JP7121405B2 - Information processing system, information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program.

Conventionally, techniques for performing route guidance in consideration of the degree of congestion have been disclosed.

For example, the optimum route search device described in Patent Document 1 searches for a boarding vehicle with a low degree of congestion, and finds a route within the station that allows easy movement to the boarding vehicle using an elevator or an escalator. Techniques for searching with consideration of degree are disclosed.

JP 2006-244069 A

However, in the conventional optimum route search device described in Patent Document 1, the transfer route is automatically selected based on the congestion data, so the user cannot grasp the degree of congestion of the preceding and following trains. There was a problem that it was not possible to select a transfer route with In addition, in the conventional optimum route search device, the congestion data that the user can refer to in advance is data for each train, so it is not possible to know what kind of congestion rate each calculated transfer route is composed of. had a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. By searching for a plurality of less congested transfer routes at once, the result closest to the user's desire is displayed, and the result closest to the user's desire is selected. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing system capable of

In order to achieve such an object, the navigation device of the present invention comprises at least a display section, a control section, and a storage section, wherein the storage section stores network information defining a traffic network. network information storage means; and congestion information storage means for storing congestion information relating to traffic congestion, wherein the control unit stores the departure time of the transportation, the departure and stop point of the transportation, and the purpose of the transportation. a transfer search condition obtaining means for obtaining a transfer search condition including a stop point; route search means for searching for a transfer route of the transportation system from the point to the destination stop point using the network information stored in the network information storage means, and generating route information regarding the transfer route; congestion information acquisition means for acquiring, from the congestion information storage means, the congestion information relating to the congestion of the transportation means on the transfer route searched by the search means; the route information generated by the route search means; and the congestion. route guidance information display means for causing the display unit to display route guidance information including the congestion information acquired by the information acquisition means.

Further, in the navigation device of the present invention, the congestion information includes the congestion rate of the transportation means, and the congestion information acquisition means obtains the congestion rate for each boarding section included in the transfer route. from the congestion information storage means, and the route guidance information display means is based on the route information generated by the route search means and the congestion rate for each boarding section acquired by the congestion information acquisition means The route guidance information associated with the index information is displayed on the display unit.

Further, in the navigation device of the present invention, the congestion information includes a congestion rate of the transportation system, and the congestion information acquisition means obtains information between stop points of the transportation system included in the transfer route. and the route guidance information display means adds the congestion rate to the route information for each boarding section included in the transfer route generated by the route search means. The route guidance information in which the index information based on the congestion rate between the stop points acquired by means is arranged is displayed on the display unit.

Further, in the navigation device of the present invention, the congestion information acquisition means further obtains the congestion rate between each stop point of the transportation system included in the boarding section from the congestion information storage means. The route guidance information display means further includes the route information for each boarding section generated by the route search means and the congestion rate for each stop point acquired by the congestion information acquisition means. and the route guidance information associated with the index information based on the route guidance information is displayed on the display unit.

Further, in the navigation device of the present invention, in the navigation device described above, the route guidance information display means further includes the route information for each boarding section generated by the route search means and the congestion information acquisition means. The route guidance information associated with the obtained index information based on the congestion rate for each boarding section is displayed on the display unit.

Further, in the navigation device of the present invention, the congestion information includes a congestion rate of the transportation system, and the congestion information acquisition means obtains information between stop points of the transportation system included in the transfer route. The route guidance information display means displays the transfer route based on the route information generated by the route search means as the vertical axis and the predetermined time period as the horizontal axis. The route guidance information is displayed on the display unit, in which index information based on the congestion rate between the stop points acquired by the congestion information acquisition means is displayed on the graph as an axis.

Further, in the navigation device of the present invention, the congestion information includes a congestion rate of the transportation system, and the congestion information acquisition means obtains information between stop points of the transportation system included in the transfer route. The congestion rate for each vehicle is obtained from the congestion information storage means, and the route guidance information display means uses the transfer route based on the route information generated by the route search means as the vertical axis, and displays the vehicle number is displayed on the display section as indicator information based on the congestion rate of each vehicle acquired by the congestion information acquiring means.

