JP6726707B2 - Information providing system, information providing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information providing system, an information providing method, and a program.

Conventionally, a technique of calculating an expected arrival time has been disclosed.

For example, in the navigation device described in Patent Document 1, the expected arrival time to the destination is calculated in consideration of traffic information, and the previous expected arrival time transmitted to the communication partner and the expected arrival acquired this time. A technology is disclosed that compares this time with the expected arrival time of this time and sends the expected arrival time of this time to the communication target if it is determined to be later or earlier than the previous expected arrival time. ..

JP, 2007-285954, A

However, the conventional navigation device described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the expected arrival time can be transmitted to the other party only when it is delayed or when it is earlier. That is, the conventional navigation device has a problem that when the expected arrival time does not change, the fact that there is no change cannot be notified.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and includes an information providing system, an information providing method, and an information providing method capable of notifying accurate latest information by always using real-time information, even when the estimated arrival time does not change. , For the purpose of providing the program.

In order to achieve such an object, the information providing system of the present invention relates to a real-time information storage unit that stores real-time information that is traffic information at the present time and a route from a departure point to a destination of a user who receives route guidance. A current estimated arrival time calculating means for calculating an estimated arrival time at the destination of the user who receives the route guidance at the present time, based on the route information and the real-time information stored in the real-time information storage means. A notification information generating unit for generating notification information including at least the estimated arrival time for notifying a user associated with the destination different from the user receiving the route guidance. To do.

Further, the information providing system of the present invention, in the information providing system described above, obtains a plurality of the routes from the origin to the destination, and obtains the estimated arrival time at the destination for the obtained plurality of routes. A route information acquisition unit for calculating is further provided.

Further, in the information providing system of the present invention, in the above-described information providing system, the route information acquiring means is a patrol route which is the route from the departure place to the destination via one or more transit points. It is characterized in that a plurality of pieces of information are acquired and the estimated time of arrival at the transit point and the destination is calculated.

Further, in the information providing system of the present invention, in the information providing system described above, when the estimated arrival time is designated by the user associated with the destination, the route corresponding to the designated estimated arrival time is set. It is characterized by further comprising guide route determining means for determining a guide route and route guiding means for executing the route guidance to a user who receives the route guidance using the guide route.

Further, the information providing system of the present invention enables communication between an information providing server, a terminal device owned by a user who receives route guidance, and a terminal device owned by a user who is associated with the destination of the user who receives the route guidance. In the connected information providing system, the information providing server, the terminal device possessed by the user who receives the route guidance, or the terminal device possessed by the user associated with the destination is real-time traffic information in real time. Real-time information storage means for storing information is provided, and the information providing server, a terminal device owned by a user who receives the route guidance, or a terminal device owned by a user associated with the destination receives the route guidance. Based on the route information on the route from the user's departure place to the destination and the real-time information stored in the real-time information storage means, the arrival of the user who receives the route guidance at the present time at the destination. The information provision server, a terminal device possessed by a user who receives the route guidance, or a terminal device possessed by a user who is associated with the destination has the above-mentioned purpose. A notification device for generating notification information including at least the estimated arrival time for notifying a user associated with the destination, wherein the terminal device owned by the user associated with the destination is the notification information. And a notification information output means for outputting.

In addition, the information providing method of the present invention is based on route information regarding a route from a departure point to a destination of a user who receives route guidance, and real-time information that is traffic information at the present time, based on the route at the present time. A current estimated arrival time calculating step of calculating an estimated arrival time at the destination of the user who receives the guidance, and at least the arrival for notifying a user associated with the destination different from the user receiving the route guidance. And a notification information generating step of generating notification information including the scheduled time.

In addition, the program of the present invention causes the computer to execute the above-mentioned current time based on the route information regarding the route from the departure point to the destination of the user who receives the route guidance and the real-time information that is the traffic information at the present time. At least the current estimated arrival time calculating means for calculating an estimated arrival time at the destination of the user who receives the route guidance, and at least the above for notifying a user associated with the destination different from the user receiving the route guidance. It is characterized by causing it to function as a notification information generating means for generating notification information including an estimated arrival time.

According to the present invention, the estimated arrival time at the destination of the user who receives the route guidance at the present time is calculated based on the route information regarding the route from the origin of the user who receives the route guidance to the destination and the real-time information. Since the notification information including at least the estimated arrival time for calculating and notifying the user who is related to the destination different from the user who receives the route guidance is generated, when there is a change or when there is no change. Also, the destination has the effect of being able to grasp the current situation.

Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of routes from the departure place to the destination are acquired, and the estimated arrival time at the destination is calculated for the plurality of acquired routes, so that a plurality of predictable arrival times are presented. Thus, it is possible to improve the predictability of the arrival time.

Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of patrol routes, which are routes from the origin to the destination via one or more transit points, are acquired, and the estimated arrival times at the transit points and the destinations are calculated. In a shipping company or the like, it is possible to present a plurality of arrival schedule candidates to each destination (destination).

Further, according to the present invention, when the estimated arrival time is designated by the user associated with the destination, the route corresponding to the designated estimated arrival time is determined as the guide route, and the route guidance is performed using the guide route. Since the route guidance is executed for the receiving user, the destination side can determine the route.

In the above description, the effect has been described by taking the information providing system of the present invention as an example, but the same effect can be obtained by the information providing method and the program.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information providing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the information providing system in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a patrol route in the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the estimated arrival time designation screen in this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the estimated arrival time designation screen in this embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the estimated arrival time confirmation screen in the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the estimated arrival time order input screen in the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information providing server according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the information providing system in the second embodiment.

Embodiments of an information providing system, a terminal device, an information providing server, an information providing method, and a program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

Hereinafter, the configuration and processing of the information providing system in the present invention will be described in detail in the order of the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. However, the first embodiment described below exemplifies an information providing system for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and is not intended to specify the present invention to this information providing system. However, the invention is equally applicable to the information providing systems of other embodiments included in the claims. For example, the form of function distribution on the server side and the terminal side in the information providing system illustrated in the first embodiment is not limited to the following, and functional or physical units can be used in arbitrary units within a range in which similar effects and functions can be obtained. Can be configured by being distributed and integrated into.

[Configuration of information provision system]
First, an example of the configuration of the information providing system according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information providing system according to the first embodiment, and conceptually shows only the portion related to the present invention in the configuration. In the present embodiment, an information providing system that provides communication-type navigation will be described as a specific example, but the present invention is not limited to this and is also applicable to a stand-alone type information providing system.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information providing system of the first embodiment schematically includes an information providing server 200 capable of providing map information, route search, and the like, and one or more route guidance applications and transfer. A terminal device 100 equipped with a guidance application or the like is communicably connected to the terminal device 100. Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the communication includes, for example, remote communication such as wired/wireless communication via the network 300. Further, each unit of these information providing systems is communicably connected via an arbitrary communication path.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the information providing system according to the first embodiment, the information providing server 200 schematically includes at least a control unit 202 and a storage unit 206, and the terminal device 100 includes a position acquisition unit. Reference numeral 112 includes an output unit (display unit 114 and voice output unit 116), an input unit 118, a control unit 102, and a storage unit 106.

[Configuration of information providing server 200]
Here, in FIG. 1, the information providing server 200, based on the route information regarding the route from the departure point to the destination of the user who receives the route guidance and the real-time information, relates to the user who receives the route guidance at the present time. It has a function of calculating the estimated arrival time at the destination and generating the notification information including at least the estimated arrival time for notifying the user related to the destination. The information providing server 200 is communicably connected to the terminal device 100 via the network 300 via the communication control interface unit 204, and includes a control unit 202 and a storage unit 206. The control unit 202 is a control unit that performs various processes. The communication control interface unit 204 is an interface connected to a communication device (not shown) such as an antenna or a router connected to a communication line or a telephone line, and controls communication between the information providing server 200 and the network 300. Has the function of performing. That is, the communication control interface unit 204 has a function of communicating data with the terminal device 100 or the like via a communication line. The storage unit 206 is a storage unit such as a fixed disk device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and various databases and tables (a network information database 206a, a traffic information database 206b, a real-time information database 206c). , A map information database 206d, and a guide information database 206e).

Among the respective constituent elements of the storage unit 206, the network information database 206a is a network information storage unit that stores network information regarding a network that defines a transportation network. Here, the network information is information about a network represented by a combination of a node, which is a node on the traffic network representation, and a link connecting the nodes, that is, a combination of the node information and the link information. May be. Further, the node information may include a widget such as an icon indicating a node. Moreover, the network information may include road network information, route network information, and in-facility network information. Further, the network information database 206a includes vehicle network information regarding a vehicle network represented by a combination of a roadway node and a roadway link, and a pedestrian regarding a pedestrian network represented by a combination of a sidewalk node and a sidewalk link. Road network information including the network information for use may be stored. Further, the network information database 206a may store connection node information that is node information regarding a connection node that is a connection position where a plurality of networks are connected. The network information is stored in advance in the network information database 206a, and the control unit 202 of the information providing server 200 periodically and/or according to the processing by the control unit 202 (for example, data in the control unit 202). The latest data is downloaded from an external device (for example, a map providing server that provides map information) via the network 300 to update the network information stored in the network information database 206a. May be.

