JP6516793B2 - Route Information Providing Server, Route Guidance System, and Route Information Providing Method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a route information providing server, a route guidance system, and a route information providing method for providing route information for route guidance.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a car navigation device is known which provides route guidance to a driver of a mobile body such as a car. A configuration is also known in which a server or the like provides route information to the car navigation device.
In route guidance by these car navigation devices and servers, route guidance to the destination is given to the driver by displaying an image on the display of the car navigation device installed on the mobile unit and outputting voice from a speaker. be able to.

Patent Literature 1 discloses an example of a technique related to such route guidance. In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the user receives a time constraint consisting of a departure time and a desired arrival time from a user, and acquires the shortest distance between bases serving as transit points from map information. Then, an optimum route passing through the departure point, the end point and the base is searched based on the shortest distance and the time constraint.
In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is possible to shorten the moving distance of the user by searching for the optimal route based on the shortest distance between the bases as described above.

JP 2012-215401 A

If the technique etc. which are disclosed to patent document 1 are utilized, as mentioned above, an optimal path can be searched based on the shortest distance.
However, when actually moving on a moving body, moving the shortest distance may not always be appropriate.

For example, on a high traffic highway, it is often difficult to make a right turn at a location other than an intersection. Therefore, even if it is a route that travels the shortest distance, the driver may be troubled even if a route accompanied by a right turn at such a place is presented. Also, even if it is a route that travels the shortest distance, as a result, if a narrow road that is difficult to drive or a congested road is included in the path, it takes a long time to travel as a result. May be required.
Because of such circumstances, it has been difficult to provide appropriate route information even if it is simply based on road information included in map information.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and the present invention can provide more appropriate route information than providing route information based on only map information. An object of the present invention is to provide a route information provision server, a route guidance system, and a route information provision method.

  (1) A route information providing server (for example, route information providing server 30 described below) according to the present invention receives a position information of a mobile (for example, vehicle 50 described later) (for example, communication unit 33 described later) And a storage unit (for example, a storage unit 32 described later) for storing map information (for example, map information 322 described later) including the position of the facility related to the facility, and the position of the moving object When the departure position in the movement route to the facility is specified, and the specified departure position is within the first predetermined range from the facility position specified by the map information, the movement route to the facility of the mobile body And a moving route storage unit (for example, a local route storage unit 312 described later for storing the route information (for example, local route information 323 described later)), and a current transfer of the mobile corresponding to the request source of the route information. And a route information distribution unit (for example, a route information distribution unit 313 described later) that distributes the accumulated movement route to the request source when the departure position on the route exists outside the second predetermined range from the facility position And.

  According to the above (1), when the departure position is within the first predetermined range from the facility position specified by the map information, the moving route to the facility of the moving object is accumulated as a storage moving route. Here, that the departure position is within the first predetermined range indicates that the facility is being visited from near the facility. That is, there is a high possibility that the user is a user who is familiar with the vicinity of the facility where his home, office, or the like is in the vicinity of the facility (hereinafter referred to as “local user” as appropriate). And since such local users are familiar with the vicinity of the facility, they should use the optimal route to visit the facility. That is, according to the above (1), there is an effect that it is possible to accumulate such a route used by the local user (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as “local route”) as optimal route information.

  Further, according to the above (1), when the departure position on the current moving route of the moving object corresponding to the request source of the route information exists outside the second predetermined range from the facility position, Deliver the travel route. Here, that the departure position exists outside the second predetermined range from the facility indicates that the facility is visited from a distance of the facility. That is, there is no possibility that there is a home or a work place near the facility, and a user who is not very familiar with the vicinity of the facility. And since such a user is not very familiar with the vicinity of the facility, there is a high possibility that the user does not know the optimal route for visiting the facility. That is, according to the above (1), the local route used by the local user can be provided as optimal route information to the user who is not very detailed in the vicinity of such a facility.

  As described above, the local route is a route that a local user actually uses when visiting a facility, and is highly likely to be a convenient and optimal route. In other words, it does not include difficult routes such as a right turn at places other than intersections in high traffic main roads, and also includes narrow roads that are difficult to drive and congested roads along the way. Not likely. Or, even if it includes a right turn, a narrow road, or a congested road, there is a high possibility that there are advantages such as being able to arrive in as short time as possible. Therefore, the configuration of the above (1) capable of providing such route information can provide more appropriate route information as compared to the case where route information is provided based only on map information. It plays an effect.

  (2) In the route information providing server according to (1), the route information distribution unit further corresponds to the request source based on the information on the road through which the mobile body can pass included in the map information. The storage moving route may be distributed to the request source when it is determined that the moving object is likely to visit the facility along a moving route accompanied by a right turn.

  According to the above (2), when it is determined that the mobile corresponding to the request source is highly likely to visit the facility along the movement route accompanied by a right turn, the stored movement route is distributed to the request source can do. Therefore, it is possible to provide information on a local route that is an advantageous route such as a route that does not include a right turn or a route that can arrive in as short time as possible even if a right turn is included. An effect of.

  (3) In the route information providing server according to (1) or (2), the moving route storage unit further determines the position of the moving object based on the positioning time of the position information included in the position information of the moving object. The storage transfer path is distinguished by each time zone when the storage transfer path is actually moved, and the storage transfer path is stored, and the path information distribution unit further distributes the storage transfer path to the request source when distributing the storage transfer path to the request source. The accumulated movement route corresponding to the time zone received the request may be distributed to the request source.

  According to the above (3), it is possible to distribute the storage movement route corresponding to the time zone in which the request for route information is received to the request source. In this regard, since the congestion status of the road changes according to the time zone, the appropriate route may differ depending on the time zone. However, according to the above (3), there is an effect that it is possible to provide a local route corresponding to the time zone for which the request for the route information has been received in consideration of this.

  (4) In the route information providing server according to any one of (1) to (3), the travel route storage unit further acquires information representing a road condition, and based on the information representing the road condition, In the case where the moving path accumulates the accumulated moving path by discriminating the road conditions when the moving body actually moves the accumulated moving path, and the path information distributing unit further distributes the accumulated moving path to the request source Alternatively, the accumulated travel route corresponding to the road condition at the time of receiving the request for the route information may be distributed to the request source.

  According to the above (4), it is possible to distribute the stored movement route corresponding to the road condition at the time of receiving the request for the route information to the request source. In this regard, the appropriate route may differ depending on the road conditions such as congestion. However, according to the above (4), there is an effect that it becomes possible to provide a local route corresponding to the road condition at the time of receiving the request of the route information in consideration of this. In particular, it is useful when there is no correlation between time and road condition, and the time when the road is congested differs depending on the day.

  (5) A route guidance system according to the present invention is a route guidance system including the route information providing server according to any one of (1) to (4) and a mobile terminal, wherein the mobile terminal And in the mobile unit, based on a route information request unit that transmits a request for the route information to the route information providing server, and the accumulated movement route distributed from the route information providing server in response to the request. And a route guidance unit for performing route guidance to the facility in the movable body.