Further, the navigation apparatus of the present invention is the navigation apparatus described above, wherein the congestion information includes the congestion rate of the transportation means, and the congestion information acquiring means stores the congestion rate for each transfer route in the congestion information storage. means, and when the route searching means searches for a plurality of different transfer routes, the control unit compares the congestion rates between the plurality of different transfer routes obtained by the congestion information obtaining means. A comparison means is further provided, and the route guidance information display means further comprises, based on the comparison by the comparison means, when there is the transfer route having a lower congestion rate than the transfer route based on the route information to be displayed, The present invention is characterized in that notification information to the effect that there is another transfer route with a low congestion rate is displayed on the display unit.

Further, in the navigation device of the present invention, in the navigation device described above, the route guidance information display means displays the route information and the congestion information when a plurality of different transfer routes are searched by the route search means. is displayed on the display unit as a tab for each transfer route.

Further, the navigation system of the present invention comprises: network information storage means for storing network information defining a transportation network; congestion information storage means for storing congestion information relating to traffic congestion; a transfer search condition acquisition means for acquiring transfer search conditions including a departure stop point of the vehicle and a destination stop point of the transportation system; using the network information stored in the network information storage means, searching for a transfer route of the transportation system from the departure stop point to the destination stop point, which departs in a predetermined time period including route search means for generating information; congestion information acquisition means for acquiring from the congestion information storage means the congestion information relating to the congestion of the transportation on the transfer route searched by the route search means; and the route search means. route guidance information display means for causing a display unit to display route guidance information including the route information generated by the congestion information acquisition means and the congestion information acquired by the congestion information acquisition means.

Further, a navigation system of the present invention is a navigation system in which a navigation server having at least a control unit and a storage unit and a terminal device having at least a display unit and a control unit are communicably connected to each other, The storage unit of the navigation server includes network information storage means for storing network information defining a transportation network, and congestion information storage means for storing congestion information relating to traffic congestion, and the control unit of the navigation server. route search request receiving means for receiving a route search request transmitted from the terminal device; and based on the route search request received by the route search request receiving means, the departure time of the transportation facility and the time of the transportation facility; a transfer search condition obtaining means for obtaining transfer search conditions including a departure stop point and a destination stop point of the transportation system; Using the network information stored in the network information storage means, a transfer route of the means of transportation from the starting stop point to the destination stop point, which departs in the time zone, is searched, and route information about the transfer route is obtained. route search means for generating; congestion information acquisition means for acquiring from the congestion information storage means the congestion information relating to the congestion of the transportation on the transfer route searched by the route search means; and generation by the route search means. route guidance information transmitting means for transmitting to the terminal device route guidance information including the route information obtained by the route information acquired by the congestion information acquiring means and the congestion information acquired by the congestion information acquiring means; route guidance information receiving means for receiving the route guidance information transmitted from the navigation server; and route guidance information display means for displaying the route guidance information received by the route guidance information receiving means on the display unit; , is provided.

A navigation server of the present invention is a navigation server comprising at least a control unit and a storage unit communicably connected to a terminal device comprising at least a display unit, wherein the storage unit defines a transportation network. and a congestion information storage means for storing congestion information related to traffic congestion, wherein the control unit stores a route search request transmitted from the terminal device. a search request receiving means; and based on the route search request received by the route search request receiving means, a transfer search including the departure time of the transportation system, the starting stop point of the transportation system, and the destination stop point of the transportation system. a transfer search condition acquiring means for acquiring a condition; and from the departure stop point to the destination stop point departing in a predetermined time period including the departure time included in the transfer search condition acquired by the transfer search condition acquiring means. a route search means for searching for the transfer route of the transportation system using the network information stored in the network information storage means, and generating route information regarding the transfer route; congestion information acquisition means for acquiring the congestion information relating to the congestion of the transportation means on the transfer route from the congestion information storage means; the route information generated by the route search means; and the congestion information acquired by the congestion information acquisition means. Display information generating means for generating display information including route guidance information including the congestion information; and output control means for displaying on the display unit.

