JP5053135B2 - Traffic information display system, traffic information display server, traffic information display method, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a traffic information display technique for displaying traffic information on a terminal.

  Information terminals that display traffic information are known, including information terminals that provide route guidance to cars and pedestrians by using computerized map data that can be used by computers. “Route guidance” means that information about destinations and waypoints is stored in advance in the memory etc. of the information terminal, and the information terminal uses guidance according to the route to the waypoint or destination while moving. This is an action to be performed on a person. A technique for transferring image data representing an image on a route from a server to an information terminal as necessary during execution of route guidance is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-42796 A JP 2006-84184 A JP 2007-93372 A

  However, in the above prior art, it is not considered to transfer the traffic information from the server to the information terminal in cases other than during route guidance. For this reason, in cases other than route guidance, for example, when the user's destination is not fixed, such as when a map around the current location of the user is displayed on the information terminal, the information terminal There is a risk that transfer of image data to the camera becomes difficult. Such a problem is not limited to the transfer of image data, but is a problem common to the case of transferring information about traffic from the server to the information terminal.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for transferring appropriate traffic information from a server to an information terminal even when route guidance is not being performed.

The present invention can be realized as the following forms or application examples in order to solve at least a part of the above-described problems.
A system of a first form includes a terminal and a server that are communicably connected via a communication network, and is a traffic information display system for displaying traffic information,
The terminal
Current position information acquisition means for acquiring current position information representing the current position of the user;
Current position information transmitting means for transmitting the current position information to the server;
Attribute information presentation means for presenting presentation attribute information received from the server to a user;
With
The server
Route information acquisition means for acquiring route information representing a traffic route;
Attribute information acquisition means for acquiring attribute information associated with a point or section on the traffic route represented by the route information;
Estimating means for estimating a user route that is the traffic route where the user is located based on the current position information and the route information received from the terminal ;
Based on the estimated user route, presentation attribute information determining means for determining presentation attribute information to be presented to the user from among the attribute information;
Attribute information transmitting means for transmitting the presentation attribute information to the terminal;
Equipped with a,
The estimating means further estimates a moving direction of the user in the user route based on the current position information and the route information,
The presentation attribute information determining means determines, as the presentation attribute information, attribute information associated with a point or section on the traffic route to be reached when the user travels the user route in the movement direction. And
The server further generates position information for specifying a presentation position where the presentation attribute information should be presented to the user based on a point or a section on the traffic route with which the presentation attribute information is associated. Comprising location information generating means,
The attribute information transmitting means transmits the position information to the terminal together with the presentation attribute information,
The attribute information presentation means presents the presentation attribute information to the user when the user reaches the presentation position specified based on the position information,
The estimating means further estimates a moving speed of the user based on the current position information,
The presentation attribute information determination means estimates a reachable estimated section on a route network that can be reached within a predetermined time based on the estimated moving speed, and a plurality of attributes in which the presentation position is included in the reachable estimated section Information is determined as the presentation attribute information,
The attribute information transmitting unit transmits a plurality of the determined presentation attribute information collectively . According to this traffic information display system, a user route is estimated based on the current position information, and attribute information to be presented to the user is determined based on the estimation result. As a result, appropriate attribute information can be presented to the user even during route guidance.

[Application Example 1]
A traffic information display system, comprising: a terminal; and a server installed at a location different from the terminal, wherein the terminal acquires current position information indicating current position information of the terminal; Terminal information transmission means for transmitting terminal information including the current position information to the server, and guidance information presentation means for presenting guidance information received from the server to a user of the terminal, Received from the terminal, route information acquisition means capable of acquiring route information representing a traffic route, attribute information acquisition means capable of acquiring attribute information associated with a point or section on the traffic route represented by the route information, Estimating means for estimating a user route that is the traffic route in which the user of the terminal is located based on the terminal information and the route information, and the estimated user route Based on the attribute information that can be acquired, presentation attribute information determining means for determining presentation attribute information to be presented to the user at the terminal, and the guidance information including the presentation attribute information is transmitted to the terminal. A traffic information display system comprising: guidance information transmission means.
In this way, the server estimates the user route based on the terminal information including the current position information, and determines the traffic information to be transmitted to the terminal based on the estimation result. As a result, appropriate traffic information can be transmitted from the server to the terminal and presented to the user at the terminal even when the route guidance is not in progress.