Here, the road network information included in the network information is network information that defines the road network, and is, for example, node information regarding nodes that are nodes in the road network representation such as intersections and road sections between nodes. It is network information represented by a combination with link information about links. Here, the road network information is network information for each type of road corresponding to a car, a bicycle, or a walk (for example, a highway national road, a motorway, a general road, a bicycle road, or a pedestrian road). It may be stored in the database 206a. For example, road network information includes vehicle network information about a vehicle network represented by a combination of a roadway node and a roadway link, and pedestrian network information about a pedestrian network represented by a combination of a sidewalk node and a sidewalk link. It may include network information. Here, the roadway node may be an intersection, a signal, a stop line, or the like. In addition, a sidewalk link is a link for pedestrians that is a place where pedestrians can pass, not only where there is a sidewalk, but for example, sidewalks, pedestrian roads, bicycle pedestrian roads, and bicycle pedestrians. It may be a road, a staircase, an elevator, an escalator, a moving walkway, a walkway such as a roadside belt, a pedestrian crossing, a footbridge, or a crosswalk such as an underpass. A sidewalk node is a signal, an intersection, a corner of a walkway, a connection point between a walkway and a crosswalk, or between walkways (for example, a pedestrian walkway and an elevator (elevator, escalator, or moving walkway)) or stairs. And the like) (for example, an elevator hall). In addition, the node information includes a node number (for example, a node ID and the like), position information such as a node name, position coordinates such as latitude and longitude altitude, a scale of the node (for example, the size of an intersection), and a traffic signal of the node. It may include information such as installation status (installation information), node type, number of links to be connected, connection node number, and intersection name. The link information includes link numbers (for example, link IDs, etc.), start node IDs, end node IDs, types of roads, route numbers of national roads, prefectural roads, city roads, etc., line information to be heavily used, and administration in which links exist. Area attribute information, link length (for example, distance, etc.), road service status, traffic regulation section during abnormal weather, vehicle weight restriction, vehicle height restriction, width, road width classification, lane information (for example, number of lanes, route bus) About dedicated lanes, lanes dedicated to motorcycles, lanes dedicated to motorcycles and light vehicles, priority lanes such as route buses, lanes dedicated to bicycles, lanes for vehicles, lanes according to direction of travel, etc. Vehicle lane information, etc.), installation information for the Chuo Line including median strips, pedestrian paths (for example, sidewalks, bicycle paths, pedestrian roads, bicycle roads, bicycle pedestrian roads, bicycle pedestrian roads, or, Pedestrian road information (eg, including pedestrian installation information and location information about installation position), pedestrian crossing information (eg, pedestrian crossing, pedestrian bridge, and underpass) (eg , Crossroad installation information and location information about installation location), installation status of traffic lights on the link (installation information), speed limits, lane change restrictions, in-link attributes such as overpasses, tunnels and bridges, and Information such as a name (for example, a road name) may be included. Further, the road network information may include usage charge data and the like. Here, the usage charge data may be information representing fuel charges consumed when moving by automobiles and motorcycles, and tolls for toll roads such as highway national highways and motorways. Further, the road network information may store position information such as latitude and longitude information of facilities such as automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, and facilities existing on a route when walking or the like.

In addition, the route network information included in the network information is network information that defines the route network of each transportation system (for example, public transportation system) such as a railroad, an airplane, a bus, and a ship. Node information (for example, stop point information) about nodes that are nodes (for example, stations, stops, stops, airports, ports, and terminals that are stop points for transportation), and between nodes It is network information represented by a combination with link information (for example, route information including operation route information) related to links (for example, railroad routes, air routes, routes, bus routes, etc.). Here, the route network information may be stored in the network information database 206a for each operating company, each route, and each public transportation system that operates the route. In addition, the route may be a line connecting a departure place and a destination where the transportation passes. In addition, the operation route information is information regarding an operation route on which the transportation facility in which the transportation route is set actually moves and may include position information of the operation route. In addition, the railway is a transportation system that transports passengers and cargo by being guided by fixed guideways (rails, guide rails, etc.) installed on the route, such as trains, trams, It may be a ropeway, a monorail, a cable car, a linear motor car, or the like. In addition, the node information includes a node number (for example, a node ID, etc.), a node name (for example, a station name, a stop name, a stop name, a stop name, an airport name, a port name, which is a name of a transportation stop point, Information such as terminal name) and position information such as latitude and longitude altitude. The link information includes a link number (for example, a link ID), a start node ID, an end node ID, a type, a link length (for example, a distance), an in-link attribute such as an viaduct, a tunnel and a bridge, and a link name. (For example, a route name), and information such as position information such as latitude and longitude altitude may be included. In addition, the route network information further includes the type of transportation (for example, limited express, express, semi-express, rapid, rapid express, commuter express, commuter express, section express, section semi-express, section express, station stop, and , Normal, etc.) node information (for example, an express stop station, a semi-express stop station, a rapid stop station, etc.) and link information about links such as railroad lines and bus lines connecting the nodes. The network information represented by the combination of and may be included in association with the type.

In addition, the route network information includes position information (for example, latitude/longitude altitude) of a boarding/alighting place of a transportation facility (for example, a platform of a station), shape information, and layout information (for example, an island platform and a relative platform). , And may include the entry/exit location information including attribute information (for example, the name and identification number of the entry/exit location such as the platform number). In addition, the route network information may include use fare data for transportation. Here, the usage fare data may be, for example, information representing a fare, a fare, and the like that occur when using each transportation such as a railroad, an airplane, a bus, and a ship. Further, the route network information may include boarding position data. Here, the boarding position data is, for example, a boarding position of a transportation system in which a plurality of vehicles such as a train, a streetcar, a monorail, a cable car, and a linear motor car are connected (for example, a vehicle close to a ticket gate, convenient for transfer. Information such as a vehicle in a different position, a vehicle with a low congestion rate, and a female-only vehicle).

The in-facility network information included in the network information is network information that defines the route network in the facility. Here, in-facility network information includes, for example, entrances and exits of shops, companies, offices, toilets, etc. in buildings, entrances and exits of elevators and escalators, entrances and exits of stairs, boarding entrances of planes, etc., on platforms of stations. Node information about nodes that are connecting points such as train passage points and ticket gates of stations, etc., and passages connecting steps between nodes, stairs, moving walkways, escalators, elevators, etc. It is network information represented by a combination with link information about links. Here, the node information includes a node number (for example, a node ID), a name of a node (an entrance/exit name, etc.), position information such as position coordinates such as latitude/longitude altitude, a node type (for example, an entrance/exit, etc.). Information such as an entrance/exit, a corner of a passage, a branch point of a passage, the number of links to be connected, and a connection node number may be included. Further, the link information includes a link number (for example, a link ID or the like), a start node ID, an end node ID, a link length, a width, a link type (for example, a passage connecting steps between nodes, a stairway, a slope, an escalator, an elevator, And moving sidewalks), and barrier-free information. Here, the facility may be a station, an office building, a hotel, a department store, a supermarket, a museum, a museum, a school, an aquarium, an underground passage, a multilevel parking lot, an underground parking lot, or an indoor structure such as an underground mall. .. Further, the facility may be an outdoor building such as a bus terminal, a park, an amusement park, a campsite, a connecting passage, an outdoor parking lot, or a zoo.

The traffic information database 206b is a traffic information storage unit that stores traffic information. Here, the traffic information may include timetable information regarding the timetable of the transportation facility. Here, the timetable information may include stoppoint timetable information regarding a timetable for each stop point of the transportation facility, and operation timetable information regarding an operation timetable for each transportation facility. Further, the timetable information may be information representing a timetable of each transportation such as a railroad, an airplane, a bus, and a ship. Further, the timetable information further includes the departure/arrival time of the transportation facility at a node on the route (that is, the stop point of the transportation facility) (for example, scheduled time of departure, transit, and arrival), the name of the transportation facility route, The information may include attribute information such as the name of a node on the route of the transportation facility (that is, the stop point of the transportation facility). In addition, the timetable information includes transportation attribute information (for example, type and destination information) associated with each section (for example, one or more links) that connects nodes on a transportation route. You can leave. Further, the timetable information may include attribute information of the boarding/alighting place such as the name and identification number (eg, platform number) of the boarding/alighting place used for getting on/off of each transportation facility. Further, the stop point timetable information may be timetable information in units of stop points (for example, timetable information that determines the arrival time of a transportation facility passing through each stop point). Further, the operation timetable information may be timetable information for each transportation system (for example, timetable information that defines transit times at stop points through which each transportation system transits). Further, the traffic information may include operation information of transportation facilities (for example, delay information, suspension information, etc.). For example, the operation information includes railway operation information, air operation information, ship operation information, and It may include bus operation information and the like. Note that the operation information may include information about stop points and scheduled passage times for each route or flight. Further, the timetable information further includes transportation destination information (for example, final destination information) and types of transportation (for example, limited express, express, semi-express, rapid express, rapid express, commuter express, commute express, commute). Information such as express, section express, section semi-express, section rapid, each station stop, and normal).

Further, the traffic information may include road traffic information. Here, the road traffic information may include traffic jam information such as a traffic jam occurrence point, a traffic jam distance, and a transit time between two points on the road (that is, travel time). Further, the road traffic information may include traffic obstacle information, traffic regulation information, and the like. Here, the traffic regulation information is data that defines various traffic regulations, and includes, for example, precipitation regulation, snow cover/freezing regulation, ultrasonic regulation, wind speed regulation, visibility regulation, etc. Vehicle traffic regulations such as regulations and weight regulations, road construction and work, construction regulations accompanying road construction, traffic zone regulations that regulate the traffic zones that can be traveled depending on the time of day and vehicle type, and vehicle traffic due to damage to the road, etc. It may include information such as prohibition of general vehicles from entering due to a community zone installed to secure traffic safety, and prohibition of general vehicles from entering because it is a connecting road to private land. Further, the traffic regulation information may be traffic regulation information in which a vehicle lane or the like becomes inoperable or difficult due to construction, accident, vehicle breakdown, or the like. The traffic information is stored in advance in the traffic information database 206b, and the control unit 202 of the information providing server 200 regularly (for example, every 5 minutes) and/or for processing by the control unit 202. In response to this (for example, when the control unit 202 needs data), the latest data is transmitted via the network 300 to an external system (for example, National Police Agency, VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System), and It is downloaded from ATiS (registered trademark) (Advanced Traffic Information Service), Japan Road Traffic Information Center (registered trademark) (JARTIC (registered trademark)), railway company, bus company, traffic information distribution server (service), etc. The traffic information stored in the traffic information database 206b may be updated.