  According to the above (5), when the mobile terminal performs route request based on the request of the route information and the accumulated travel route, the driver of the mobile can perform the operation with the local route as the route. It plays an effect.

  (6) The route information providing method of the present invention is a route information providing method performed by a computer (for example, route information providing server 30 described later), and receives position information of a mobile (for example, vehicle 50 described later) A receiving step, a storing step of storing map information (for example, map information 322 described later) including a position of a facility related to the facility, and departure of the moving body to the facility based on the position information of the moving body When the position is specified, and the specified departure position is within the first predetermined range from the facility position specified by the map information, the moving route to the facility of the moving body is stored as a moving route (for example, The moving route accumulation step of accumulating as local route information 323 described later, and the departure position in the current moving route of the moving object corresponding to the request source of the route information is the facility position. When present outside the second predetermined range includes a route information distribution step of distributing the accumulated travel route to the requestor.

  According to the method of (6) above, the same effect as the route information providing server of (1) can be obtained.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide more appropriate route information as compared to the case where route information is provided based on only map information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a block diagram which shows the basic composition of the whole route guidance system which is embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional composition of the in-vehicle navigation device in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram showing functional composition of a personal digital assistant in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram showing functional composition of a course information offer server in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an example of a position information database in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a display of the map information in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the route display based on the general route information in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the route display based on the local route information in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows another example of the route display based on the local route information in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the basic operation | movement at the time of collection of the positional information in embodiment of this invention, and an update of a positional information database. It is a flowchart which shows the basic operation | movement at the time of the route information provision process in embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the route guidance system of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<Overall Configuration of Route Guidance System 1>
A route guidance system 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the route guidance system 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the route guidance system 1 is configured to include an on-vehicle navigation device 10, a portable terminal 20, and a route information providing server 30. These devices and terminals are communicably connected to each other via the communication network 40. Although the information transmitted and received by each of these devices and each terminal is also illustrated in the drawing, these pieces of information are merely examples. In the present embodiment, information other than that illustrated may be transmitted and received.

The in-vehicle navigation device 10 is a device that provides route guidance (car navigation) to a user who gets on the vehicle 50a. The on-vehicle navigation device 10 provides route guidance from the current position to the destination based on the user's request. In addition, the in-vehicle navigation device 10 also has a function of measuring the position information of the in-vehicle navigation device 10 (that is, the position information of the vehicle 50a). The position information determined by the in-vehicle navigation device 10 is appropriately transmitted to the route information providing server 30.
The in-vehicle navigation device 10 can be realized by a car navigation device installed in a vehicle 50a, which is a moving body, or a portable PND (Portable Navigation Device) which is simply installed in the vehicle 50a, which is a moving body. .

The portable terminal 20 is a portable terminal used by a user who gets on the vehicle 50b. The mobile terminal 20 has a function of measuring the position information of the mobile terminal 20 (that is, the position information of the vehicle 50b), as in the case of the on-vehicle navigation device 10 described above. The position information measured by the mobile terminal 20 is appropriately transmitted to the route information providing server 30 as the position information measured by the in-vehicle navigation device 10.
The mobile terminal 20 can be realized by a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, a notebook computer, or another portable electronic device.

  In the drawing, although the set of the in-vehicle navigation device 10 and the vehicle 50a and the set of the portable terminal 20 and the vehicle 50b are illustrated, there is no particular limitation on the number of sets. Further, in the following description, when calling without distinction the vehicle 50a on which the in-vehicle navigation device 10 is mounted and the vehicle 50b on which the user using the portable terminal 20 gets, the alphabet at the end is simply omitted It is called "vehicle 50".

The route information provision server 30 is a device that performs route information provision processing for providing more appropriate route information as compared to the case where route information is provided based on only map information, as processing unique to this embodiment. is there.
The route information providing server 30 creates the position information database which is a database of the position information of each vehicle 50 by acquiring the position information of each vehicle 50 from the in-vehicle navigation device 10 and the portable terminal 20. Further, the route information providing server 30 stores map information including facility positions related to a plurality of facilities.
Then, the route information providing server 30 specifies the departure position on the movement route to the facility based on the position information of the vehicle 50, and the specified departure position is within the first predetermined range from the facility position identified by the map information. If it exists, the travel route to the facility of the vehicle 50 is stored as a local route.
Here, that the departure position is within the first predetermined range indicates that the facility is being visited from near the facility. That is, there is a high possibility that the user is a local user who is familiar with the vicinity of the facility where there is a home or a work near the facility. And since such local users are familiar with the vicinity of the facility, they should use the most convenient and convenient route to visit the facility. In other words, according to the present embodiment, the local route used by such a local user can be stored as optimal route information.

Furthermore, when the route information providing server 30 receives a request for route information from the in-vehicle navigation device 10 or the portable terminal 20, the departure position of the current travel route of the vehicle 50 corresponding to the request source is second predetermined from the facility position. If it is out of range, route information about the local route is distributed to the request source.
Here, that the departure position exists outside the second predetermined range from the facility indicates that the facility is visited from a distance of the facility. That is, there is no possibility that there is a home or a work place near the facility, and a user who is not very familiar with the vicinity of the facility. And since such a user is not very familiar with the vicinity of the facility, there is a high possibility that the user does not know the optimal route for visiting the facility. That is, this embodiment has an effect that it is possible to provide the local route used by the local user as optimal route information to the user who is not very detailed in the vicinity of such a facility.

  As described above, the local route is a route that a local user actually uses when visiting a facility, and is highly likely to be a convenient and optimal route. In other words, it does not include difficult routes such as a right turn at places other than intersections in high traffic main roads, and also includes narrow roads that are difficult to drive and congested roads along the way. Not likely. Or, even if it includes a right turn, a narrow road, or a congested road, there is a high possibility that there are advantages such as being able to arrive in as short time as possible. Therefore, the configuration of the present embodiment that can provide such route information can provide more appropriate route information than providing route information based on only map information. Play an effect.

  In addition, a user who is a driver of the vehicle 50 may visit a facility through the local route as a route by the on-vehicle navigation device 10 or the portable terminal 20 performing route guidance by the route information on the distributed local route. It produces an effect of becoming possible.

  The route information providing server 30 can be realized, for example, by incorporating software specific to the present embodiment into a general-purpose server device.

  The communication network 40 is realized by a network such as the Internet or a mobile telephone network, or a network combining these.

  The vehicle 50 is a mobile body on which the user of the in-vehicle navigation device 10 and the portable terminal 20 get on. The vehicle 50 is realized by, for example, a four-wheeled vehicle, a motorcycle, a bicycle, or the like.

<Functional block provided in in-vehicle navigation device 10>
Next, functional blocks included in the in-vehicle navigation device 10 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.
Here, the in-vehicle navigation device 10 receives power supply from the vehicle 50a, and is automatically activated by the user who gets on the vehicle 50a turning on the ignition switch of the vehicle 50a (starting the engine). Then, the in-vehicle navigation device 10 operates until the ignition switch of the vehicle 50a is turned off (the engine is stopped) by the user who got on the vehicle 50a.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the in-vehicle navigation device 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, a sensor unit 14, a display unit 15, and an input unit 16.