[Application Example 2] In the traffic information display system according to Application Example 1, the estimation unit may further determine a moving direction of the user of the terminal in the user route based on the terminal information and the route information. The presentation attribute information determination means estimates the attribute information associated with a point or section on the traffic route to be reached when the user travels the user route in the movement direction, Traffic information display system determined as information.
In this way, the moving direction of the user is estimated, and the attribute information associated with the section to be moved and reached in the moving direction is used as the presentation attribute information. Therefore, the necessary traffic information can be determined more accurately. Can do.

Application Example 3 In the traffic information display system according to Application Example 1 or Application Example 2, the server further includes the presentation attribute based on a point or a section on the traffic route with which the presentation attribute information is associated. A position information generating unit configured to generate position information for specifying a presentation position where information should be presented to the user, wherein the guide information transmitting unit of the server sends the position information together with the presentation attribute information to the terminal; The guidance information presentation unit of the terminal presents the presentation attribute information to the user of the terminal when the user reaches the presentation position specified based on the position information. Traffic information display system.
By so doing, the server generates position information for specifying the presentation position and transmits it to the terminal, so that the terminal can display the presentation attribute information at an appropriate position using the position information.
[Application Example 4] In the traffic information display system according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 3,
The estimation means of the server further determines a moving speed of the user of the terminal based on the terminal information, and the presentation attribute information determining means uses the moving speed to transmit a plurality of A traffic information display system for determining the presentation attribute information.
In this way, since a plurality of presentation attribute information determined using the user's moving speed is transmitted together, the number of communications between the terminal and the server can be suppressed.

Application Example 5 In the traffic information display system according to any one of Application Example 1 to Application Example 4, the estimation unit of the server further includes a moving unit for a user of the terminal based on the terminal information. Recognizing and the said presentation attribute information determination means determine the said presentation attribute information which changes according to the said moving means, The traffic information display system.
In this way, since the user's moving means is recognized, information corresponding to the moving means can be presented to the user.

A. Example:
・ Schematic configuration of traffic information display system:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a traffic information display system 10 as an embodiment of the present invention. The traffic information display system 10 includes a server system 1000, a base station BS, and a mobile terminal 200. The server system 1000 includes a route information server 100 and a map server 150. The route information server 100, the map server 150, and the base station BS are communicably connected via the Internet INT as a network. The mobile terminal 200 can wirelessly communicate with the base station BS. As a result, the mobile terminal 200 can communicate with the route information server 100 and the map server 150 via the base station BS.

  The mobile terminal 200 includes a GPS receiver 201, a display panel 202, an audio output unit 204, a key input unit 205, a wireless communication circuit 206, a call control unit 207, an external storage device 208, and a main control unit 210. And. The portable terminal 200 can function as a terminal that displays traffic information including a map. The mobile terminal 200 includes a GPS receiver 201, and has a function of performing route guidance using this and the map display function.

  The GPS receiver 201 is a device that receives radio waves transmitted from artificial satellites that constitute a GPS (Global Positioning System / Global Positioning System). The display panel 202 includes a liquid crystal display and a drive circuit that drives the liquid crystal display. The liquid crystal display has a resolution of, for example, 480 pixels × 640 pixels (VGA). The display panel 202 is not limited to a liquid crystal display, and various display devices such as an organic EL display can be employed. The voice output unit 204 includes a speaker for outputting voice during route guidance, a circuit for driving the speaker, and the like. The key input unit 205 includes a group of keys such as a direction input key 205a and other operation keys 205b. The user of the portable terminal 200 can perform various operations by using these keys. The wireless communication circuit 206 is a circuit for performing data communication or voice communication with the base station BS. The wireless communication circuit 206 is a circuit for accessing the route information server 100 and the map server 150 via the base station BS. The call control unit 207 is a circuit that performs incoming calls and calls for voice calls, conversion of voice signals and electric signals, and the like. By providing the call control unit 207 and the wireless communication circuit 206, the mobile terminal 200 can operate as a mobile phone. The external storage device 208 can be configured with a hard disk, a flash memory, a memory card, and the like. The external storage device 208 is used for storing various software and various data. The main control unit 210 of the mobile terminal 200 is a controller for controlling the above-described units 201 to 208 of the mobile terminal 200. The main control unit 210 includes a central processing circuit (CPU) (not shown) and an internal storage device such as a ROM or a RAM.

  When the mobile terminal 200 functions as a terminal for displaying traffic information, a program for map display and route guidance is stored in the internal storage device of the main control unit 210. This program may be distributed via the Internet INT and the base station BS, for example, by a business operator who operates the map server 150 or the route information server 100. This program is stored in, for example, the external storage device 208, and is read from the external storage device 208 and stored in the internal storage device of the main control unit 210 when used. By executing this program, the main control unit 210 realizes various processes and functions to be described later, specifically, for example, functions as current position information acquisition means, terminal information transmission means, and guidance information presentation means. .

