes displayed on the information distribution server connected via a network to a portable guidance terminal device,
The information distribution server is extracted by a route route network database that accumulates route route network data of a bus, an extraction unit that extracts a route route based on a current position received from the portable guidance terminal device, and an extraction unit A transmission means for transmitting a route route to the portable guidance terminal device; an estimated arrival time calculation means for calculating an estimated arrival time at a destination on the route route of the bus selected by the portable guidance terminal device; and traffic information provision Network data editing that collects traffic information provided in real time from a server and temporarily rewrites the selected route route network data among route route network data stored in the route route network database based on the traffic information Means and a matching processing means,
Wherein the portable guide terminal device matching process the current position positioning the route path of the bus selected in the portable guide terminal device, the current position as a starting point, using a route path network data network data editing means rewrites information distribution server, wherein said estimated arrival time calculation means calculates an estimated arrival time to the destination of the route path, for delivery to the portable guide terminal Te. 6. The information distribution server according to claim 5, wherein the traffic information providing server is a server constituting a traffic information providing system. The information distribution server sets a plurality of points on a route route, and when the portable guidance terminal device passes a specific point, the estimated arrival time at the specific point deviates beyond a predetermined value. 6. The information distribution according to claim 5, wherein, in response to a re-prediction request from the portable guidance terminal device, an estimated arrival time from the specific point to each point ahead is recalculated. server. Route route network database storing route route network data of buses, extraction means for extracting route routes based on the current position received from the portable guidance terminal device, and route guidance extracted by the extraction means to the portable guidance Provided in real time from a transmission means for transmitting to the terminal device, an estimated arrival time calculating means for calculating an estimated arrival time at the destination on the route route of the bus selected by the portable guidance terminal device, and a traffic information providing server Network data editing means for collecting traffic information and temporarily rewriting the selected route route network data among route route network data stored in the route route network database based on the traffic information; and a matching processing means; The bus route selected by the portable guide terminal device The current position where the mobile guide terminal device has positioning the road matching process, the current position as a starting point, the estimated arrival time calculation means with the route path network data network data editing means is rewritten in the line path It calculates the expected arrival time to the destination, a portable guide terminal device connected via a network to the information distribution server for distributing the portable guide terminal device,
The portable guidance terminal device displays positioning means for positioning the current position, transmission means for transmitting the current position determined by the positioning means to the information distribution server, route route received from the information distribution server, and estimated arrival time. A portable guidance terminal device comprising: display means for displaying and means for selectively inputting a bus route from among route routes displayed on the display means.   9. The portable guidance terminal device according to claim 8, wherein the positioning means includes a GPS receiver and receives a GPS satellite signal to measure a position. Positioning means for positioning the current position, transmission means for transmitting the current position measured by the positioning means to the information distribution server, display means for displaying the route route and estimated arrival time received from the information distribution server, and the display means Means for selecting and inputting a bus route from among the route routes displayed on the information distribution server connected via a network to a portable guidance terminal device,
Route route network database storing route route network data of buses, extraction means for extracting route routes based on the current position received from the portable guidance terminal device, and route routes extracted by the extraction means to the portable Provided in real time from a transmission means for transmitting to the guidance terminal device, an expected arrival time calculation means for calculating an estimated arrival time at the destination on the route route of the bus selected by the portable guidance terminal device, and a traffic information providing server Network data editing means for temporarily rewriting the selected route route network data out of route route network data stored in the route route network database based on the traffic information, and matching processing means And a computer constituting an information distribution server comprising
Wherein the portable guide terminal device matching process the current position positioning the route path of the bus portable guide terminal device selects, the current position as a starting point, using a route path network data network data editing means rewrites program the estimated arrival time calculation means calculates an estimated arrival time to the destination of the route path, characterized in that to execute a process to be delivered to the portable guide terminal Te. In the computer constituting the information distribution server,
When a plurality of points are set on the route, and when the portable guidance terminal device passes through the specific point, the estimated arrival time at the specific point has deviated beyond a predetermined value. The program according to claim 10, wherein a process for recalculating the estimated arrival time from the specific point to each of the previous points is executed in response to a re-prediction request from the portable guidance terminal device.

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