The real-time information database 206c is a real-time information storage unit that stores real-time information that is traffic information at the present time. Here, the real-time information may include current position information of a user such as a service provider (for example, a user of the terminal device 100), previous and next schedules, and/or achievements. The real-time information is stored in advance in the real-time information database 206c, and the control unit 202 of the information providing server 200 periodically (for example, every one minute) and/or for processing by the control unit 202. Accordingly, the latest data may be downloaded from an external system or the like via the network 300 (for example, when the control unit 202 needs the data) to update the real-time information stored in the real-time information database 206c. ..

The map information database 206d is a map information storage unit that stores map information regarding maps. Here, the map information database 206d may store map information regarding maps of a plurality of scales, or map information that can correspond to maps of a plurality of scales. That is, the map information may include an image for drawing a map in a raster format with a plurality of scales, an image for drawing a map in a vector format, or the like. Here, the map information may be, for example, outdoor map information such as map information meshed according to a scale (for example, JIS standard first to third area division mesh data and 100 m mesh data). .. Further, the map information may include outdoor map information such as road map information for the whole country and each region. Further, the map information database 206d may store route map information regarding a route map of public transportation. Further, the map information may include indoor map information such as a floor guide map regarding a building having height information (for example, a multilevel parking lot, a station, a department store, a school, etc.). Further, the map information database 206d may store the map information and a map ID (for example, a mesh number or the like) that uniquely identifies the map information in association with each other. Note that the map information (map data) is not limited to map data that has been faithfully represented in a reduced scale, such as road maps, but some or all of the information such as the scale and direction is omitted, as in tourist maps. It may be simple map data (deformed map) or the like.

Further, the map information database 206d may further store map object information regarding map objects displayed on the map. Here, the map object information is a feature displayed on the map (for example, a building, a house, a building such as a station, a road, a railroad, a bridge, a tunnel, a contour line, a coastline, a lakeshore, etc.). Shape information (polygons, polylines, etc.) on the shape of lifelines, seas, rivers, lakes, ponds, swamps, parks, sites such as outdoor facilities, administrative circles, administrative districts, and blocks), on a map Note displayed in (for example, place name, address, telephone number, store, park, building, facility name such as station, famous name, historic site, river, lake, bay, mountain, and common name including forest etc. , Roads, bridges, and tunnel names, route names, point information, and word-of-mouth information, facility opening hours, store products, URLs, photo data, coupon information, etc.), and note information, and Symbols displayed on the map (for example, mountains, historic sites, temples, government offices, police stations, police boxes, fire stations, stations, medical institutions, museums, schools, factories, and cemeteries, restaurants, food, etc. Store symbols such as goods stores, liquor stores, tobacco stores, department stores, shopping centers, supermarkets, convenience stores, gas stations, financial institutions, and post offices, traffic lights, toll road entrances, toll gates, service areas, parking Areas and symbols such as interchanges, parking lots, stations, hotels, museums, facility symbols such as museums, and symbol information (eg, point-of-visit points symbols), etc. Good. Here, the shape information may include an image (for example, a polygon, a polyline, etc.) for drawing a map object.

Further, the map information database 206d may further store POI information including position information of a POI (Point Of Interest). Here, the POI information is POI location information, POI name, type (category), URL, business hours, products handled, average price (for example, average usage fee, etc.), reputation, ranking, ease of visiting, recommendation score. , Photo data, coupon information, word-of-mouth (for example, word-of-mouth evaluation and user comments), usage conditions, availability, facility scale, POI ID, reference rate such as the number of times or frequency of access to the POI information, and Information such as the date and time of update of the POI information may be included. Here, the position (coordinates) information of the POI is the latitude and longitude altitude of the POI, the telephone number of the POI, the address of the POI, and the location of the point where the POI exists (urban areas, suburbs, harbors, and the vicinity of stations, etc.). ) And application restrictions, etc. may be included. The POI is a specific point or facility perceived by a person as a convenient place or a place of interest, and is a store, company, office, public facility, entertainment facility, outdoor facility, or the like. May be. Here, the stores include, for example, restaurants, grocery stores, liquor stores, tobacco stores, department stores, shopping centers, supermarkets, convenience stores, gas stations, financial institutions, post offices, multilevel parking lots, and hotels and inns. It may be an accommodation facility or the like. Further, the public facilities may be, for example, government offices, police stations, police boxes, fire stations, stations, medical institutions, museums, museums, schools and the like. Further, the entertainment facility may be, for example, a movie theater, a theater, an amusement park, a pachinko parlor, a casino, a horse racetrack, or the like. Further, the outdoor facility may be a bus terminal, a park, an amusement park, a campsite, a connecting passage, an outdoor parking lot, a zoo, or the like. Further, the POI may be a venue for a temporary event (for example, a festival, an exhibition, an exposition, a game, a concert, a flea market, or the like).

In addition, the indoor map information included in the map information may include indoor route data for indoor routes on the premises such as facilities. Here, the premises route data may be data based on at least the movement route data on the premises such as a station and the map information of a map (facility guide map) including the movement route. For example, the indoor route data may be an image in which the moving route is drawn on the facility guide map. Further, for example, the indoor route data may further include message data that describes the moving route. Here, the travel route based on the travel route data may be an optimal route (for example, the shortest route or barrier-free route) that connects ticket gates and the like when transferring to a plurality of transportation facilities in the facility. In addition, the map information and the like are stored in advance in the map information database 206d, and the control unit 202 of the information providing server 200 periodically (and/or according to the processing by the control unit 202 (for example, the control unit). The map information stored in the map information database 206d by downloading the latest data from an external device (for example, a map providing server that provides map information) via the network 300 (when the data is needed in 202, etc.) Etc. may be updated.

The guidance information database 206e is a guidance information storage unit that stores guidance information (voice guidance information, display guidance information, etc.). Here, the display guidance information included in the guidance information is turn-by-turn (TBT), which is an arrow navigation that displays a guidance such as a right turn or left turn on the screen, which is associated with a traveling direction at a branch point or the like, and It may be character data or the like notifying that the position is close to the target object, and may be used, for example, when the control unit 102 of the terminal device 100 executes the display guidance. Further, the display guidance information may include map information (for example, an enlarged view of an intersection) regarding a low-scale map around the intersection, a road sign image of a road sign, a road display image of a road marking, and the like. Further, the voice guidance information included in the guidance information may be voice information that informs that there is a congested area around the current position. Crossing is possible", "There is also a crossing ahead", "This is the last crossing", "Traffic is ahead" associated with the guidance of the congestion point, and the direction of travel at branch points, etc. It may be voice information such as "Turn left at the next intersection" that is associated with, etc., and "It will be around the destination soon" that is associated when the current position approaches the destination, For example, the control unit 102 of the terminal device 100 may be used when executing voice guidance.

The control unit 202 has a control program such as an OS (Operating System), a program that defines various processing procedures, and an internal memory for storing required data. Then, the control unit 202 performs information processing for executing various processes by using these programs and the like. The control unit 202 functionally and conceptually includes a route information acquisition unit 202a, a notification information generation unit 202b, a guide route determination unit 202c, a route information transmission unit 202d, and a current estimated arrival time calculation unit 202e.

Of these, the route information acquisition unit 202a is a route information acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of routes from a departure place to a destination and calculates an estimated arrival time at the destination for the acquired plurality of routes. Here, the route information acquisition unit 202a acquires a plurality of patrol routes which are routes from a departure point to a destination via one or more transit points, and calculates estimated arrival times at the transit points and the destinations. May be. In addition, the route information acquisition unit 202a may search for a route from the departure point to the destination and generate route information regarding the route. The route information acquisition unit 202a may also calculate the estimated arrival time at the destination. Further, the route information acquisition unit 202a may search for a route from the departure place to the destination using the network information stored in the network information database 206a. Further, the route information acquisition unit 202a searches for a plurality of patrol routes, which are routes from a departure point to a destination via one or more transit points, using the network information stored in the network information database 206a. Good. The route information acquisition unit 202a may also calculate the estimated arrival time at the waypoint. In addition, the route information acquisition unit 202a may further search for a route from the departure point to the destination based on the traffic information stored in the traffic information database 206b. For example, the route information acquisition unit 202a uses the network information stored in the network information database 206a based on the traffic information stored in the traffic information database 206b for the route from the departure point to the destination satisfying the route search condition. You may search. In addition, the route search conditions are the estimated arrival time of the destination (route), the order of arrival of the destination (route), the priority destination (route), the means of transportation (for example, use of public transportation, use of bicycle). , Use of railroad, or use of car (eg, general road priority, highway priority, toll road priority, recommendation, use of loophole, etc.), departure time, and/or information regarding conditions such as date You can leave.

The notification information generation unit 202b is a notification information generation unit that generates notification information including at least the estimated arrival time for notifying a user who is associated with a destination different from the user who receives the route guidance. Here, the notification information may include information about a plurality of candidate routes. Further, the notification information may include information that identifies the route. Further, the notification information generation unit 202b may further transmit the notification information to the terminal device 100.

The guide route determination unit 202c is a guide route determination unit that determines the designated route as the guide route when the route designation is received from the user associated with the destination. For example, when the estimated arrival time output via the output unit of the terminal device 100 is specified via the input unit 118 of the terminal device 100, the guidance route determination unit 202c corresponds to the specified estimated arrival time. The route to be taken may be determined as the guide route. Further, the guide route determination unit 202c outputs information specifying a route from a user associated with a destination (for example, a route number (for example, when a plurality of candidate routes are output as candidate 1, candidate 2,... (Corresponding to Candidate 1, Candidate 2...), departure time, required charge, toll road charge, gasoline charge, or CO2 emission amount, etc.), the route corresponding to the information is used as the guide route. You may decide.