  The route information server 100 includes a communication unit 102, a control unit 104, and a storage unit 105. The communication unit 102 can communicate with the map server 150 via the Internet INT, and can communicate with the mobile terminal 200 via the Internet INT and the base station BS. The storage unit 105 stores a vehicle route database (DB) 106, a train route database (DB) 107, a walking route database (DB) 108, and a facility database 109. Each database 106-109 will be described later.

  The map server 150 includes a communication unit 152, a control unit 154, and a storage unit 155. The storage unit 155 stores a map database 156. The communication unit 152 can communicate with the route information server 100 via the Internet INT, and can communicate with the mobile terminal 200 via the Internet INT and the base station BS. The map database 156 will be described later.

  The control unit 104 of the route information server 100 and the control unit 154 of the map server 150 each include a CPU (not shown) and an internal storage device such as a ROM or a RAM. The control unit 104 and the control unit 154 execute various programs stored in an internal storage device (RAM or ROM) to estimate various processes and functions described later, for example, route information acquisition means and user routes. The function as an estimation means, a presentation attribute information determination means, a guidance information transmission means, and a position information generation means is realized.

  In this embodiment, the map server 150 and the route information server 100 are connected via the Internet and constitute one server system 1000. However, the map server 150 and the route information server 100 may be connected via a LAN (local area network). Good. The server system 1000 can also be configured using a single server computer.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the contents of the database stored in the server system 1000. FIG. 2 conceptually shows the contents of the map database 156, the car route database 106, the train route database 107, the walking route database 108, and the facility database 109 described above.

  The map database 156 stores data (map image data) representing a map image transmitted to the mobile terminal 200 in a vector data format. The map image data may be stored in a raster data format such as a bitmap format or a JPEG data format instead of the vector data format. The map image data includes data representing the shape of topography, buildings, roads, and the like.

  Different types of route data are stored in the three types of route databases 106, 107, and 108. The vehicle route database 106 stores route data related to a route (a roadway) through which a vehicle can pass among traffic routes existing in an area corresponding to the map image represented by the map image data. The train route database 107 stores route data related to a route (railway) through which a train passes among traffic routes existing in an area corresponding to the map image represented by the map image data. The walking route database 108 stores route data related to routes (pedestrian roads) through which pedestrians can pass among traffic routes that exist in an area corresponding to the map image represented by the map image data.

  Each route data includes network data indicating the arrangement of traffic routes on the ground surface and route attribute information associated with the network data. The network data includes node data representing element points ND (referred to as nodes) in the traffic route and link data representing line segments LK (referred to as links) connecting the nodes. The node ND represents, for example, an intersection, a branch point, an end point, a start point, and the like. The link LK represents a traffic route such as the above-described roadway, track, and pedestrian road. The route attribute information is associated with the node ND or the link LK and is information indicating the attribute. As shown in FIG. 2, the route attribute information includes text data Z11 including, for example, the name of a link LK (for example, the name of a road) and the name of a node ND (for example, the name of an intersection or a station). Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the route attribute information may include, for example, image data Z12 representing an image related to the associated node ND. The image related to the node ND includes, for example, a schematic diagram showing a branching situation of the node ND (for example, an intersection or a station), an image showing a guide board, or a photographed image around the node ND. The route attribute information associated with one node ND or link LK may be one or plural.

  The route data for the route that both the car and the pedestrian can pass are recorded in the vehicle route database 106 and the walking route database 108 in duplicate. The route data for a route such as an expressway where pedestrians cannot pass but vehicles can pass is not recorded in the walking route database 108 but is recorded in the vehicle route database 106. Similarly, route data about a route that a pedestrian can pass, such as a sidewalk, a pedestrian bridge, and an underground street, is not recorded in the vehicle route database 106 but is recorded in the walking route database 108. .

  The facility database 109 includes a facility point BP that represents the position of a facility that exists in an area corresponding to the map image represented by the map image data, and facility attribute information associated with the facility point BP. The facility attribute information includes, for example, the name Z21 of the facility that exists at the position represented by the facility point BP. Further, the facility attribute information may include, for example, a description Z22 such as classification information, type, and feature of the corresponding facility. The facility attribute information associated with one facility point BP may be one or plural.

・ Operation of traffic information display system:
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the map display process. In this embodiment, the traffic information display system 10 provides a map display service to the user of the mobile terminal 200. The map display service executes map display processing.