  The control unit 11 is configured of an arithmetic processing unit such as a microprocessor and controls each unit constituting the unit 10. Details of the control unit 11 will be described later.

  The storage unit 12 is composed of a semiconductor memory or the like, and performs processing for transmitting control information called firmware or an operating system, a program for performing route guidance processing, and position information to the route information providing server 30. And various other information such as map information. In the figure, map information 121, position information 122, and identification information 123, which are information related to a route information provision process by the route information providing server 30, are illustrated as the information stored in the storage unit 12.

  The map information 121 includes information about features such as roads and facilities, road information, facility position information, and parking lot information. Further, the map information 121 additionally includes display map data for displaying a background such as a road and a road map, position information of nodes (for example, intersections of roads, bending points, end points, etc.) and type information thereof It includes road network data including link position data and type information of links, which are routes connecting between nodes, and link cost data on cost information (for example, distance, required time, etc.) of all links.

As road information, information on so-called road maps such as road types and traffic lights is stored.
As facility position information, position information of each facility is stored as information of latitude and longitude. In addition, as facility location information, facility identification information (facility ID), name, facility type (and / or genre), telephone number, address, business hours, menus provided if the facility is a restaurant, product service etc. Incidental information such as facility information may be included.
As parking lot information, position information of the parking lot is stored as latitude and longitude information. When a parking lot is a parking lot of each facility, the facility and the parking lot are linked and stored.

  The position information 122 is the position information of the in-vehicle navigation device 10 (that is, the position information of the vehicle 50a) measured by the sensor unit 14 described later. The position information 122 may include not only the information indicating the measured position but also the positioning time that is the time when the positioning was performed.

  The identification information 123 is information for identifying the in-vehicle navigation device 10. As the identification information 123, for example, a serial number or the like uniquely assigned to the in-vehicle navigation device 10 can be used. In addition, in order to connect the communication unit 13 to the communication network 40 which is a network such as a mobile telephone network, the telephone number assigned to the SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) inserted in the communication unit 13 is identified information 123 It can be used as In addition, the VIN (vehicle identification number) uniquely assigned to the vehicle 50a and the number of the license plate can be used as the identification information 123.

  The respective information stored in the storage unit 12 may be configured to be stored in advance in the storage unit 12 or the route information providing server 30 connected to the communication network 40 or another server device (shown in FIG. It may be configured to be downloaded appropriately as needed, etc.). Furthermore, it may be appropriately corrected according to the user's input or the like.

  The communication unit 13 has a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or the like, and communicates via the communication network 40 in accordance with standards such as 3G (3rd Generation), LTE (Long Term Evolution) and Wi-Fi (registered trademark). Wireless communication with another device (for example, the route information providing server 30) via the network 40 is realized. The communication unit 13 is used, for example, for the position information transmission unit 112 described later to transmit the position information 122 and the identification information 123 stored in the storage unit 12 to the route information providing server 30. However, there is no restriction | limiting in particular in the data transmitted / received between the communication part 13 and another apparatus, Information other than the positional information 122 and the identification information 123 may be transmitted / received.

The sensor unit 14 is configured of, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor, a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, and the like. The sensor unit 14 has a function as position detection means for detecting position information, receives a GPS satellite signal by a GPS sensor, and measures the position information (latitude and longitude) of the in-vehicle navigation device 10. The positioning by the sensor unit 14 is performed at a predetermined time interval (for example, an interval of 3 seconds) as described above. The position information that has been measured is stored in the storage unit 12 as position information 122.
The sensor unit 14 can further enhance the positioning accuracy of the position information of the in-vehicle navigation device 10 based on the angular velocity measured by the gyro sensor or the acceleration sensor, or the acceleration.
Further, when GPS communication becomes difficult or impossible, the sensor unit 14 uses Assisted Global Positioning System (AGPS) communication, and the position information of the in-vehicle navigation device 10 according to the base station information acquired from the communication unit 13 It is also possible to calculate

The display unit 15 is configured of a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence panel. The display unit 15 receives an instruction from the control unit 11 and displays an image. The information displayed by the display unit 15 includes, for example, the current position of the in-vehicle navigation device 10, the map information around the current position of the in-vehicle navigation device 10 read from the map information 121, the destination set by the user, and the like Meeting information notified from the in-vehicle navigation device 10,
Local route information based on the route information distributed from the route information providing server 30, other route information, various user interfaces and the like can be mentioned.

  The input unit 16 is configured by a physical switch called a ten key or an input device (not shown) such as a touch panel provided overlapping on the display surface of the display unit 15 or the like. By outputting to the control unit 11 an operation input from the input unit 16, for example, pressing of a ten key by the user, or a signal based on a touch of the touch panel, an operation such as selection operation by the user or enlargement / reduction of a map can be realized. it can.

In addition to this, although not shown, the in-vehicle navigation device 10 can also be provided with a speaker, a microphone, and the like. The speaker outputs a sound to the driver, and the microphone collects sound and the like emitted by the driver.
By doing so, it is also possible to output information as voice from a speaker, or to input various selections and instructions by the driver voice-inputted via a microphone to the control unit 11 by voice recognition technology.

  Next, details of the control unit 11 will be described. The control unit 11 is configured by a microprocessor having a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and an input / output (I / O). The CPU executes each program read from the ROM or the storage unit 12, reads the information from the RAM, the ROM, and the storage unit 12 at the time of execution, and writes the information to the RAM and the storage unit 12. It exchanges signals with the communication unit 13, the sensor unit 14, the display unit 15, and the input unit 16. And, in this way, the processing in the present embodiment is realized by the hardware and software (program) working together.

  The control unit 11 includes, as functional blocks, a route guidance unit 111, a position information transmission unit 112, and a route information request unit 113.

The route guidance unit 111 is a part that performs route guidance processing to a destination, such as a facility, which has been input or selected by the user.
The route guidance processing to the destination is equivalent to the route guidance processing in a general car navigation system. That is, the route guidance unit 111 generates a map to the destination based on the map information 121 stored in the storage unit 12, and the current position of the in-vehicle navigation device 10 positioned by the sensor unit 14 on this map. By overlapping the position of the destination and the route information to the destination and displaying the same on the display unit 15, route guidance can be performed. In this case, the route guidance unit 111 can use, as route information for route guidance, route information such as local route information that is route information distributed from the route information providing server 30 and general route information described later. .

  Furthermore, in this case, a voice for route guidance may be output from a speaker (not shown). Further, information on congestion of roads, information on weather, and the like may be acquired by communication by the communication unit 13, and the acquired information may be used for route guidance processing. For example, a road condition (for example, a traffic congestion condition) acquired from VICS (registered trademark) (Vehicle Information Communication System) or the like via the communication unit 13 may be used for route guidance processing. The route guidance processing to the destination is well known to those skilled in the art, and thus the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The position information transmission unit 112 is a portion that transmits the position information 122 and the identification information 123 stored in the storage unit 12 to the route information providing server 30 by wireless communication using the communication unit 13.
Transmission of the position information 122 and the identification information 123 to the route information providing server 30 by the position information transmission unit 112 is performed by the user who got on the vehicle 50a by turning on the ignition switch of the vehicle 50a (starting the engine). Is automatically performed, and is periodically performed until the ignition switch of the vehicle 50a is turned off (the engine is stopped). For example, each time the sensor unit 14 performs positioning at a predetermined time interval (for example, an interval of 3 seconds), transmission is performed in real time.