The route information transmitting unit 202d is a route information transmitting unit that transmits the route information generated by the route information acquiring unit 202a to the terminal device 100. Here, the route information may be route information regarding the guide route determined by the guide route determination unit 202c. Further, the route information transmitting unit 202d further receives the map information stored in the map information database 206d and/or the guide information (display guide information, voice guide information, etc.) stored in the guide information database 206e. May be sent to.

The current estimated arrival time calculating unit 202e is a current estimated arrival time calculating unit that calculates the estimated arrival time at the present time by using the real-time information stored in the real-time information database 206c. Here, the current estimated arrival time calculation unit 202e calculates the current time based on the route information regarding the route from the departure point to the destination of the user who receives the route guidance and the real-time information stored in the real-time information database 206c. The estimated arrival time of the user who receives the route guidance at the destination may be calculated.

[Configuration of terminal device 100]
Further, in FIG. 1, the terminal device 100 has a function of receiving the notification information transmitted from the information providing server 200 and outputting the notification information via an output unit. The terminal device 100 is, for example, an information processing device such as a commercially available desktop or notebook personal computer, a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a PHS, and a PDA, and a navigation terminal that provides travel route guidance and the like. (For example, a car navigation device). Here, the terminal device 100 may be equipped with an internet browser or the like, and may be equipped with a route guidance application, a transfer guidance application, an information search application, or the like. Further, the terminal device 100 may include a position acquisition unit 112 having a GPS function, an IMES function, or the like so that the current position can be measured in real time. Further, the terminal device 100 may include an output unit including at least the display unit 114 and the audio output unit 116. In addition, the terminal device 100 may include an input unit 118 that inputs data.

Here, the display unit 114 may be a display unit (for example, a display including liquid crystal or organic EL, a monitor, a touch panel, or the like) that displays a display screen of an application or the like. The audio output unit 116 may be an audio output unit (for example, a speaker) that outputs audio information as audio. Further, the input unit 118 may be, for example, a key input unit, a touch panel, a control pad (for example, a touch pad, a game pad, etc.), a mouse, a keyboard, a microphone, or the like. The input/output control interface unit 108 also controls the position acquisition unit 112, the display unit 114, the audio output unit 116, the input unit 118, and the like.

Here, the position acquisition unit 112 may be, for example, a signal reception unit that receives the position information signal transmitted from the position transmission device 500. Here, the position transmitting device 500 may be a GPS device (for example, a GPS satellite) that transmits a position information signal (GPS signal). Here, the GPS signal may include the time from an atomic clock or the like mounted on the GPS device, the ephemeris of the GPS device (for example, orbit information, etc.), and the like. The position transmitting device 500 may be a base station (for example, a mobile phone, a car phone, a PHS base station, or the like) that is a device or the like for performing wireless communication with the terminal device 100. The position transmitting device 500 may be an IMES device that realizes an IMES (Indoor Message System) technology that enables indoor positioning using a position information signal having characteristics similar to a GPS signal.

The position transmitting device 500 may be a GPS repeater that transmits a GPS signal received outdoors, indoors. Further, the position transmitting device 500 is arbitrarily installed on each floor in a building (for example, a multi-storey car park or the like) or each place of an underground structure (for example, a subway station, an underground mall, an underground communication passage, or an underground car park). It may be a small transmitter. In addition, self-position information (position ID, etc.) according to the installation location is assigned to this small-sized transmitter. Then, when the terminal device 100 enters the communicable range, the terminal device 100 receives the self-position information transmitted from the small transmitter as a position information signal. The communication system at this time may be, for example, various short-range wireless systems such as an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag system or Bluetooth (registered trademark), or an infrared communication system. The position transmitting device 500 may be a wireless LAN access point. In this embodiment, the position acquisition unit 112 may receive a wireless LAN signal or the like and acquire the identification information of the access point. Then, the control unit 102 may specify the position of the access point from the identification information unique to the access point acquired by the position acquisition unit 112 and acquire the position information. Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 102 may calculate position information including latitude, longitude, and height information from the position information signal acquired by the position acquisition unit 112. Here, the position information may indicate an absolute position specified by latitude and longitude, or a relative position from a reference position.

Here, the position acquisition unit 112 may include a speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, an azimuth sensor, a distance sensor, and the like that detect a change amount (for example, a vector amount) of the terminal device 100. Here, the position acquisition unit 112 may detect the speed with a speed sensor. Further, the position acquisition unit 112 may detect the acceleration with an acceleration sensor. Further, the position acquisition unit 112 may detect the azimuth (for example, east/west/south/south/north/heaven/ground) and the inclination with the azimuth sensor. The position acquisition unit 112 may detect the moving distance (displacement) with a distance sensor. Here, the speed sensor may be a laser Doppler vibrometer or the like, and may detect the speed of the terminal device 100 from the frequency difference or the like caused by the detected Doppler effect. Further, the acceleration sensor may be a mechanical acceleration sensor, an optical acceleration sensor such as an FBG optical fiber type, or a semiconductor type acceleration sensor such as a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) acceleration sensor. Further, a geomagnetic sensor that detects an absolute traveling direction, an optical gyro that detects a relative traveling direction, or the like may be used as the direction sensor. Further, the azimuth sensor may be an electronic compass or the like that can obtain information about the azimuth and the inclination by combining the geomagnetic sensor and the acceleration sensor. Further, when the terminal device 100 is an information processing terminal for a vehicle, the distance sensor may generate a pulse signal in proportion to the rotation speed of the axle and detect a moving distance in proportion to the number of pulse signals.

Further, the position acquisition unit 112 may further include a communication device, and when the terminal device 100 is an information processing terminal for a vehicle, the vehicle position is determined from the inter-vehicle communication of the communication device mounted on each vehicle. You may acquire the positional information which shows. Further, the position acquisition unit 112 may acquire position information indicating the current position of the user of the terminal device 100 based on the map information.

The communication control interface unit 104 is an interface connected to a communication device (not shown) such as an antenna or a router connected to a communication line or a telephone line, and communication between the terminal device 100 and the network 300. It has the function of controlling. That is, the communication control interface unit 104 has a function of communicating data with the information providing server 200 or the like via a communication line. Further, the network 300 has a function of mutually connecting the terminal device 100 and the information providing server 200 to an external device such as an external map providing server or an external system. For example, the Internet, a telephone line network (mobile terminal line). Network and general telephone network), an intranet, or power line communication (PLC).

Further, the storage unit 106 is a large-capacity storage unit such as an HDD or SSD, and/or a storage unit such as a small-capacity high-speed memory (for example, cache memory) configured by using an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or the like. Therefore, various databases, files, and tables (output information file 106a, etc.) may be stored. Here, the storage unit 106 may temporarily store various files and the like.

The output information file 106a is an output information storage unit that stores output information. Here, the output information may include notification information, estimated arrival time, route information, map information, and/or guidance information.

The control unit 102 also has a control program such as an OS, a program that defines various processing procedures, and an internal memory for storing required data. Then, the control unit 102 performs information processing for executing various processes by using these programs and the like. Conceptually, the control unit 102 includes a current position information acquisition unit 102a, a notification information reception unit 102b, a notification information output unit 102c, a route information reception unit 102d, and a route guidance unit 102e.

Here, the current position information acquisition unit 102a is a current position information acquisition unit that acquires the current position information of the user of the terminal device 100. Here, the current position information acquisition unit 102a may acquire the current position information of the user of the terminal device 100 at predetermined time intervals (for example, every one second or every three minutes), that is, at a predetermined cycle. Good. Further, the current position information acquisition unit 102a may acquire the position information calculated from the position information signal received from the position transmission device 500 by the position acquisition unit 112 as the current position information of the user of the terminal device 100. The current position information acquisition unit 102a may further transmit the current position information of the user of the terminal device 100 to the information providing server 200. Further, the current position information may include the acquisition time (for example, the calling time included in the position information signal).

Further, the current position information acquisition unit 102a may acquire position information such as position coordinates about the current position input by the user via the input unit 118 as the current position information of the user of the terminal device 100. Here, the current position based on the current position information input by the user via the input unit 118 may be a position where the user actually exists, or a virtual current position arbitrarily selected by the user. (As an example, it may be an arbitrary station such as an Osaka station or airport selected by a user in Tokyo). For example, the current position information acquisition unit 102a corresponds to a display position designated by the user via the input unit 118 (eg, designated via a touch panel) on the map information displayed on the display unit 114. The information may be acquired as the current position information of the user of the terminal device 100.

The notification information receiving unit 102b is a notification information receiving unit that receives the notification information transmitted from the information providing server 200. Here, the notification information receiving unit 102b may further store the notification information in the output information file 106a. Here, when the existing notification information is stored in the output information file 106a, the notification information receiving unit 102b may overwrite the existing notification information with the newly set notification information and store it.

The notification information output unit 102c is a notification information output unit that outputs the notification information via the output unit. Here, the notification information output unit 102c may display the notification information on the display unit 114. Further, the notification information output unit 102c may output the notification information via the audio output unit 116.

The route information receiving unit 102d is an output information receiving unit that receives the route information transmitted from the information providing server 200. Here, the route information receiving unit 102d may further receive the map information and/or the guidance information transmitted from the information providing server 200. The route information receiving unit 102d may further store the received information (output information) in the output information file 106a. Here, when the existing reception information (output information) is stored in the output information file 106a, the route information receiving unit 102d replaces the newly set reception information (output information) with the existing reception information (output information). ) May be overwritten and stored.

The route guidance unit 102e is a route guidance unit that performs route guidance to users who receive route guidance using the guidance route. Here, the route guidance unit 102e may execute route guidance by causing the output unit to output route information regarding the guide route. The route guidance unit 102e may display the route information on the display unit 114. The route guidance unit 102e further uses route guidance information (map information included in the output information and/or guidance information (display guidance information) included in the output information) and/or the use of the terminal device 100. The route guidance may be executed by displaying the current position information of the person on the display unit 114. Here, the route guidance unit 102e may execute route guidance when a route guidance start request is input via the input unit 118. Further, the route guidance unit 102e may output voice information corresponding to the display (voice guidance information included in the guidance information) via the voice output unit 116.