  The map display process is a process of displaying a map image on the mobile terminal 200 in cooperation with the mobile terminal 200 and the server system 1000. Specifically, the main control unit 210 of the mobile terminal 200 transmits a map image data transmission request to the map server 150 by designating the current position measured by GPS. The control unit 154 of the map server 150 transmits map image data around the current position to the mobile terminal 200 as a response to the transmission request. The main control unit 210 of the mobile terminal 200 displays a map image on the display panel 202 using the received map image data. The map image on the display panel 202 is updated every predetermined period (for example, 1 second), and when the user of the mobile terminal 200 moves, the map image appears to scroll according to the movement of the user.

  When the map display process is being executed, the display panel 202 displays a map image display unit MW and an information display unit IW. The information display unit IW does not have to be an image separated from the map image display unit MW. For example, the information display unit IW may be a pop-up screen displayed superimposed on the map image display unit MW. By the map display processing, a map image of a predetermined range centering on the current position of the user is displayed on the map image display unit MW. In the map image display unit MW, the current location mark CM indicates the current position of the user in the map image. Although the route image RT is included in the map image, the mobile terminal 200 handles the map image as one image, and does not recognize that the portion of the route image RT is a route.

  In the present embodiment, in the map display service, a traffic information display process for displaying the traffic information on the information display unit IW described above is executed in parallel with the map display process. In the present embodiment, while the traffic information display processing is being performed, the route guidance processing for setting the destination and performing the route guidance is not performed, and the map is simply based on the current position of the user. It is assumed that only map display processing for displaying an image is performed in parallel.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of the traffic information display process. In the traffic information processing, the main control unit 210 of the mobile terminal 200 transmits terminal information to the server system 1000 (step S110).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of terminal information and route data. In this embodiment, the terminal information TM includes a plurality of position information PM and moving means information MM. FIG. 5 shows a plurality of positions P0 to P4 represented by the position information PM included in the terminal information TM. These positions P0 to P4 are represented by coordinate information representing positions measured using the GPS receiver 201. The plurality of positions P0 to P4 are measured by the GPS receiver 201 with a predetermined time interval (for example, 1 second), and are recorded in the terminal information TM in such a manner that the positioning order can be specified. Specifically, for example, coordinate information representing each position is described in association with an integer from 0 to 5. The number n of the position Pn (n is an integer of 0 or more) represented by the position information indicates the order of positioning. The moving means information MM is information for specifying the moving means of the user. Examples of the user's moving means include walking, car, and train. The portable terminal 200 recognizes the user's moving means by receiving the input of the moving means information MM from the user.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the server system 1000, when the control unit 104 of the route information server 100 receives the terminal information TM transmitted from the mobile terminal 200 (step S210), the control unit 104 of the route information server 100 Based on the moving means information MM included in the received terminal information TM, the moving means of the user is recognized (step S220).

  Next, when the moving means of the user is recognized, the control unit 104 selects a search target route database according to the recognized moving means (step S230). As described above, the storage unit 105 of the route information server 100 stores three types of route databases, that is, the vehicle route database 106, the train route database 107, and the walking route database 108. The control unit 104 selects a route database corresponding to the recognized moving means from these route databases.

  When the search target route database is selected, the control unit 104 estimates the user route PTH, the user movement direction PD, and the user movement speed PV (step S240). The user route PTH is a traffic route in which the user of the mobile terminal 200 is located, and specifically, a roadway on which a vehicle on which the user is riding is running, a sidewalk on which the user is walking, a user It is the track on which the train on which is riding is running. The user movement direction PD is the direction in which the user is moving in the user path, and the user movement speed PV is the speed in which the user is moving in the user path.

  The estimation of the user route PTH is performed by network matching in which the positions P0 to P4 represented by the position information PM included in the terminal information TM are compared with the network data in the route data recorded in the selected route database. FIG. 5 shows an example of network data together with positions P0 to P4. Here, a link Lij connecting the node Nn (n is a natural number) and the nodes Ni and Nj is shown. In the example shown in FIG. 5, since the positions P0 to P4 are located along the link L12 connecting the node N1 and the node N2, the control unit 104 determines that the user route PTH is a route corresponding to the link L12. Estimated. In actual network data, one route is represented by two links, an uplink and a downlink, and one intersection is represented by four nodes. For example, as shown in the lower left of FIG. 5 about the periphery of the node N2, the intersection represented by the node N2 is represented by four nodes N2, N22, K2, and K22, and the path represented by the link L12 is the uplink L12, It is represented by two links of downlink K12. However, in the upper diagram of FIG. 5, in order to avoid the complexity of the diagram, one route is represented by one link, and one intersection is represented by one node.