Further, the navigation method of the present invention is a navigation method executed in a navigation device having at least a display section, a control section, and a storage section, wherein the storage section stores network information defining a traffic network. Information storage means, and congestion information storage means for storing congestion information relating to traffic congestion, and the departure time of the transportation facility, the departure/stop point of the transportation facility, and the transportation facility, which are executed by the control unit. a transfer search condition obtaining step for obtaining a transfer search condition including the target stop point of the transfer search condition acquisition step; a route search step of searching for a transfer route of the transportation system from the departure stop point to the destination stop point using the network information stored in the network information storage means, and generating route information on the transfer route; a congestion information obtaining step of obtaining, from the congestion information storage means, the congestion information relating to the congestion of the transportation means on the transfer route searched in the route searching step; and the route generated in the route searching step. and a route guidance information display step of causing the display unit to display route guidance information including the information and the congestion information acquired in the congestion information acquisition step.

Also, the navigation method of the present invention is a navigation method executed in a navigation system, wherein the navigation system includes network information storage means for storing network information defining a traffic network, and congestion information about traffic jams. congestion information storage means for storing; transfer search condition acquisition means; route search means; congestion information acquisition means; a transfer search condition obtaining step for obtaining transfer search conditions including a departure stop point of the transportation system and a destination stop point of the transportation system; The network information stored in the network information storage means is used to determine the transfer route of the transportation system from the departure stop point to the destination stop point, which departs in a predetermined time period including the departure time included in the transfer search condition. a route search step for generating route information about the transfer route using a route search step; a congestion information obtaining step for obtaining from the congestion information storage means; and a route guidance information display means for displaying the route information generated in the route searching step and the congestion information obtained in the congestion information obtaining step. and a route guidance information display step of causing the display unit to display the route guidance information including .

Further, the navigation method of the present invention provides navigation executed in a navigation system in which a navigation server having at least a control section and a storage section and a terminal device having at least a display section and a control section are communicably connected to each other. A method, wherein the storage unit of the navigation server includes network information storage means for storing network information defining a transportation network, and congestion information storage means for storing congestion information relating to traffic congestion, a route search request receiving step of receiving a route search request transmitted from the terminal device, executed in the control unit of the navigation server; and the route search request receiving step executed in the control unit of the navigation server. a transfer search condition obtaining step for obtaining transfer search conditions including the departure time of the transportation facility, the departure stop point of the transportation facility, and the destination stop point of the transportation facility, based on the route search request received by the Departure from the departure stop point to the destination stop point during a predetermined time zone including the departure time included in the transfer search condition acquired in the transfer search condition acquisition step executed by the control unit of the navigation server. a route search step of searching for a transfer route of the transportation system to using the network information stored in the network information storage means, and generating route information related to the transfer route; and in the control unit of the navigation server a congestion information acquisition step of acquiring, from the congestion information storage means, the congestion information relating to the congestion of the transportation system on the transfer route searched in the route search step; route guidance information transmitting step of transmitting route guidance information including the route information generated in the route searching step and the congestion information acquired in the congestion information acquiring step to the terminal device; a route guidance information receiving step of receiving the route guidance information transmitted from the navigation server, executed by the control unit of the terminal device; and the route guidance executed by the control unit of the terminal device. and a route guidance information display step of causing the display unit to display the route guidance information received in the information receiving step.

Further, a navigation method of the present invention is a navigation method executed in a navigation server comprising at least a control unit and a storage unit communicably connected to a terminal device comprising at least a display unit, wherein the storage unit comprises network information storage means for storing network information defining a transportation network, and congestion information storage means for storing congestion information relating to congestion of transportation means, and is executed by the control unit and transmitted from the terminal device a route search request receiving step for receiving a route search request received in the route search request receiving step; and based on the route search request received in the route search request receiving step, determining the departure time of the transportation facility, the departure stop point of the transportation facility, and the transportation a transfer search condition obtaining step for obtaining transfer search conditions including a target stopping point of the engine; a route search step of searching for a transfer route of the means of transportation from the departure stop point to the destination stop point using the network information stored in the network information storage means, and generating route information on the transfer route; a congestion information obtaining step of obtaining, from the congestion information storage means, the congestion information relating to the congestion of the transportation system on the transfer route searched in the route searching step; a display information generating step of generating display information including route guidance information including route information and the congestion information obtained in the congestion information obtaining step; and output control information including the display information to the terminal device. and an output control step of displaying the output control information on the display unit of the terminal device by transmitting the output control information.