This is the end of the description of the example of the configuration of the information providing system according to the first embodiment.

[Processing of information provision system]
Next, an example of the processing of the information providing system according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the information providing system in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, first, the control unit 102 of the terminal device 100-1 of the user (service provider) who receives the route guidance relates to the departure place, the plurality of destinations, and the departure time (for example, the current time). When an input screen for inputting the route search condition including the condition is displayed on the display unit 114 and the route search condition is input by the service provider via the input unit 118, the route search condition is displayed on the information providing server 200. It is transmitted (step SA-1). Here, the service provider may be a logistics company (courier service) such as a courier, a salesman, or a taxi company. In addition, the route search conditions further include the estimated arrival time of the destination (route), the order of arrival of the destination (route), the priority destination (route), the means of transportation (for example, using public transportation, It may include conditions regarding use of a bicycle, use of a railway, use of a car (eg, priority of general road, priority of expressway, priority of toll road, recommendation, use of bypass, etc.), and/or date. ..

Then, the route information acquisition unit 202a of the information providing server 200 receives the route search condition transmitted from the terminal device 100-1, and from the departure point via the one or more transit points satisfying the route search condition to the destination. The roundabout route, which is the route up to, is searched using the network information stored in the network information database 206a based on the traffic information stored in the traffic information database 206b, and the estimated arrival time at the stopover and the destination. Route information relating to the route including is generated (step SA-2). Here, the route information acquisition unit 202a searches for a plurality of routes from the starting point to the destination using the network information stored in the network information database 206a based on the traffic information stored in the traffic information database 206b. The route information regarding the route including the estimated arrival time at the destination may be generated. In addition, the route information acquisition unit 202a, based on the traffic information stored in the traffic information database 206b, the patrol route, which is the route from the departure point to the destination via one or more transit points, based on the traffic information stored in the traffic information database 206b. A plurality of searches may be performed using the network information stored in, and the route information regarding the route including the estimated arrival time at the via point and the destination may be generated. Here, when the destination is one point, the route information acquisition unit 202a may search a plurality of routes with changed search conditions and calculate the estimated arrival time. For example, the route information acquisition unit 202a arrives at 12:34 if the road is prioritized (generally takes the longest time) or arrives at 12:03 if the expressway is prioritized (generally takes the least time). It is also possible to calculate one scheduled arrival time and notify the client. In this case, it can be seen that the scheduled arrival is in the range of 12:03 to 12:34. In addition, the route information acquisition unit 202a searches a route for each route search condition such as general road priority, highway priority, toll road priority, recommendation, or use of a loophole, calculates an estimated arrival time, and notifies the client of it. May be.

Then, the notification information generation unit 202b of the information providing server 200 at least the estimated arrival time calculated by the route information acquisition unit 202a for notifying the user (client) associated with the destination different from the service provider. The notification information including the is generated and the notification information is transmitted to the terminal device 100-2 (step SA-3). Here, the notification information may include route information other than the respective estimated arrival times for the plurality of routes. For example, the notification information may include information specifying a route (route number, required charge, toll road charge, gasoline charge, and/or CO2 emission amount, etc.). Here, the notification (presentation pattern) may be a mail notification, a Push notification on the application, a response to an inquiry from the destination (client), etc. It may be other than the notification by e-mail or the like, such as displaying and confirming the information of the mover (service provider).

Then, the notification information receiving unit 102b of the terminal device 100-2 of the client receives the notification information transmitted from the information providing server 200 (step SA-4). Here, the client may be a delivery destination of a logistics company, a company visited by a salesperson, a passenger of a taxi, or the like (a person or an organization, etc.) who needs to present an accurate arrival time. .. Further, the notification information receiving unit 102b may further store the notification information in the output information file 106a. Here, when the existing notification information is stored in the output information file 106a, the notification information receiving unit 102b may overwrite the existing notification information with the newly set notification information and store it.

Then, the notification information output unit 102c of the client terminal device 100-2 causes the display unit 114 to display the estimated arrival time included in the notification information received by the notification information receiving unit 102b in a specifiable manner (step SA-5). .. Here, the notification information output unit 102c may cause the display unit 114 to display the information specifying the route included in the notification information received by the notification information receiving unit 102b in a specifiable manner. For example, the notification information output unit 102c uses the route number (for example, (1), (2), (3), etc. corresponding to candidate 1, candidate 2, and candidate 3 of the route search result, as shown in FIG. 7). May be displayed on the display unit 114 in a specifiable manner. Although FIG. 7 to be described later shows an example of inputting a desired rank, when only the input for one candidate designation is accepted, the route number ((1), (2) or (3)) May be specified directly. Further, the notification information output unit 102c may output the estimated arrival time included in the notification information received by the notification information receiving unit 102b via the voice output unit 116. Further, the notification information output unit 102c causes the display unit 114 to display route information other than the estimated arrival time included in the notification information transmitted from the information providing server 200, and causes the destination (client) to display the route information other than the arrival time. Alternatively, the route may be determined, that is, the estimated arrival time may be designated.

Then, the control unit 102 of the client terminal device 100-2 determines whether the estimated arrival time displayed on the display unit 114 is designated by the client via the input unit 118 (step SA-6). Here, the control unit 102 may determine whether the information specifying the route displayed on the display unit 114 is designated by the client via the input unit 118.

When the control unit 102 of the client terminal device 100-2 determines that the estimated arrival time displayed on the display unit 114 in step SA-6 is not designated by the client via the input unit 118 (step S6). SA-6: No), and moves the processing to step SA-4. Here, when the control unit 102 determines that the information specifying the route displayed on the display unit 114 is not designated by the client via the input unit 118, the control unit 102 may shift the processing to step SA-4. .. In addition, when the control unit 102 of the terminal device 100-2 determines that the estimated arrival time (information for specifying the route) displayed on the display unit 114 is not designated by the client via the input unit 118, the estimated arrival time. Information indicating that the time (information for specifying the route) is not specified may be transmitted to the information providing server 200.

On the other hand, when the control unit 102 of the terminal device 100-2 of the client determines that the estimated arrival time displayed on the display unit 114 in step SA-6 is designated by the client via the input unit 118 (step SA -6: Yes), and transmits the designation information regarding the designation to the information providing server 200 (step SA-7). Here, when the control unit 102 determines that the information identifying the route displayed on the display unit 114 is designated by the client via the input unit 118, the control unit 102 transmits designation information regarding the designation to the information providing server 200. May be.

Then, when the designation information is transmitted from the terminal device 100-2, the control unit 202 of the information providing server 200 receives the designation information (step SA-8). Here, when the information indicating that the estimated arrival time (information for specifying the route) is not specified is transmitted from the terminal device 100-2, the control unit 202 does not specify the estimated arrival time (information for specifying the route). You may receive the information to that effect.

Then, the control unit 202 of the information providing server 200 determines whether or not the designation information has been received from all or a predetermined number of terminal devices 100-2 in step SA-8 (step SA-9).

Then, when the control unit 202 of the information providing server 200 determines in step SA-9 that the designation information has not been received (step SA-9: No), the estimated arrival time not designated by the client is excluded. Condition is added to the route search condition, and the process proceeds to step SA-2.

On the other hand, when the guide route determination unit 202c of the information providing server 200 determines that the control unit 202 has received the designation information in Step SA-9 (Step SA-9: Yes), the arrival schedule based on the designation information. The route corresponding to the time is determined as the guide route (step SA-10). In this way, the guide route determination unit 202c may determine the guide route based on the designation of the presented estimated arrival time from the waypoint.

Here, with reference to FIG. 3 to FIG. 7, the courier who is the service provider is the client (A, B, C, and D) who is the client whose delivery time zone is specified from 14:00 to 16:00. An example of the information providing system according to the present embodiment, which is used when delivering information to a customer, provides route guidance to a courier, and notifies a delivery destination of an estimated arrival time. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a patrol route in the present embodiment. 4 and 5 are diagrams showing an example of the estimated arrival time designation screen in this embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the estimated arrival time confirmation screen in the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the estimated arrival time order input screen in the present embodiment.

First, as shown in FIG. 3, when a courier sets a departure place (S) and a plurality of destinations (A, B, C, and D) as route search conditions, the information providing server 200 A patrol route 1 (S-C-A-D-B) from a departure place to a destination via one or more transit points satisfying the route search condition is searched.

Then, the information providing server 200, based on the patrol route 1, the estimated arrival time 1 of each destination (route), that is, the estimated arrival time 1c (14:00), the estimated arrival time 1a (14:25), The estimated arrival time 1d (15:10) and the estimated arrival time 1b (15:30) are calculated.

Then, the information providing server 200 notifies the arrival time 1c (14:00) to the terminal device 100-2 of C, which is the first stopover point. The information providing server 200 does not have to notify the terminal devices 100-2 of the other waypoints and destinations A, B, and D. Here, in the present embodiment, the information providing server 200 is configured to notify C, which is the first stopover, of the estimated arrival time, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the notification may be sent to a specific stopover. You may For example, the information providing server 200 first notifies the delivery destination who is ready to pay the additional fee of the estimated arrival time. There is a merit of paying an additional fee to the delivery destination because the first notified point of departure or the destination can fix the time preferentially.

Then, the terminal device 100-2 of C displays the estimated arrival time designation screen for accepting the input as to whether or not C can receive the package at the estimated arrival time 1c. Here, with reference to FIG. 4, an example of an estimated arrival time designation screen for accepting an input as to whether or not C can receive the package at the estimated arrival time 1c in the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the estimated arrival time designation screen displays a notification of the estimated arrival time 1c based on the patrol route 1 and a button for accepting whether or not C can be received.