  The user movement direction PD means in which direction along the estimated user route PTH the user is moving. User movement direction PD is estimated based on positions P0 to P4 represented by position information PM included in terminal information TM. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the control unit 104 estimates that the user direction PD is a direction toward the node N2 along the link L12.

  The user moving speed PV is estimated based on the positions P0 to P4 represented by the position information PM included in the terminal information TM and the time intervals at which the positions P0 to P4 are measured. The time interval at which the positions P0 to P4 are measured may be described in the terminal information TM transmitted from the mobile terminal 200, or may be a predetermined constant value.

  When these estimations are made, the control unit 104 determines presentation attribute information to be transmitted to the mobile terminal 200 (step S250). The presentation attribute information is information that is a candidate to be presented to the user among the route attribute information associated with nodes and links that exist in the vicinity of the position of the mobile terminal 200. Such information includes, for example, an image of a direction guide signboard, an image of a highway junction (JCT), an image of an intersection or an underground entrance, and the like.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining determination of presentation attribute information. In FIG. 6, the point represented by the symbol PP represents the current position of the user (mobile terminal 200). The current position PP is, for example, the last position (position P4 in the example of FIG. 4) in the time series order among the positions represented by the position information TM included in the terminal information. In FIG. 6, a section SE indicated by a broken line represents the reachable estimation section SE. The reachable estimated section SE is a section in which the user is estimated to be reachable from the current position PP at a predetermined time (referred to as a first predetermined period t1; for example, 60 seconds).

  The reachable estimation section SE is determined on the assumption that the user path PTH moves from the current position PP at the user movement speed PV in the user movement direction PD. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the section from the current position PP to the node N2, the section from the node N2 to the node N3 along the link L23, and the node N2 to the node N4 along the link N24. And a section from the node N2 to a position before the node N5 along the link N25 is a reachable estimated section SE. Thus, when a branch point such as the node N2 is included in the reachable estimation section SE, it is a link other than the link where the current position PP is located (link L12 in the example of FIG. 6), and the node N2 The reachable estimation section SE is determined for all the links branched from (links L23, L24, L25 in the example of FIG. 6).

  In FIG. 6, a point An (n is a natural number of 2 to 5) indicated by a double circle indicates a node Nn to a user who moves toward the node Nn through the link where the point An is located. The information presentation position which presents the guidance information regarding For example, when the user is moving from the node N2 toward the node N4, guidance information regarding the node N4 is displayed on the display panel 202 of the mobile terminal 200 at the timing when the user reaches the information presentation position A4. The coordinates of the information presentation position An may be stored in each route database as a part of route data, or may be defined as a position that is a predetermined distance from the node Nn. In this embodiment, the guidance information related to the node Nn is route attribute information (specifically, FIG. 2: text data Z11 and image data Z12) associated with the node Nn.

  The control unit 104 determines the route attribute information associated with the node Nn in which the information presentation position An is included in the set reachable estimation section SE as the presentation attribute information. In the example shown in FIG. 6, since the four information presentation positions A2, A3, A4, and A5 are included in the reachable estimation section SE, they are associated with the corresponding nodes N2, N3, N4, and N5. Each piece of route attribute information is used as presentation attribute information.

  When the presentation attribute information is determined, the control unit 104 of the route information server 100 transmits the determined presentation attribute information as guidance information to the mobile terminal 200 (step S260).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram conceptually showing the contents of a transmission file including guidance information. This transmission file is an example of a file used when transmitting route attribute information associated with the nodes N2, N3, N4, and N5 in FIG. 6 to the portable terminal 200 as guide information. In the transmission file, the route attribute information as the guide information described above is recorded in association with the coordinates of the node Nn (node coordinates) and the information presentation position An of the route attribute information (information presentation position coordinates). Has been. Latitude and longitude are recorded as coordinate information of the information presentation positions A2, A3, A4, and A5.

  In step S <b> 120 of FIG. 4, the main control unit 210 of the mobile terminal 200 receives the above-described transmission file including guidance information from the server system 1000. When the transmission file is received, the main control unit 210 determines whether or not a predetermined period (referred to as a second predetermined period t2; for example, 50 seconds) has elapsed since the reception of the transmission file (step S130).