Also, instead of transmitting the information to the route information providing server 30 in real time, a plurality of them (for example, the position information 122 and the identification information 123 updated at an interval of 3 seconds in 3 minutes) are collected at once You may make it transmit. That is, so-called burst transmission may be performed. The length of the predetermined time interval, and whether to transmit in real time or to perform burst transmission can be arbitrarily set according to the environment to which the present embodiment is applied.
In this manner, by performing real-time transmission and burst transmission, the position information transmission unit 112 detects the position information 122 for identifying the movement route of the vehicle 50a measured by the sensor unit 14 and the identification information 123 It transmits to the information provision server 30.

In this case, the ignition switch is turned on (the engine is started), and the position specified by the position information 122 located immediately after the on-board navigation device 10 is automatically started is provided as route information as the first vehicle position, that is, departure position. It can be sent to the server 30. Furthermore, the position specified by the position information 122 located immediately before the ignition switch is turned off (engine stop) can be transmitted to the route information providing server 30 as the final vehicle position, that is, the parking position.
In this case, the route information providing server 30 is added with start information indicating that it is the position information 122 indicating the departure position and stop information indicating that it is the position information 122 indicating the parking position to the position information 122. You may make it transmit. For example, a flag indicating that it is start information may be set to 1 for transmission, or a flag indicating that it is stop information may be set to 1 for transmission. When the ignition switch is turned on (the engine is started) for the position information 122 (that is, the parking position) located immediately before the ignition switch is turned off (the engine is stopped), the in-vehicle navigation device 10 is restarted. May be sent to

  Further, even in the case of performing burst transmission, when the route guidance unit 111 determines that the vehicle 50a has arrived at a destination (for example, a certain facility), the position information transmission unit 112 transmits in real time You should switch as you do. In this way, after arriving at a certain facility, the ignition switch is turned off (engine is stopped) before the location information 122 of the parking position is transmitted, and the location information 122 of the destination such as the facility is the route information It is possible to prevent a situation in which it is not transmitted to the providing server 30.

  The route information request unit 113 is a portion that requests route information such as local route information and general route information described later to the route information providing server 30 for use in route guidance by the route guidance unit 111. Then, the route information request unit 113 outputs, to the route guidance unit 111, local route information which is route information returned from the route information providing server 30 in response to the request, and general route information described later. The route guidance unit 111 performs route guidance using local route information input from the route information request unit 113 and general route information described later as route information for route guidance.

  The route information request unit 113 requests route information to the route information providing server 30 every time any facility is set as a destination by the user. However, for example, when the vehicle 50a is traveling at a place where communication by the communication unit 13 is not possible, the route information request unit 113 can not request the route information providing server 30 for route information. . Therefore, in such a case, the request for the route information by the route information request unit 113 is temporarily canceled, and the route guidance unit 111 generates route information for route guidance based on the map information 121 and uses it. You may

<Functional Block of Mobile Terminal 20>
Next, functional blocks included in the mobile terminal 20 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 3.
Here, although the on-vehicle navigation device 10 described above receives the supply of power from the vehicle 50a, the portable terminal 20 receives the supply of power from a battery (not shown) provided in itself. However, in order to charge the battery, the portable terminal 20 may receive power supply from a cigar socket or the like of the vehicle 50b.

As shown in FIG. 3, the portable terminal 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, a sensor unit 24, a display unit 25, an input unit 26, and a short distance communication unit 27. It consists of
Here, the control unit 21, the storage unit 22, the communication unit 23, the sensor unit 24, the display unit 25, and the input unit 26 have the same functions as the functional blocks of the same name included in the on-vehicle navigation device 10 described above. Have. That is, the word "vehicle navigation device 10" in the description of the vehicle navigation device 10 described above is replaced with "portable terminal 20", and the word "vehicle 50a" in the description of the vehicle navigation device 10 described above is "vehicle 50b". By replacing, each functional block of the portable terminal 20 will be described, and therefore, the redundant description will be omitted.

On the other hand, the portable terminal 20 is different from the in-vehicle navigation device 10 in that the portable terminal 20 includes the short distance communication unit 27 and the like, and thus the difference will be described below.
The short distance communication unit 27 performs non-contact short distance communication conforming to a standard such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or Bluetooth (registered trademark), or performs short distance communication by wire via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or the like. It is part of.
On the other hand, the vehicle 50 b includes a short distance communication unit for communicating with the short distance communication unit 27. For example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) of the vehicle 50b includes a short distance communication unit.
Then, the case where the portable terminal 20 can communicate with the ECU by short-distance communication means that the portable terminal 20 exists in the vehicle 50b. In this case, the position information measured by the sensor unit 24 of the mobile terminal 20 corresponds to the position information of the vehicle 50b.

  Therefore, while the portable terminal 20 can perform short distance communication with the ECU via the short distance communication unit 27, the position information transmission unit 212 is activated. Then, similarly to the position information transmission unit 112 of the in-vehicle navigation device 10, the position information transmission unit 212 that has been activated identifies the movement information of the vehicle 50b measured by the sensor unit 24 and the identification information 223. Are sent to the route information providing server 30.

  For example, when the user carries the portable terminal 20 and gets on the vehicle 50b and turns on the start switch of the vehicle 50b, such as an ignition switch, the vehicle 50b and the portable terminal 20 are connected (paired) and Positioned information 222 and identification information 223 are transmitted from the portable terminal 20 to the route information providing server 30. In this case, the position specified by the position information 122 measured immediately after the pairing of the vehicle 50b and the portable terminal 20 can be transmitted to the route information providing server 30 as the first vehicle position, that is, the departure position.

Furthermore, when the start switch of the vehicle 50b such as an ignition switch is turned off, the pairing of the vehicle 50b and the portable terminal 20 is released. In this case, the position specified by the position information 122 positioned immediately before the cancellation can be transmitted to the route information providing server 30 as the final vehicle position, that is, the parking position.
In this case, it may be transmitted in real time, may be transmitted in bursts, or may be switched to transmission in real time if it is determined that the vehicle has arrived at the parking position, or the departure position The point that it may add start information and stop information which show that it is a parking position, and a point which may transmit a parking position at the time of restart is also the same as position information transmitting part 112.

  When the vehicle 50b has a function of positioning the position information, not the position information measured by the sensor unit 24 but the position information measured by the vehicle 50b is transmitted to the route information providing server 30 as the position information 122. You may do it. In this case, the sensor unit 24 may be omitted from the portable terminal 20.

<Functional block provided by the route information providing server 30>
Next, functional blocks included in the route information providing server 30 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 4.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the route information providing server 30 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a communication unit 33, a display unit 34, and an input unit 35.