Then, when C is receivable, that is, when the designation information is transmitted from the terminal device 100-2 of C to the information providing server 200, the information providing server 200 determines that the terminal device 100 of A which is the next stopover. -2 is notified of the estimated arrival time 1a (14:25). After that, the process is repeated for D and B. Here, when the next transit point A is unreceivable, the information providing server 200 determines the estimated arrival time 1c at C, so the estimated arrival time at C 1c remains fixed, You may search for the patrol route 2 which changes the order of passage of A, B, and D.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, when C is unreceivable, that is, information indicating that the estimated arrival time notified from the terminal device 100-2 of C is not designated (reception NG) is sent to the information providing server 200. When the information is transmitted, the information providing server 200 searches a patrol route 2 (S-A-D-C-B) different from the patrol route 1 and calculates an estimated arrival time 2 based on the patrol route 2.

Then, the information providing server 200 notifies the C terminal device 100-2 of the estimated arrival time 2c (15:15). As described above, in the present embodiment, the estimated arrival time of another route is presented to C according to the response of C to the notification of the estimated arrival time, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a predetermined number of patrols are performed. The route may be searched in advance, and the estimated arrival times of a plurality of patrol routes may be presented to C at the beginning at one time so that C may specify the desired arrival time. Further, in the present embodiment, the notification of the first estimated arrival time is sent only to C, which is the first stopover point, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality (including all) stopover points and/or purposes at a time. You may notify the ground. In that case, the input (designation of the estimated arrival time) may not be accepted. Further, in the present embodiment, even when the estimated arrival time is notified to a plurality of waypoints and/or destinations at one time, the input may be accepted, and if all the waypoints are receivable, If a route is fixed and there is a waypoint that cannot be received even one, the route may be re-searched and notified again.

Then, the terminal device 100-2 of C displays the estimated arrival time designation screen for accepting an input as to whether or not C can receive the package at the estimated arrival time 2c. Here, with reference to FIG. 5, an example of an estimated arrival time designation screen for accepting an input as to whether or not C can receive the package at the estimated arrival time 2c in the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the estimated arrival time designation screen displays a notification of the estimated arrival time 2c based on the patrol route 2 and a button for accepting whether or not C can be received.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6, when C is receivable, that is, when the designation information is transmitted from the C terminal device 100-2 to the information providing server 200, the C terminal device 100-2 arrives. Display the scheduled arrival time confirmation screen to notify the confirmation of the scheduled time. Note that the subsequent processing is repeated for A, C, and B.

Then, when the information providing server 200 finishes checking the predetermined number of points, that is, when the designation information is received from the predetermined number of terminal devices 100-2, the information providing server 200 determines the guide route and shifts to the route guidance process. .. Here, the predetermined number is half of the whole (in the present embodiment, there are four delivery destinations, so there are two delivery destinations), and at the time when the designated information is received from the predetermined number of terminal devices 100-2, the guide route May be confirmed.

Further, in the present embodiment, arrival times of a plurality of routes are notified to a plurality of waypoints and/or destinations at a time, and a plurality of expected arrival times of a plurality of waypoints and/or destinations are notified. You may enter the desired ranking. Then, the information providing server 200 may calculate points for each route, and may determine the most suitable traveling route (as much as possible to meet the wishes of all points) as the guide route. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the terminal device 100-2 of C may display an estimated arrival time rank input screen for inputting desired rankings for a plurality of estimated arrival times received from the information providing server 200.

Returning to FIG. 2, the route information transmitting unit 202d of the information providing server 200, the route information regarding the guide route determined by the guide route determining unit 202c, and the map information regarding the map including the guide route stored in the map information database 206d. Is transmitted to the terminal device 100-1 (step SA-11). Here, the route information transmitting unit 202d may further transmit the guide information (display guide information, voice guide information, etc.) stored in the guide information database 206e and output on the guide route to the terminal device 100. ..

Then, the route information receiving unit 102d of the terminal device 100-1 of the service provider receives the route information and the map information transmitted from the information providing server 200 (step SA-12). Here, the route information receiving unit 102d may further receive the guidance information transmitted from the information providing server 200. The route information receiving unit 102d may further store the received information in the output information file 106a. Here, when the existing reception information is stored in the output information file 106a, the route information receiving unit 102d may overwrite the existing reception information with the newly set reception information and store it.

Then, the current position information acquisition unit 102a of the terminal device 100-1 of the service provider acquires the current position information of the terminal device 100-1 and transmits the current position information to the information providing server 200 (step SA-13). ).

Then, the route guidance unit 102e of the terminal device 100-1 of the service provider, on the map information stored in the output information file 106a, the route information stored in the output information file 106a and the current position information acquisition unit 102a. The route guidance is executed by superimposing the current position information of the terminal device 100-1 acquired by the above on the display unit 114 (step SA-14). Here, the route guidance unit 102e may start the route guidance when the service provider inputs a route guidance start request via the input unit 118. Further, the route guidance unit 102e may cause the display unit 114 to display the display guidance information corresponding to the guidance route stored in the output information file 106a. In addition, the route guidance unit 102e may output voice information corresponding to the display (voice guidance information or the like stored in the output information file 106a) via the voice output unit 116. The route guidance may be continuously executed in parallel while the processes of steps SA-13 to SA-20 are executed.

Then, the control unit 202 of the information providing server 200 receives the current position information of the terminal device 100-1 transmitted from the terminal device 100-1, and stores the current position information in the real-time information database 206c (step SA- 15). Here, when the current position information of the existing terminal device 100-1 is stored in the real-time information database 206c, the control unit 202 overwrites the existing current position information with the newly set current position information. May be stored.

Then, the current estimated arrival time calculation unit 202e of the information providing server 200, route information regarding the route from the service provider to the destination, the current traffic information stored in the real-time information database 206c, and The estimated arrival time at the present time is calculated based on the real-time information including the current position information of the terminal device 100-1 (step SA-16).

Then, the notification information generation unit 202b of the information providing server 200 generates the notification information for at least including the estimated arrival time at the present time calculated by the estimated arrival time calculation unit 202e for notifying the client, The notification information is transmitted to the terminal device 100-2 (step SA-17). Here, the notification information generating unit 202b may notify the client (route point) when the estimated arrival time is changed due to the movement of the service provider or the change of the real-time information during route guidance. Further, the notification information may include information that the estimated arrival time is advanced, delayed, or does not change together with the estimated arrival time when the estimated arrival time is changed by real-time information or the like.

Then, the notification information receiving unit 102b of the client terminal device 100-2 receives the notification information transmitted from the information providing server 200 (step SA-18). Here, the notification information receiving unit 102b may further store the notification information in the output information file 106a. Here, when the existing notification information is stored in the output information file 106a, the notification information receiving unit 102b may overwrite the existing notification information with the received notification information and store it.

Then, the notification information output unit 102c of the terminal device 100-2 of the client causes the display unit 114 to display the current estimated arrival time included in the notification information received by the notification information receiving unit 102b (step SA-19). .. Here, the notification information output unit 102c may output the estimated arrival time at the present time included in the notification information received by the notification information receiving unit 102b via the voice output unit 116.

Then, the control unit 102 of the terminal device 100-1 of the service provider determines that the current position of the terminal device 100-1 based on the current position information acquired by the current position information acquisition unit 102a in step SA-14 is the destination. It is determined whether or not the following (step SA-20).

When the control unit 102 of the terminal device 100-1 of the service provider determines in step SA-20 that the current position of the terminal device 100-1 does not match the destination (step SA-20: No). , And shifts the processing to step SA-13.

On the other hand, when the control unit 102 of the terminal device 100-1 of the service provider determines in step SA-20 that the current position of the terminal device 100-1 matches the destination (step SA-20: Yes), The process ends.

This is the end of the description of an example of the process of the information providing system according to the first embodiment.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, an information providing system (server initiative type) according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. Here, FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information providing server 200 in the second embodiment, and conceptually shows only the portion related to the present invention in the configuration.

In the information providing system according to the second embodiment, the information providing server 200 generates data to be displayed on the display unit 114 of the terminal device 100, and transmits the data to the terminal device 100, so that the terminal The display unit 114 of the device 100 is functioning. As described above, the second embodiment is different from the other embodiments in that the information providing server 200 performs the processing on the initiative of the server.

[Configuration of information providing server 200]
First, an example of the configuration of the information providing server 200 according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8, the information providing server 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes at least a position acquisition unit 112, an output unit (display unit 114 and voice output unit 116), an input unit 118, and a control unit 102. It is communicably connected to the provided terminal device 100 and includes at least a control unit 202 and a storage unit 206. The communication includes, for example, remote communication such as wired/wireless communication via the network 300. Further, the respective units of the information providing server 200 and the terminal device 100 are communicably connected via an arbitrary communication path.

In FIG. 8, the information providing server 200 searches a route from a departure place to a destination using network information, calculates an estimated arrival time at the destination, generates display information including the estimated arrival time, and displays A function of displaying the display information on the display unit 114 of the terminal device 100 by transmitting output control information including the information to the terminal device 100, and calculating the estimated arrival time at the present time by using the real-time information. Have.