  In step S130, when the main control unit 210 determines that the second predetermined period t2 has elapsed, the process returns to step S110. As a result, the processing of steps S110 to S120 described above in the portable terminal 200 and the processing of steps S210 to S260 described above in the server system 1000 are repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S130 that the second predetermined period t2 has not elapsed (step S130: NO), the main control unit 210 of the mobile terminal 200 describes the current location of the user in the transmission file. It is determined whether or not the information presentation position An has been reached (step S140). This determination is made by comparing the information presentation position An described in the transmission file with the current position periodically measured by the GPS receiver 201. If the main control unit 210 determines that the current position of the user has not reached the information presentation position An (step S140: NO), the main control unit 210 performs a process of determining whether or not a predetermined period t2 has elapsed since the reception of the transmission file. It executes again (step S130).

  On the other hand, when the main control unit 210 determines that the current position of the user has reached the information presentation position An (step S140: YES), the main control unit 210 displays the guidance information to be displayed at the reached information presentation position An on the display panel 202. (Step S150). The displayed guidance information is the route attribute information of the node Nn associated with the reached information presentation position An in the guidance file received in step S120.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of guidance information display. When the user moves and the user reaches the information presentation position A2 or passes this position A2, as indicated by the current location mark CM in FIG. 8, the main control unit 210 displays the display panel 202. The guidance information of the node N2 is displayed on the information display section IW. As shown in FIG. 8, the guidance information displayed on the information display unit IW is the name of the intersection indicated by the node N2 and a three-dimensional display image of the intersection. Is displayed using the route attribute information stored as. In FIG. 8, the arrow and the word “to direction” are expressed by image data in this embodiment. As for the word “to direction”, the main control unit 210 may superimpose and display character data (text data) stored in advance in the external storage device 208 or the like.

  Note that the guidance information of the node N2 is displayed on the information display unit IW during a period in which the current position of the user is within the guidance display range from the information presentation position A2 to the node N2. When the user reaches the node N2, the guidance display is erased, but the processing is omitted in the flowchart of FIG. 4 to avoid complication.

  When the guidance information is displayed, the main control unit 210 returns to step S130. As a result, a process of updating the guide information held by the mobile terminal 200 is performed every second predetermined period t2. Here, it is preferable that the second predetermined period t2 is sufficiently shorter than the first predetermined period t1 (FIG. 6) used for determining the reachable estimation section SE described above. By doing so, it is possible to update the guidance information held by the mobile terminal 200 so that necessary guidance information is always held in the mobile terminal 200 according to the movement of the user.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating another example of display of guidance information. The display panel 202 shown in FIG. 9 shows an example when the user is on a vehicle traveling on a highway. In this case, guidance information for junctions such as junctions, service areas, entrances and exits of highways is displayed on the information display section IW even when route guidance is not being performed.

  According to the embodiment described above, it is possible to transfer the guide information of the point in the moving direction of the user from the route information server 100 to the portable terminal 200 according to the movement of the user even when the route guidance is not being performed. it can. As a result, guidance information can be displayed on the display panel 202 of the mobile terminal 200 in accordance with the movement of the user, so that the added value of the map display service is improved. Furthermore, since the guidance information held by the mobile terminal 200 is transmitted from the server every predetermined period according to the current location of the user, the mobile terminal 200 appropriately guides without holding a large amount of guidance information. Information can be displayed. Furthermore, since the server estimates the moving range of the user, determines necessary guidance information, and transmits a plurality of guidance information from the routing information server 100 to the mobile terminal 200 by a single communication process. The communication load between the server 100 and the portable terminal 200 can be suppressed.

B. Variations:
First Modification: In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the route information server 100 uses the plurality of position information PM included in the terminal information TM to use the user route PTH and the user movement direction PD. The user moving speed PV is estimated, but only some of them may be estimated. For example, the route information server 100 may estimate only the user route PTH and transmit guidance information regarding nodes at both ends of the user route PTH to the mobile terminal 200.

  -2nd modification: In the said Example, although the user inputs the kind of moving means in the portable terminal 200 and transmits moving means information from the portable terminal 200 to the route information server 100, instead of this, Based on the plurality of pieces of position information, the route information server 100 may estimate the user's moving means. For example, in the route information server 100, when the user moving speed PV is always slower than a predetermined value, it may be estimated that the moving means of the user is walking. Alternatively, when the user is moving in one direction at a stable speed, it may be estimated that the user's moving means is a train. Further, not only the user moving speed PV but also the vehicle route database 106, the train route database 107, the walking route database 108, and the user route may be compared to estimate the moving means of the user.

  Third modified example: In the above embodiment, the route information server 100 estimates the user movement direction PD and the user movement speed PV, but the portable terminal 200 may estimate them. The portable terminal 200 estimates the user movement direction PD and the user movement speed PV based on the periodic positioning result by the GPS receiver 201, includes the estimation result in the terminal information, and transmits it to the route information server 100. You may do it. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 200 may include a gyro sensor, and the measurement result of the gyro sensor may be further used for estimating the user movement direction PD and the user movement speed PV.