  The control unit 31 is configured of an arithmetic processing unit such as a microprocessor and controls each unit constituting the unit 30. Details of the control unit 31 will be described later.

  The storage unit 32 is composed of a semiconductor memory or the like, and stores various programs such as a program for control called firmware or operating system, a program for performing information analysis processing, and various other information such as map information. Be done. In the figure, a position information database 321, map information 322, and local route information 323, which are information related to a route information provision process by the route information providing server 30, are illustrated as the information stored in the storage unit 32.

  The position information database 321 is a database constructed based on the position information 122 and the position information 222 received from each of the in-vehicle navigation device 10 and the portable terminal 20, and the identification information 123 and the identification information 223. The position information database 321 is constructed and updated by a position information database updating unit 311 described later. Details of the position information database 321 will be described later in the description of the position information database update unit 311. In the following description, when the position information 122 and the position information 222 are described without distinction, the reference numerals are omitted and they are called "position information". Similarly, when the identification information 123 and the identification information 223 are described without distinction, the reference numerals are omitted and called “identification information”.

  The map information 322 is the same information as the map information 123 and the map information 223 described above. Like the map information 123 and the map information 223, the map information 322 may be stored in advance, or may be stored as needed from a server device (not shown) connected to the communication network 40 or the like. It may be configured to be downloaded. Furthermore, it may be appropriately corrected according to the user's input or the like.

  The local route information 323 is information indicating a local route for each facility, and the local route information 323 is accumulated by a local route accumulation unit 312 described later. Details of the local route information 323 will be described later in the description of the local route accumulation unit 312.

The communication unit 33 has a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or the like, and conforms to a standard such as 3G (3rd Generation) LTE (Long Term Evolution) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark) via the communication network 40. 40 realizes wireless communication with other devices via 40. The communication unit 33 is used, for example, to receive position information and identification information transmitted from each of the in-vehicle navigation device 10 and the portable terminal 20. In addition, the communication unit 33 is also used to transmit route information such as local route information to the in-vehicle navigation device 10 and the portable terminal 20, for example.
However, there is no restriction | limiting in particular in the data transmitted / received between the communication part 33 and another apparatus, You may make it transmit / receive information other than these information.

  The display unit 34 is configured of a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence panel. The display unit 15 receives an instruction from the control unit 11 and displays an image. As information displayed by the display unit 15, for example, each information in the position information database read from the position information database 321, map information read from the map information 322, route information such as local route information, etc. , Various user interfaces and the like.

  The input unit 35 is configured by an input device (not shown) such as a keyboard and a mouse. Based on the operation input from the input unit 16, for example, the correction of the position information database 321 and the map information 322, the selection of the in-vehicle navigation device 10 or the portable terminal 20 as the transmission destination of the route information such as the updated local route information Can be processed. These operations are performed by, for example, a provider who manages the route information providing server 30.

  Next, details of the control unit 31 will be described. The control unit 31 is configured of a microprocessor having a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and an input / output (I / O). The CPU executes each program read from the ROM or the storage unit 32, reads the information from the RAM, the ROM, and the storage unit 32 at the time of execution, and writes the information to the RAM and the storage unit 32, It exchanges signals with the communication unit 33, the display unit 34, and the input unit 35. And, in this way, the processing in the present embodiment is realized by the hardware and software (program) working together.

The control unit 31 includes, as functional blocks, a position information database updating unit 311, a local route storage unit 312, and a route information distribution unit 313.
The position information database update unit 311 is a part that constructs the position information database 321 and appropriately updates it. An example of the data structure of the position information database 321 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the position information database 321 includes the “position information” and the “identification information” received from each of the in-vehicle navigation device 10 and the portable terminal 20 as described above.
Further, the position information database 321 is a "visited facility" and a "departure" specified by the position information database updating unit 311 based on the "position information" received from each of the in-vehicle navigation device 10 and the portable terminal 20 as described above. Position is included.
Then, the position information database updating unit 311 constructs and updates the position information database 321 by storing information corresponding to each attribute in the field.

  Here, “visited facility” in the position information database 321 is information for identifying a facility visited by the user by the vehicle 50. The position information database updating unit 311 identifies a visited facility from the position information received together with the identification information. For example, as described above, it is assumed that the position information includes information indicating a parking position. In this case, the parking position is compared with the position of each facility (and the position of the parking lot linked to the facility) included in the map information 322, and the identified parking position and the position of any facility (and the facility) It is determined that the user has visited the facility by the vehicle 50 when the position of the parking lot linked to the) matches. Then, the identification information (facility ID) of the facility included in the map information 322 is stored in the field of the visiting facility in the position information database 321.

In addition, if the information indicating the parking position is not included in the position information, for example, the position corresponding to the last received position information or the position from the start to the end of the transmission of the position information It is also possible to identify a visiting facility by comparing it with the location of each facility (and the location of the parking lot linked to the facility), regarding the location that does not change with time as the parking location.
Furthermore, if the information indicating the parking position is not included in the position information, for example, the facility set as the destination in the route guidance can be specified as the visiting facility.

  The degree of "coincidence" of the above-described parking position and the position of the facility may be determined arbitrarily. For example, when the in-vehicle navigation device 10 or the portable terminal 20 can measure the position information with high accuracy, the range determined to be coincident may be narrowed. On the other hand, when the in-vehicle navigation device 10 or the portable terminal 20 can not measure the position information with high accuracy, the range determined to be coincident may be widened. That is, even when the position is slightly shifted, it may be determined that they match.

  In addition, “identification information” in the position information database 321 is information for identifying the in-vehicle navigation device 10 or the portable terminal 20 that is the transmission source of the position information as described above. That is, the information is information for identifying the vehicle 50 corresponding to the in-vehicle navigation device 10 or the portable terminal 20. The position information database updating unit 311 stores the identification information received together with the position information in the field.

Further, the "departure position" in the position information database 321 is the departure position in the moving route when visiting a visiting facility.
The position information database updating unit 311 specifies the departure position from the position information received together with the identification information. For example, as described above, if the position information includes information indicating a departure position, the departure position is specified by this information. Further, if the position information does not include information indicating the departure position, for example, the position corresponding to the position information received first before the transmission of the position information is started and ended is the departure position. It can also be considered that The position information database updating unit 311 stores the specified departure position in the field.

  Also, “position information” in the position information database 321 is all of the position information that changes discretely in time from the departure position to the parking position in the moving route when visiting a visited facility. The position information database updating unit 311 stores all the position information received during the period from the start of transmission of position information to the end thereof in the field. A local route accumulation unit 312 or the like described later can specify the movement route of the vehicle 50 by connecting all the stored position information in time series.

  The position information database updating unit 311 newly transmits position information and identification information from any of the in-vehicle navigation device 10 and the portable terminal 20 based on the received position information and identification information from when it is started until once it is ended. The position information database 321 is updated by storing the above-described information in the above fields.