The functions of the communication control interface unit 204 and the storage unit 206 (network information database 206a, traffic information database 206b, real-time information database 206c, map information database 206d, guide information database 206e, etc.) in the information providing server 200, and The functions of the position acquisition unit 112, the display unit 114, the voice output unit 116, and the input unit 118 in the terminal device 100 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

Further, in FIG. 8, the control unit 202 has a control program such as an OS, a program that defines various processing procedures, and an internal memory for storing required data. Then, the control unit 202 performs information processing for executing various processes by using these programs and the like. The control unit 202 is functionally conceptually a route information acquisition unit 202a, a notification information generation unit 202b, a guidance route determination unit 202c, a current estimated arrival time calculation unit 202e, a current position information acquisition unit 202f, a display information generation unit 202g, and , An output control unit 202h. Note that the functions of the route information acquisition unit 202a, the notification information generation unit 202b, the guidance route determination unit 202c, and the current estimated arrival time calculation unit 202e are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

Of these, the current position information acquisition unit 202f is a current position information acquisition unit that acquires the current position information of the user of the terminal device 100. Here, the current position information acquisition unit 202f may acquire the current position information of the user of the terminal device 100 at predetermined time intervals (for example, every one second or every three minutes), that is, at a predetermined cycle. Good. The current position information acquisition unit 202f receives the position information signal received from the position transmission device 500 by the position acquisition unit 112 of the terminal device 100 from the terminal device 100, and the position information calculated from the position information signal is transmitted to the terminal device. It may be acquired as the current position information of 100 users. The current position information acquisition unit 202f receives position information such as position coordinates about the current position input by the user via the input unit 118 of the terminal device 100, and the position information is received by the user of the terminal device 100. It may be acquired as the current position information of.

The display information generation unit 202g is a display information generation unit that generates display information. Here, the display information includes the notification information including at least the estimated arrival time for notifying the user associated with the destination different from the user who receives the route guidance generated by the notification information generation unit 202b. Good. Further, the display information may include the route information generated by the route information acquisition unit 202a. Further, the display information may include the map information stored in the map information database 206d and/or the display guidance information stored in the guidance information database 206e. Further, the display information may include current position information of the user of the terminal device 100. Further, the display information may include display information (input screen) for inputting route search conditions. The display information generation unit 202g may also acquire the input screen stored in the storage unit 206 in advance. Here, the display information may be information displayed on the display unit 114 of the terminal device 100 (for example, an image, character information, or a display screen).

The output control unit 202h is an output control unit that outputs the output control information including the display information to the terminal device 100 to output the output control information via the output unit of the terminal device 100. Here, the output control unit 202h may display the display information on the display unit 114 of the terminal device 100 by transmitting the output control information including the display information to the terminal device 100. In addition, the output control unit 202h transmits the output control information including the display information to the terminal device 100 so that the route search condition included in the display information can be input via the input unit 118 of the terminal device 100. It may be displayed on the display unit 114 of the terminal device 100. In addition, the output control unit 202h transmits the output control information including the display information to the terminal device 100 when the route guidance start request is input via the input unit 118 of the terminal device 100, thereby displaying the display information. The route guidance may be executed by displaying it on the display unit 114 of the terminal device 100. In addition, the output control unit 202h further transmits output control information including voice information corresponding to the display information (for example, voice guidance information stored in the guidance information database 206e) to the terminal device 100, so that the voice The voice guidance may be executed by outputting information via the voice output unit 116 of the terminal device 100.

This is the end of the description of an example of the configuration of the information providing server 200 according to the second embodiment.

[Processing of information provision system (server initiative)]
Next, an example of the processing of the information providing system according to the second embodiment configured as described above will be described below with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the information providing system in the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9, first, the display information generation unit 202g of the information providing server 200 inputs a route search condition including conditions regarding a departure place, a plurality of destinations, and a departure time (for example, current time). To generate the input screen (step SB-1). Here, the display information generation unit 202g may acquire the input screen stored in the storage unit 206 in advance.

Then, the output control unit 202h of the information providing server 200 transmits the output control information including the input screen generated by the display information generation unit 202g to the terminal device 100-1, thereby causing the input screen to be displayed. No. 1 is displayed on the display unit 114 (step SB-2).

When the user inputs the route search condition via the input unit 118, the control unit 102 of the terminal device 100-1 of the user (service provider) who receives the route guidance sets the route search condition to the information providing server. 200 (step SB-3).

Then, the route information acquisition unit 202a of the information providing server 200 receives the route search condition transmitted from the terminal device 100-1, and from the departure point via the one or more transit points satisfying the route search condition to the destination. The roundabout route, which is the route up to, is searched using the network information stored in the network information database 206a based on the traffic information stored in the traffic information database 206b, and the estimated arrival time at the stopover and the destination. Route information relating to the route including is generated (step SB-4). Here, the route information acquisition unit 202a searches for a plurality of routes from the starting point to the destination using the network information stored in the network information database 206a based on the traffic information stored in the traffic information database 206b. The route information regarding the route including the estimated arrival time at the destination may be generated. In addition, the route information acquisition unit 202a, based on the traffic information stored in the traffic information database 206b, the patrol route, which is the route from the departure point to the destination via one or more transit points, based on the traffic information stored in the traffic information database 206b. A plurality of searches may be performed using the network information stored in, and the route information regarding the route including the estimated arrival time at the via point and the destination may be generated.

Then, the notification information generation unit 202b of the information providing server 200 notifies at least the estimated arrival time calculated by the route information acquisition unit 202a to notify the user (client) associated with the destination different from the service provider. The notification information including is generated (step SB-5).

Then, the display information generation unit 202g of the information providing server 200 generates display information including the notification information generated by the notification information generation unit 202b (step SB-6).

Then, the output control unit 202h of the information providing server 200 transmits the output control information including the display information generated by the display information generation unit 202g to the terminal device 100-2 in step SB-6, thereby displaying the display information. The estimated arrival time included in is designatedly displayed on the display unit 114 of the terminal device 100-2 (step SB-7). Here, the output control unit 202h transmits the output control information including the display information generated by the display information generation unit 202g to the terminal device 100-2, and thereby the information for specifying the route included in the display information is concerned. You may make it display on the display part 114 of the terminal device 100-2 so that designation is possible.

Then, the control unit 102 of the client terminal device 100-2 determines whether the estimated arrival time displayed on the display unit 114 is designated by the client via the input unit 118 (step SB-8). Here, the control unit 102 may determine whether the information specifying the route displayed on the display unit 114 is designated by the client via the input unit 118.

When the control unit 102 of the client terminal device 100-2 determines that the estimated arrival time displayed on the display unit 114 in step SB-8 is not designated by the client via the input unit 118 (step S8). SB-8: No), and shifts the processing to Step SB-7. Here, when the control unit 102 determines that the information specifying the route displayed on the display unit 114 is not designated by the client via the input unit 118, the control unit 102 may shift the process to step SB-7. .. In addition, when the control unit 102 of the terminal device 100-2 determines that the estimated arrival time (information for specifying the route) displayed on the display unit 114 is not designated by the client via the input unit 118, the estimated arrival time. Information indicating that the time (information for specifying the route) is not specified may be transmitted to the information providing server 200.

On the other hand, when the control unit 102 of the client terminal device 100-2 determines that the estimated arrival time displayed on the display unit 114 in step SB-8 is designated by the client via the input unit 118 (step SB). -8: Yes), and transmits the designation signal corresponding to the designation to the information providing server 200 (step SB-9). Here, when the control unit 102 determines that the information identifying the route displayed on the display unit 114 is designated by the client via the input unit 118, the control unit 102 sends a designation signal corresponding to the designation to the information providing server 200. You may send it. Further, the designation signal may be an input signal by a tap or the like on the display unit 114 such as a touch panel.

Then, when the designation signal is transmitted from the terminal device 100-2, the control unit 202 of the information providing server 200 receives the designation signal (step SB-10). Here, when the information indicating that the estimated arrival time (information for specifying the route) is not specified is transmitted from the terminal device 100-2, the control unit 202 does not specify the estimated arrival time (information for specifying the route). You may receive the information to that effect.

Then, the control unit 202 of the information providing server 200 determines whether or not the designation signals have been received from all or a predetermined number of terminal devices 100-2 in step SB-10 (step SB-11).

Then, when the control unit 202 of the information providing server 200 determines that the designation signal has not been received in step SB-11 (step SB-11: No), the estimated arrival time not designated by the client is excluded. Condition is added to the route search condition, and the process proceeds to step SB-4.

On the other hand, when the guide route determination unit 202c of the information providing server 200 determines that the control signal has been received by the control unit 202 in step SB-11 (step SB-11: Yes), the scheduled arrival based on the control signal. The route corresponding to the time is determined as the guide route (step SB-12).

Then, the control unit 102 of the terminal device 100-1 of the service provider periodically transmits the position information signal received from the position transmitting device 500 by the position acquisition unit 112 to the information providing server 200 (step SB-13). ..

Then, the current position information acquisition unit 202f of the information providing server 200 receives the position information signal transmitted from the terminal device 100-1, calculates position information from the position information signal, and outputs the position information to the terminal device 100-. The current position information is stored in the real-time information database 206c (step SB-14). Here, if the current position information of the existing terminal device 100-1 is stored in the real-time information database 206c, the current position information acquisition unit 202f replaces the newly set current position information with the existing current position information. It may be overwritten and stored.

Then, the display information generating unit 202g of the information providing server 200, on the map information regarding the map including the guide route stored in the map information database 206d, the route information regarding the guide route determined by the guide route determining unit 202c, and Display information on which the current position information of the terminal device 100-1 acquired by the current position information acquisition unit 202f is superimposed is generated (step SB-15). Here, the display information may further include display guide information stored on the guide information database 206e and output on the guide route.

Then, the output control unit 202h of the information providing server 200 transmits the output control information including the display information generated by the display information generation unit 202g in step SB-15 to the terminal device 100-1, thereby displaying the display information. Is displayed on the display unit 114 of the terminal device 100-1 to execute route guidance (step SB-16). Here, the output control unit 202h may start route guidance when the service provider inputs a route guidance start request via the input unit 118 of the terminal device 100-1. Further, the output control unit 202h further transmits output control information including voice information corresponding to the display information (for example, voice guidance information stored in the guidance information database 206e) to the terminal device 100-1, The voice guidance may be executed by outputting the voice information via the voice output unit 116 of the terminal device 100-1. The route guidance may be continuously executed in parallel while the processes of steps SB-13 to SB-21 are executed.