  -Fourth modification: In the above embodiment, the information presented to the user as guidance information is information on intersections and information on highway branches, etc. Various feature information such as the property and name of the link can be used. For example, when it is determined that the user is on a train, the route information server 100 may transmit guidance regarding the next stop station to the portable terminal 200 as guidance information, or the next transfer is possible. You may transmit the transfer guidance in a station to the portable terminal 200 as guidance information.

  -5th modification: Although the presentation attribute information transmitted collectively in the said Example is determined using the reachable estimation area SE, it may replace with this and may determine with another method. . For example, the attribute information of all nodes within a predetermined distance from the current position of the user may be determined as presentation attribute information to be transmitted collectively.

  -Sixth modification: In the above embodiment, the guidance information is presented to the user by being displayed on the display panel 202. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the guidance information is output to the user by voice. May be presented.

  -Seventh modification: In the above embodiment, part of the configuration realized by hardware may be replaced with software, and conversely, part of the configuration realized by software is replaced with hardware. You may do it.

It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the traffic information display system as one Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining the contents of the database stored in the server system. It is a figure explaining map display processing. It is a flowchart which shows the process step of a traffic information display process. It is a figure which shows an example of terminal information and route data. It is a figure for demonstrating determination of presentation attribute information. It is a figure which shows notionally the content of the transmission file containing guidance information. It is a figure which shows an example of a display of guidance information. It is a figure which shows the other example of a display of guidance information.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Traffic information display system 100 ... Route information server 102 ... Communication part 104 ... Control part 105 ... Memory | storage part 106 ... Car route database 107 ... Train route database 108 ... Walking route database 109 ... Facility database 150 ... Map server 152 ... Communication part 154: Control unit 155 ... Storage unit 156 ... Map database 200 ... Mobile terminal 201 ... GPS receiver 202 ... Display panel 204 ... Audio output unit 205 ... Key input unit 205a ... Direction input key 205b ... Operation key 206 ... Wireless communication circuit 207 ... Call control unit 208 ... External storage device 210 ... Main control unit 1000 ... Server system BS ... Base station INT ... Internet

Claims (5)