  Next, the local route accumulation unit 312 will be described. The local route accumulation unit 312 refers to the departure position stored in the position information database update unit 311, and this departure position exists within a first predetermined range from the facility position of the visited facility specified by the map information 322. It is determined whether or not. Then, if it is within the first predetermined range, the travel route specified by the position information corresponding to the departure position is determined as the local route. Then, information representing the local route is stored in the storage unit 32 as the local route information 323. On the other hand, if it does not exist in the first predetermined range (ie, if it exists outside the first predetermined range), it is determined that the movement route specified by the position information corresponding to this departure position is not the local route. The local route information 323 is not stored in the storage unit 32.

  Here, the first predetermined range can be set to any size. For example, the range of the radius N [km] (N is an arbitrary positive value) centering on the position of the visited facility can be set as the first predetermined range. Further, instead of the radius, for example, the range in which the travel distance from the visiting facility on the road is N [km] can be set as the first predetermined range. In addition, for example, the first predetermined range may be determined based on the required travel time from the visiting facility. For example, the size of the first predetermined range may be set by the user who uses the route information providing server 30.

  Next, the route information distribution unit 313 will be described. The route information distribution unit 313 receives a request for route information from the in-vehicle navigation device 10 and the portable terminal 20. It is assumed that the request for the route information includes the identification information of the facility that the request source of the route information is going to visit, and the departure position and the current position in the current travel route of the vehicle 50. The route information request is made to include not the departure position or the current position but the identification information of the request source, and the route information distribution unit 313 refers to the position information database 321 based on the identification information to make the current movement. The departure position or the current position of the route may be specified.

  Then, the route information distribution unit 313 determines whether or not the departure position on the current travel route is outside the second predetermined range from the facility position of the visited facility specified by the map information 322. If the route information request source is local route information 323 corresponding to the facility that the request source of the route information is going to visit, if it exists outside the second predetermined range, the request source of the route information The local route information 323 including the current position of is distributed as route information.

  Here, when there is only one such local route information 323, the local route information 323 may be distributed. Further, in the case where there are a plurality of routes, a plurality of pieces of local route information 323 may be distributed. Then, the request source of the route information performs route guidance using the plurality of distributed local route information 323. In this case, for example, when a plurality of pieces of local route information 323 represent different routes, route guidance may be performed using all the different routes. For example, a plurality of routes may be presented to the driver of the vehicle 50 to determine which route the driver travels. Also, instead of this, only the route used by the largest number of vehicles 50 may be presented for route guidance. Further, in the case of presenting a plurality of routes to the driver of the vehicle 50, for example, the route used by many vehicles 50 and the route not used by many vehicles 50 It is good to make the thickness different so as to be distinguishable.

  On the other hand, when not existing outside the second predetermined range (that is, when existing within the second predetermined range), normal route information is distributed as route information to the request source of the route information. The normal route information is route information generated by an algorithm in general route guidance, and is generated based on link cost data and the like included in the map information 322. The requester of route information performs route guidance using a plurality of distributed normal route information.

  Here, the second predetermined range may have an arbitrary size in the same manner as the first predetermined range. About the specific example in the case of making it into an arbitrary size, since it is mentioned at the time of explanation of the 1st predetermined range, the overlapping explanation is omitted. Although the sizes of the first predetermined range and the second predetermined range may be different, they may be the same size.

<Specific example of route guidance using local route information and normal route information>
Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10, the route guidance using the local route information 323 and the normal route information, which is performed by the route guidance unit 111 of the in-vehicle navigation device 10 and the route guidance 211 of the portable terminal 20. An example will be described. Below, the example of the information displayed on the display part 15 or the display part 25 at the time of route guidance is illustrated.
First, as a premise, a map around the facility to be visited this time is displayed based on the map information 121 and the map information 221. A display example of this map is shown in FIG.

In the example of FIG. 6, an icon indicating the vehicle position 61 of the vehicle 50 corresponding to the on-vehicle navigation device 10 and the portable terminal 20 that perform route guidance, an icon indicating the target facility 62 that is a facility to visit this time, and the vicinity of the target facility 62 An icon indicating a traffic signal 63 installed in the road is displayed together with the icons of roads and other facilities. Here, as shown by the vehicle position 61, the vehicle 50 travels on a main road with a plurality of traffic lanes from the lower side to the upper side in the figure. In addition, the target facility 62 is located at a place where it can be visited from this arterial road.
Then, the route guidance unit 111 and the route guidance 211 superimpose the movement route (route) from the vehicle position 61 to the destination facility 62 on the map as shown in FIG. 6 based on the local route information 323 and the normal route information. indicate.

  Next, FIG. 7 shows an example in which the normal route 64 is overlapped and displayed based on the normal route information. Here, the normal route 64 is route information generated by a general technique as described above. As shown in FIG. 7, as the normal route 64, the straight road on which the vehicle 50 is currently traveling goes straight as it is, and after passing the traffic signal 63, the target facility 62 is turned right in front of the target facility 62. The route to arrive at is presented. Such a route is a route of the shortest distance in terms of distance, but is a route of making a right turn at a place other than an intersection on a main road. Therefore, it is difficult to make a right turn, especially in times of heavy traffic.

  Here, if it is a local user, the traffic volume in the current time zone can be predicted, and if it is a time zone where the traffic volume is small, you may move along this route, but if it is a time zone where the traffic volume is large It is likely that you understand that it is better to move around other routes by avoiding this route. Therefore, it is not a problem to display a route based on this normal route.

  On the other hand, users other than the local user who visits the facility from a distance can not predict the traffic volume in the current time zone, and there is a high possibility that they do not know other routes. Thus, in the present embodiment, as described above, a route based on the local route information 323 is displayed to users other than the local user who visits the facility from such a distance.

Next, one display example of a route based on the local route information 323 is shown in FIG. Specifically, FIG. 8 shows an example in which the first local route 65 based on the local route information 323 is displayed superimposed on the map instead of the normal route 64 in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8, as the first local route 65, the vehicle travels straight on the main road on which the vehicle 50 is currently traveling, and turns right at the traffic light 63 and then turns left twice to arrive at the target facility 62 A route is proposed. This route is not the shortest route in distance, but it is a route to make a right turn at the intersection, and to make a right turn at a non-intersection location on a main road like the normal route 64 shown in FIG. It is not root. Therefore, by entering the right turn lane at the traffic signal 63, the vehicle 50 can make a right turn without any problem. Therefore, it is possible to provide a route suitable for users other than the local user who is not familiar with the road condition around the destination facility 62.

Furthermore, another display example of the route based on the local route information 323 is shown in FIG. Specifically, FIG. 9 shows an example in which the second local route 66 based on the local route information 323 is displayed superimposed on the map instead of the normal route 64 in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9, as the second local route 66, after going straight on the main road on which the vehicle 50 is currently traveling straight and passing the traffic light 63, turn left in front of the target facility 62 and then left The route for arriving at the destination facility 62 is presented by performing 4 times. This route is not the shortest route in distance, but it is a route that it is not necessary to make a right turn, and as in the case of the normal route 64 shown in FIG. It is not root. Therefore, it is possible to provide a route suitable for users other than local users who are not familiar with the road conditions around the destination facility 62.