Then, the current estimated arrival time calculating unit 202e of the information providing server 200, route information regarding the route from the service provider to the destination, the current traffic information stored in the real-time information database 206c, and The estimated arrival time at the present time is calculated based on the real-time information including the current position information of the terminal device 100-1 (step SB-17).

Then, the notification information generation unit 202b of the information providing server 200 generates the notification information for notifying the client, which includes at least the estimated arrival time at the present time calculated by the estimated arrival time calculation unit 202e (step). SB-18). Here, the notification information generation unit 202b generates notification information to notify the client (route point) when the estimated arrival time changes due to movement of the service provider or change in real-time information during route guidance. May be.

Then, the display information generating unit 202g of the information providing server 200 generates the display information including the notification information generated by the notification information generating unit 202b (step SB-19).

Then, the output control unit 202h of the information providing server 200 transmits the output control information including the display information generated by the display information generation unit 202g to the terminal device 100-2 in step SB-19, thereby displaying the display information. Is displayed on the display unit 114 of the terminal device 100-2 (step SB-20).

Then, the control unit 202 of the information providing server 200 determines whether or not the current position of the terminal device 100-1 based on the current position information acquired by the current position information acquisition unit 202f in step SB-14 matches the destination. It is determined (step SB-21).

Then, when the control unit 202 of the information providing server 200 determines in step SB-21 that the current position of the terminal device 100-1 does not match the destination (step SB-21: No), the process is performed in step SB. Move to -14.

On the other hand, when the control unit 202 of the information providing server 200 determines that the current position of the terminal device 100-1 matches the destination in SB-21 (step SB-21: No), the processing is performed. To finish.

This is the end of the description of an example of the process of the information providing system according to the second embodiment.

[Other Embodiments]
Now, the embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but may be implemented in various different embodiments within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. It may be implemented.

Further, of the processes described in the embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being automatically performed may be manually performed, or the processes described as manually performed may be performed. All or part of the process can be automatically performed by a known method.

In addition, unless otherwise specified, the processing procedures, control procedures, specific names, information including parameters such as registration data and search conditions of each processing, screen examples, and database configuration shown in the above documents and drawings are excluded. Can be changed arbitrarily.

Further, regarding the terminal device 100 and the information providing server 200, the respective constituent elements shown in the drawings are functionally conceptual and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as illustrated.

For example, the processing functions provided in the terminal device 100 and each device of the information providing server 200, particularly the processing functions performed by the control unit 102 and the control unit 202, may be entirely or partly replaced by the CPU. It may be realized by (Central Processing Unit) and a program interpreted and executed by the CPU, or may be realized as hardware by a wired logic. Note that the program is recorded on a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium that contains programmed instructions for causing a computer to execute the method according to the present invention, which will be described later, and the terminal device 100 may be used as necessary. , And the information providing server 200 mechanically read. That is, the storage unit 106 such as the ROM or the HDD, the storage unit 206, and the like store computer programs for giving instructions to the CPU in cooperation with the OS (Operating System) and performing various processes. This computer program is executed by being loaded in the RAM, and constitutes a control unit in cooperation with the CPU.

Further, this computer program may be stored in the terminal device 100 and an application program server connected to the information providing server 200 via an arbitrary network 300, and all or a part thereof may be stored as necessary. It is also possible to download.

Further, the program according to the present invention may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium, or may be configured as a program product. Here, the "recording medium" means a memory card, a USB memory, an SD card, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM (registered trademark), a CD-ROM, an MO, a DVD, and a Blu-ray. (Registered trademark) It includes any "portable physical medium" such as Disc.

The "program" is a data processing method described in any language or description method, and may be in any format such as source code or binary code. Note that the “program” is not necessarily limited to a single configuration, and may be configured in a distributed manner as a plurality of modules or libraries, or in cooperation with a separate program represented by an OS (Operating System). Including those that achieve the function. Note that known configurations and procedures can be used for a specific configuration for reading the recording medium in each device described in the embodiments, a reading procedure, an installation procedure after reading, and the like.

Storage unit 106 and various databases stored in storage unit 206 (output information file 106a, network information database 206a, traffic information database 206b, real-time information database 206c, map information database 206d, and guidance information database 206e) Is a storage device such as a memory device such as RAM and ROM, a fixed disk device such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, and an optical disk, and various programs used for various processes and website provision, tables, databases, and web pages. Stores files for business use.

Further, the terminal device 100 and the information providing server 200 may be configured as an information processing device such as a known personal computer or workstation, or may be configured by connecting any peripheral device to the information processing device. May be. Further, the terminal device 100 and the information providing server 200 may be realized by installing software (including programs, data, etc.) for realizing the method of the present invention in the information processing device.

Further, the specific form of device dispersion/integration is not limited to that shown in the drawings, and all or part of the device may be functionally or physically united in arbitrary units according to various additions or functional loads. Can be distributed and integrated. That is, the above-described embodiments may be implemented in any combination, or the embodiments may be selectively implemented.

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, an information providing system, an information providing method, and a program that can always notify accurate latest information by using real-time information, even when the estimated arrival time does not change. Therefore, it is extremely useful in various fields such as information equipment and information processing fields that support navigation.

100 terminal device 102 control unit 102a current position information acquisition unit 102b notification information reception unit 102c notification information output unit 102d route information reception unit 102e route guidance unit 104 communication control interface unit 106 storage unit 106a output information file 108 input/output control interface unit 112 Position acquisition unit 114 Display unit 116 Voice output unit 118 Input unit 200 Information provision server 202 Control unit 202a Route information acquisition unit 202b Notification information generation unit 202c Guided route determination unit 202d Route information transmission unit 202e Current estimated arrival time calculation unit 202f Current position Information acquisition unit 202g Display information generation unit 202h Output control unit 204 Communication control interface unit 206 Storage unit 206a Network information database 206b Traffic information database 206c Real-time information database 206d Map information database 206e Guidance information database 300 Network 500 Position transmission device

Claims (5)

Real-time information storage means for storing real-time information that is traffic information at the present time,
The arrival schedule of the user receiving the route guidance at each of the destinations based on the route information about the traveling route from the departure point of the user receiving the route guidance to the plurality of destinations and the real-time information. A current estimated arrival time calculating means for calculating the time,
Notification information generating means for generating notification information including at least the estimated arrival time for notifying a user associated with the destination different from the user receiving the route guidance,
Notification information output means for selectively displaying to the user associated with the destination whether or not the estimated arrival time at the destination included in the notification information can be handled,
Equipped with
The notification information output means is
When the user associated with the destination selects the input that the estimated arrival time at the destination is available, the notification information is sent to the users associated with the other destinations on the patrol route. The information providing system, wherein an input as to whether or not it is possible to correspond to the estimated arrival time at the other destination included in the above is selectably displayed . The information providing system according to claim 1, wherein
The notification information output means is
Further, when the user related to the destination selects the input that the estimated arrival time at the destination is not available, the user who receives the route guidance travels from the departure place to the plurality of destinations. The notification information including the estimated time of arrival at the destination of the user who receives the route guidance based on the alternative patrol route different from the patrol route is notified to the user related to the destination. , Information provision system. An information providing system in which an information providing server, a terminal device owned by a user who receives route guidance, and a terminal device owned by a user who is associated with a destination of the user who receives the route guidance are communicatively connected,
The above information providing server is,
Real-time information storage means for storing real-time information that is traffic information at the present time,
Equipped with
The above information providing server is,
In each of the destinations of the user who receives the route guidance at the present time, based on the route information regarding the traveling route that goes around the plurality of destinations from the departure point of the user who receives the route guidance and the real-time information. Current estimated arrival time calculation means for calculating estimated arrival time,
Equipped with
The above information providing server is,
Notification information generating means for generating notification information including at least the estimated arrival time for notifying the user associated with the destination,
Equipped with
The terminal device possessed by the user associated with the destination is
Notification information output means for selectively displaying an input as to whether or not the estimated arrival time at the destination included in the notification information can be handled,
Equipped with
The terminal device possessed by the other user associated with the other destination of the tour route,
When the user associated with the destination selects the input that the estimated arrival time at the destination can be handled, the user at the other destination included in the notification information is notified to the other user. Other notification information output means for selectively displaying the input of whether or not it is possible to correspond to the estimated arrival time,
An information providing system characterized by comprising: An information providing method executed in an information providing system including real-time information storage means for storing real-time information, which is traffic information at the present time,
The arrival schedule of the user who receives the route guidance at the current point in time based on the route information regarding the tour route from the departure point of the user who receives the route guidance to the plurality of destinations and the real-time information. A current estimated arrival time calculating step for calculating the time,
A notification information generating step of generating notification information including at least the estimated arrival time for notifying a user associated with the destination different from the user receiving the route guidance,
A notification information output step for selectively displaying to the user associated with the destination whether or not the estimated arrival time at the destination included in the notification information can be supported,
Only including,
In the above notification information output step,
When the user associated with the destination selects the input that the estimated arrival time at the destination is available, the notification information is sent to the users associated with the other destinations on the patrol route. The information providing method, characterized in that an input as to whether or not the estimated arrival time at the other destination included in is applicable is selectably displayed . Computer,
Based on the route information about the patrol route from the departure point of the user who receives the route guidance to the plurality of destinations and the real-time information that is the traffic information at the present time, A current estimated arrival time calculating means for calculating an estimated arrival time at each destination,
Notification information generating means for generating notification information including at least the estimated arrival time for notifying a user associated with the destination different from the user receiving the route guidance,
Notification information output means for selectively displaying to the user associated with the destination whether or not the estimated arrival time at the destination included in the notification information can be handled,
To function as,
The notification information output means is
When the user associated with the destination selects the input that the estimated arrival time at the destination is available, the notification information is sent to the users associated with the other destinations on the patrol route. the other possible corresponding to the estimated time of arrival at the destination select whether or not to be able to display to order the program the input that is included in the.

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