A traffic information display system for displaying traffic information, comprising a terminal and a server that are communicably connected via a communication network ,
The terminal
Current position information acquisition means for acquiring current position information representing the current position of the user;
Current position information transmitting means for transmitting the current position information to the server;
Attribute information presentation means for presenting presentation attribute information received from the server to a user;
With
The server
Route information acquisition means for acquiring route information representing a traffic route;
Attribute information acquisition means for acquiring attribute information associated with a point or section on the traffic route represented by the route information;
Estimating means for estimating a user route that is the traffic route where the user is located based on the current position information and the route information received from the terminal ;
Based on the estimated user route, presentation attribute information determining means for determining presentation attribute information to be presented to the user from among the attribute information;
Attribute information transmitting means for transmitting the presentation attribute information to the terminal;
Equipped with a,
The estimating means further estimates a moving direction of the user in the user route based on the current position information and the route information,
The presentation attribute information determining means determines, as the presentation attribute information, attribute information associated with a point or section on the traffic route to be reached when the user travels the user route in the movement direction. And
The server further generates position information for specifying a presentation position where the presentation attribute information should be presented to the user based on a point or a section on the traffic route with which the presentation attribute information is associated. Comprising location information generating means,
The attribute information transmitting means transmits the position information to the terminal together with the presentation attribute information,
The attribute information presentation means presents the presentation attribute information to the user when the user reaches the presentation position specified based on the position information,
The estimating means further estimates a moving speed of the user based on the current position information,
The presentation attribute information determination means estimates a reachable estimated section on a route network that can be reached within a predetermined time based on the estimated moving speed, and a plurality of attributes in which the presentation position is included in the reachable estimated section Information is determined as the presentation attribute information,
The said attribute information transmission means is a traffic information display system which transmits collectively the determined some said presentation attribute information . In the traffic information display system according to claim 1 ,
The estimating means further recognizes a moving means of the user based on the current position information,
The presenting attribute information determining unit is a traffic information display system that determines the presenting attribute information based on the moving unit. A traffic information display server capable of communicating with a terminal via a communication network,
The current position information indicating the current position of the terminal, and the current position information receiving means for receiving from said terminal,
Route information acquisition means for acquiring route information representing a traffic route;
Attribute information acquisition means for acquiring attribute information associated with a point or section on the traffic route represented by the route information;
Estimating means for estimating a user route that is the traffic route in which a user of the terminal is located based on the current position information and the route information received from the terminal;
Based on the estimated user route, presentation attribute information determining means for determining presentation attribute information to be presented to the user from among the attribute information;
An attribute information transmitting means for transmitting the presentation attribute information, to the terminal,
Equipped with a,
The estimating means further estimates a moving direction of the user in the user route based on the current position information and the route information,
The presentation attribute information determining means determines, as the presentation attribute information, attribute information associated with a point or section on the traffic route to be reached when the user travels the user route in the movement direction. And
The server further generates position information for specifying a presentation position where the presentation attribute information should be presented to the user based on a point or a section on the traffic route with which the presentation attribute information is associated. Comprising location information generating means,
The attribute information transmitting means transmits the position information to the terminal together with the presentation attribute information,
The estimating means further estimates a moving speed of the user based on the current position information,
The presentation attribute information determination means estimates a reachable estimated section on a route network that can be reached within a predetermined time based on the estimated moving speed, and a plurality of attributes in which the presentation position is included in the reachable estimated section Information is determined as the presentation attribute information,
The attribute information transmitting means is a traffic information display server that transmits a plurality of determined presentation attribute information collectively . A traffic information display method for displaying traffic information using a terminal and a server capable of communicating with the terminal via a communication network,
The server is capable of acquiring route information representing a traffic route and attribute information associated with a point or section on the traffic route represented by the route information,
The method
(A) the terminal acquiring current position information representing a current position of the terminal;
(B) the terminal, and transmitting the current position置情report, to the server,
(C) the server estimating a user route that is the traffic route in which a user of the terminal is located based on the current position information and the route information received from the terminal;
(D) the server determining presentation attribute information to be presented to the user from the attribute information based on the estimated user route;
(E) the server transmitting the presentation attribute information to the terminal;
(F) The step of presenting the presentation attribute information received from the server to a user of the terminal ,
The step (c) of estimating the user route includes a step of estimating a moving direction of the user in the user route based on the current position information and the route information.
The step (d) of determining the presentation attribute information includes attribute information associated with a point or section on the traffic route to be reached when the user travels the user route in the moving direction, It is a process of determining as presentation attribute information,
The method further generates position information for specifying a presentation position where the presentation attribute information should be presented to the user based on a point or a section on the traffic route with which the presentation attribute information is associated. With a process,
The step (e) of transmitting the presentation attribute information to the terminal is a step of transmitting the position information to the terminal together with the presentation attribute information.
The step (f) of presenting the presentation attribute information to the user of the terminal presents the presentation attribute information to the user when the user reaches the presentation position specified based on the position information. Process
The step (c) of estimating the user route includes a step of estimating a moving speed of the user based on the current position information,
The step (d) of determining the presentation attribute information estimates a reachable estimated section on the route network that can be reached within a predetermined time based on the estimated moving speed, and the presentation position is in the reachable estimated section. Determining a plurality of included attribute information as the presentation attribute information,
The step (f) of transmitting the presentation attribute information to the terminal is a traffic information display method, which is a step of transmitting a plurality of the determined presentation attribute information collectively .   A computer program for a server capable of accessing a terminal that presents presentation attribute information to a user, route information representing a traffic route, and attribute information associated with a point or section on the traffic route represented by the route information There,
  A first function for receiving current position information representing the current position of the terminal from the terminal;
  A second function for estimating a user route that is the traffic route in which a user of the terminal is located based on the current position information and the route information received from the terminal;
  A third function for determining presentation attribute information to be presented to the user from among the attribute information based on the estimated user route;
  A fourth function of transmitting the presentation attribute information to the terminal;
  A fifth function for generating position information for specifying a presentation position where the presentation attribute information should be presented to the user based on a point or a section on the traffic route with which the presentation attribute information is associated;
  Is realized on a computer of the server,
  The second function includes a function of estimating a moving direction of a user in the user route based on the current position information and the route information,
  The third function determines, as the presentation attribute information, attribute information associated with a point or section on the traffic route to be reached when the user travels the user route in the moving direction. Function,
  The fourth function is a function of transmitting the position information to the terminal together with the presentation attribute information,
  The second function includes a function of estimating a moving speed of the user based on the current position information,
  The third function estimates a reachable estimated section on a route network that can be reached within a predetermined time based on the estimated moving speed, and a plurality of attribute information including the presentation position in the reachable estimated section Is determined as the presentation attribute information,
  The fourth function is a computer program for transmitting a plurality of determined presentation attribute information collectively.

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