  As described above, the local route is a highly convenient route used by the local user, and for example, as described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the intersection is not the shortest route in distance. It is a route like a route where you do not have to drive like a right turn at a place not located.

It is considered difficult for an apparatus for providing route guidance to generate such a route based on only map information. However, in the present embodiment, the route actually used by the local user can be used as it is, and the device for performing route guidance does not have to be generated based only on the map information.
That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide more appropriate route information as compared to the case where route information is provided based on only map information.

<Specific example of user interface>
Next, an example of a user interface that receives an operation for performing the display as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 described above will be described with reference to FIG. This user interface is displayed on the display unit 15 or the display unit 25 at the time of route guidance.
As shown in FIG. 10, the screen is divided into two on the left and right. The facility information 67 and the operation area 68 are displayed on the right side of the screen. First, the driver of the vehicle 50 presses an operation portion corresponding to a desired operation in the operation area 68. For example, in the case of selecting a facility to be a destination, "Facilities Selection" in the figure is pressed. Then, the destination facility is designated on the map display on the left side of the screen. In this case, the target facility 62 is selected as the destination.

  Then, the in-vehicle navigation device 10, the portable terminal 20, and the route information providing server 30 function as described above, and as a result, route display such as the first local route 65 shown on the left side of the screen is performed. Also, facility information 67 about the target facility 62 is generated based on the map information 121 and the map information 221 and displayed on the right side of the screen. As the facility information 67, for example, the facility name, the distance to the facility, the business hours of the facility, the settlement method available for the facility, the telephone number of the facility, and the like are displayed.

Also, in this state, for example, when "Display the entire map information" in the figure is pressed, the entire display screen as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed, and map information and route information may be displayed in the entire display area. It is possible.
The driver of the vehicle 50 can receive route guidance based on appropriate route information by using such a user interface.

<Operation of this embodiment>
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIG. 11 and FIG. Here, FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of collecting position information and updating the position information database 321. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of information analysis processing.

First, collection of position information of the in-vehicle navigation device 10 and an operation of updating the position information database 321 will be described with reference to FIG.
The position information transmission unit 111 determines whether to start transmission of position information (step S11). Here, as described above, the transmission is started when the ignition switch of the vehicle 50a is turned on. If the ignition switch remains off (No in step S11), the transmission by the position information transmission unit 111 is not started. On the other hand, when the ignition switch is turned on (Yes in step S11), the process proceeds to step S12.

In step S12, the sensor unit 14 obtains position information by positioning the position of the in-vehicle navigation device 10 (step S12).
The position information transmission unit 111 acquires position information from the sensor unit 14 and performs real time transmission or burst transmission of the acquired position information to the route information providing server 30 at a predetermined cycle (step S13).

  Next, it is determined whether the position information transmission unit 111 ends the transmission of the position information (step S14). As described above, the transmission is ended when the ignition switch of the vehicle 50a is turned off. If the ignition switch of the vehicle 50a remains on (No in step S14), the positioning in step S12 and the transmission in step S13 are repeated.

  On the other hand, when the ignition switch of the vehicle 50a is turned off (Yes in step S14), the process proceeds to step S15.

In step S15, the position information database updating unit 311 of the route information providing server 30 updates the position information database 321 based on the position information transmitted by repeating steps S12 and S13 (step S15).
By the operation described above, collection of position information and update of a position information database are realized.

  Next, an operation at the time of collecting position information of the portable terminal 20 and updating the position information database will be described. For the portable terminal 20, the position information transmission unit 111 in the above description is replaced with the position information transmission unit 211, the sensor unit 14 is replaced with the sensor unit 24, and the reference for Yes in step S11 is "vehicle such as ignition switch When the start switch of 50b is turned on and the vehicle 50b and the portable terminal 20 are paired, it is replaced by “Yes” in step S14, “the start switch of the vehicle 50b such as ignition switch is turned off, the vehicle 50b and the mobile When the pairing of the terminal 20 is released, it may be replaced with “. Therefore, duplicate explanations are omitted.

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 12, an operation at the time of route information provision processing will be described.
In step S21, first, the local route accumulation unit 312 determines whether the position information database 321 has been updated. If not updated, it is determined as No in step S21, and the process proceeds to step S24. On the other hand, if there is an update, it is determined as Yes in Step S21, and the process proceeds to Step S22.

  In step S22, the local route accumulation unit 312 determines whether the departure position in the updated information is within the first predetermined range. When the departure position in the updated position information does not exist within the first predetermined range (that is, when the departure position exists outside the first predetermined range), it is determined No in step S22, and the process is performed Go to S24. On the other hand, if the departure position in the updated information is within the first predetermined range, it is determined as Yes in step S22, and the process proceeds to step S23.

  In step S23, the local route accumulation unit 312 causes the storage unit 32 to store, as the local route information 323, information representing the route specified by the position information corresponding to the departure position targeted for the determination in step S22.

  In step S24, the route information distribution unit 313 determines whether or not there is a request for route information from any of the in-vehicle navigation devices 10 and the portable terminals 20. If there is no request for route information, it is determined as No in Step S24, and the process proceeds to Step S21 again. And the process after step S21 mentioned above is repeated. On the other hand, when there is a request for route information, it is determined as Yes in Step S24, and the process proceeds to Step S25.

In step S25, the route information distribution unit 313 determines whether the departure position on the current travel route of the vehicle 50 corresponding to the request source is outside the second predetermined range from the facility position of the visited facility specified by the map information 322. Determine if
If the departure position on the current travel route does not exist outside the second predetermined range (ie, if it exists within the second predetermined range), it is determined No in step S25, and the process proceeds to step S26. Go to On the other hand, if the departure position on the current travel route is outside the second predetermined range, it is determined as Yes in step S25, and the process proceeds to step S27.

  In step S26, the route information distribution unit 313 is the normal route corresponding to the facility which the request source of the route information is going to visit, and the normal route information including the request source of the request of the route information is map information 322 Generate based on. Then, the route information distribution unit 313 distributes the generated normal route information as route information to the request source of the route information.

  In step S27, the route information distribution unit 313 is the local route information 323 corresponding to the facility that the request source of the route information is going to visit, and the local route information 323 including the current position of the request source of the route information It is distributed as route information to the request source of the route information.

  By the above processing, local routes can be provided to users other than local users. The effects achieved by this are explained in the item of "<example of route guidance using local route information and normal route information>" described above with particular reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. Is omitted.

<About hardware and software>
Each of the devices included in the above navigation system can be realized by hardware, software, or a combination thereof. In addition, a navigation method performed by cooperation of the respective devices included in the above navigation system can also be realized by hardware, software or a combination thereof. Here, to be realized by software means to be realized by a computer reading and executing a program.

  The programs can be stored and provided to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer readable media. Non-transitory computer readable media include tangible storage media of various types. Examples of non-transitory computer readable media are magnetic recording media (eg flexible disk, magnetic tape, hard disk drive), magneto-optical recording media (eg magneto-optical disk), CD-ROM (Read Only Memory), CD- R, CD-R / W, semiconductor memory (for example, mask ROM, PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM (random access memory)) are included. Also, the programs may be supplied to the computer by various types of transitory computer readable media. Examples of temporary computer readable media include electrical signals, light signals, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer readable medium can provide the program to the computer via a wired communication path such as electric wire and optical fiber, or a wireless communication path.

<Modification>
The embodiment described above is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment alone, and various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Implementation is possible.

First Modification
In the embodiment described above, the determination is performed based on whether or not the departure position is outside the second predetermined range in step S25. Instead of this determination or along with this determination, it may be determined based on whether or not the request source of the route information is likely to make a right turn. Therefore, based on the map information 322, if the route information is not distributed, the route information distribution unit 313 determines whether or not the request source of the route information is likely to make a right turn. For example, when a normal route is generated, and the right route is included in the normal route, if the route information is not delivered, it is determined that the request source of the route information is highly likely to turn right. Do.
Then, if the possibility of turning right is high, the process proceeds to step S27, the local route information 323 is distributed, and if the possibility of turning right is low, the process proceeds to step S26, and normal route information is distributed. You should do it.

Second Modified Example
Depending on the time of day, the appropriate local route may be different. For example, if there is a road that is not congested at noon but congested at night, it may be considered that a route avoiding this road is used as an appropriate local route at night . In addition, since there is no traffic jam at noon, it is easy to turn right at night, but it is difficult to turn right at night due to traffic congestion, so it is considered that a route that does not include right turn at night is used as an appropriate local route Be

  Therefore, in the embodiment described above, the local route information 323 is not distinguished regarding the time zone, but it may be distinguished regarding the time zone. In this case, based on the positioning time of the position information included in the position information of the vehicle 50, the local route accumulation unit 312 distinguishes the local route information 323 for each time zone in which the vehicle 50 actually travels, H.323 is stored in the storage unit 32.

Then, when distributing the local route information 323 to the request source, the route information distribution unit 313 distributes the local route information 323 corresponding to the time zone for which the request for the route information is received to the request source.
This makes it possible to provide local route information 323 according to the time zone.

Third Modification
Further, as in the second modified example, there is a case where there is a correlation between time and a road situation (for example, a traffic congestion situation on a road), but there is also a case where there is no correlation. That is, there are cases where the time when the road is congested etc. differs depending on the day.

  So, in the embodiment mentioned above, although distinction about road conditions was not made about local route information 323, it may be made to distinguish about road conditions. In this case, based on the road condition acquired from the VICS (registered trademark) or the like via the communication unit 33, the local route accumulation unit 312 divides the road route information 323 for each road condition when the vehicle 50 actually travels. The local route information 323 is stored in the storage unit 32 separately.

Then, when distributing the local route information 323 to the request source, the route information distribution unit 313 distributes the local route information 323 corresponding to the road condition at the time of receiving the request for the route information to the request source. .
Thereby, it becomes possible to provide local route information 323 according to the road condition.

Fourth Modified Example
The functional configuration of the above-described embodiment may be modified. That is, the functional configurations of FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are merely examples, and the functional configurations of the present embodiment are not limited. That is, it is sufficient if each device is equipped with a function capable of executing a series of processes relating to the information analysis function of the present invention as a whole, and in particular, FIG. It is not limited to the example of 3 and FIG.

  Moreover, the description in the above-mentioned embodiment is only an illustration also about the apparatus for implement | achieving these functional structures. For example, in the above embodiment, the route information providing server 30 is described to be realized by one server device or the like, but it is also possible as a distributed processing system in which each function of the route information providing server 30 is distributed to a plurality of server devices as appropriate. Good. In addition, each function of the route information providing server 30 may be realized by using a virtual server function or the like on the cloud.

  In addition, the display unit 34 and the input unit 35 described as being included in the route information providing server 30 may be realized by a separate device from the device for realizing the other part of the route information providing server 30. For example, a device that implements the control unit 31, the storage unit 32, and the communication unit 33 and a device that implements the display unit 34 and the input unit 35 are separate bodies, and both devices communicate via the communication network 40. It is good also as composition.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Route guidance system 10 Vehicle-mounted navigation apparatus 11, 21, 31 Control part 111, 211 Route guidance part 112, 212 Position information transmission part 113, 213 Route information request part 12, 22, 32 Storage part 121, 221, 322 Map information 122 , 222 location information 123, 223 identification information 13, 23, 33 communication unit 14, 24 sensor unit 15, 25, 34 display unit 16, 26, 35 input unit 20 portable terminal 27 short distance communication unit 30 route information providing server 311 location Information database update unit 312 Local route storage unit 313 Route information distribution unit 321 Position information database 323 Local route information 40 Communication network 50a, 50b Vehicle

Claims (6)

A receiving unit that receives location information of the mobile;
A storage unit for storing map information including a facility position regarding the facility;
The departure position in the movement route to the facility of the mobile body is identified based on the position information of the mobile body, and the identified departure position is within a first predetermined range from the facility position identified by the map information In this case, a moving route storage unit that stores the moving route of the moving body to the facility as a stored moving route;
Route information for distributing the accumulated movement route to the request source, when the departure position on the current movement route of the mobile corresponding to the request source of the route information exists outside the second predetermined range from the facility position With the delivery department,
A route information providing server comprising:   The route information distribution unit further visits the facility along a moving route accompanied by a right turn based on the information on the road through which the mobile object is included, which is included in the map information. The route information providing server according to claim 1, wherein the stored movement route is distributed to the request source when it is determined that the possibility is high. The movement route storage unit further stores the accumulated movement route by discriminating the storage movement route for each time zone when the mobile actually moves, based on the positioning time of the position information included in the position information of the movement body And
The route information distribution unit further distributes, to the request source, the accumulated movement route corresponding to a time zone for which the request for the route information has been received, when distributing the accumulated movement route to the request source. The route information provision server according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The movement route storage unit further acquires information representing a road condition, and based on the information representing the road condition, the moving movement is classified according to the road condition when the stored movement route is actually moved. Accumulate routes,
The route information distribution unit further distributes the accumulated movement route corresponding to the road condition at the time of receiving the request for the route information to the request source when distributing the accumulated movement route to the request source. The routing information providing server according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which distributes. A route guidance system comprising the route information providing server according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and a mobile terminal.
The mobile terminal is
A route information request unit for transmitting a request for the route information to the route information providing server in the mobile unit;
A route guidance unit for performing route guidance to the facility in the mobile body based on the accumulated movement route distributed from the route information providing server in response to the request;
A route guidance system comprising: It is a route information provision method performed by a computer, and
A receiving step of receiving position information of the mobile;
A storing step of storing map information including a facility position regarding the facility;
The departure position in the moving route to the facility of the mobile body is identified based on the position information of the mobile body, and the identified departure position is within a first predetermined range from the facility position identified by the map information In this case, a movement path accumulation step of accumulating the movement path of the mobile unit to the facility as an accumulation movement path;
Route information for distributing the accumulated movement route to the request source, when the departure position on the current movement route of the mobile corresponding to the request source of the route information exists outside the second predetermined range from the facility position A delivery step,
A route information providing method comprising:

Images