Further, a program of the present invention is a program to be executed by a navigation device having at least a display unit, a control unit, and a storage unit, wherein the storage unit stores network information defining a transportation network. storage means, and congestion information storage means for storing congestion information relating to traffic congestion, wherein the control unit stores the departure time of the transportation, the departure stop point of the transportation, and the destination stop of the transportation. and a transfer search condition acquisition step for acquiring a transfer search condition including the above departure and stop point that departs in a predetermined time period including the departure time included in the transfer search condition acquired in the transfer search condition acquisition step. a route search step of searching for a transfer route of the transportation system from the destination stop point to the destination stop point using the network information stored in the network information storage means, and generating route information related to the transfer route; a congestion information obtaining step of obtaining, from the congestion information storage means, the congestion information relating to the congestion of the transportation means on the transfer route searched in the step; the route information generated in the route searching step; and a route guidance information display step of causing the display unit to display route guidance information including the congestion information acquired in the congestion information acquisition step.

Further, a program of the present invention is a program to be executed by a navigation server communicatively connected to a terminal device and having at least a control unit and a storage unit, wherein the storage unit defines a traffic network. A route search, comprising network information storage means for storing network information and congestion information storage means for storing traffic congestion information, wherein the control unit receives a route search request transmitted from the terminal device. a request receiving step, and based on the route search request received in the route search request receiving step, a transfer search including the departure time of the transportation system, the starting stop point of the transportation system, and the destination stop point of the transportation system. a transfer search condition acquisition step for acquiring a condition; and a departure stop point from the departure stop point to the destination stop point during a predetermined time period including the departure time included in the transfer search condition acquired in the transfer search condition acquisition step. a route search step of searching for a transfer route of the means of transportation to by using the network information stored in the network information storage means and generating route information related to the transfer route; a congestion information obtaining step of obtaining, from the congestion information storage means, the congestion information relating to the congestion of the transportation means on the transfer route; and the route information generated in the route searching step, and the congestion information obtaining step. and a route guidance information transmitting step of transmitting route guidance information including the congestion information obtained by the above-described congestion information to the terminal device.

Further, a program of the present invention is a program to be executed by a navigation server comprising at least a control unit and a storage unit, which is communicably connected to a terminal device comprising at least a display unit, wherein the storage unit comprises , network information storage means for storing network information defining a transportation network, and congestion information storage means for storing congestion information relating to congestion of transportation means, wherein the route search transmitted from the terminal device in the control unit a route search request receiving step for receiving a request; and based on the route search request received in the route search request receiving step, determining the departure time of the transportation system, the starting stop point of the transportation system, and the destination stop of the transportation system. a transfer search condition acquiring step of acquiring a transfer search condition including a point; a route search step of searching for a transfer route of the transportation system from the point to the destination stop point using the network information stored in the network information storage means, and generating route information related to the transfer route; a congestion information obtaining step of obtaining, from the congestion information storage means, the congestion information relating to the congestion of the transportation system on the transfer route searched in the search step; the route information generated in the route search step; a display information generating step of generating display information including route guidance information including the congestion information obtained in the congestion information obtaining step; and transmitting output control information including the display information to the terminal device. and an output control step of displaying the output control information on the display unit of the terminal device.

According to the present invention, a transfer search condition including the departure time of a transportation facility, a departure stop point of the transportation facility, and a destination stop point of the transportation facility is acquired, and a predetermined time including the departure time included in the acquired transfer search condition is obtained. Using network information, search for a transfer route of transportation from a starting stop point to a destination stop that departs at a time zone, generate route information on the transfer route, and relate to traffic congestion on the searched transfer route The congestion information is acquired, and the generated route information and the route guidance information including the acquired congestion information are displayed on the display unit, so that the degree of congestion of the route searched for transfer and the routes before and after that can be understood at the same time. , there is an effect that the user can select a vacant route even if he is in a hurry. Moreover, according to the present invention, by guiding the user to a less crowded time zone, there is an effect that congestion concentration during rush hours can be alleviated.

Further, according to the present invention, the congestion rate for each boarding section included in the transfer route is acquired, and the route guidance information in which the route information is associated with the index information based on the congestion rate for each boarding section is displayed on the display unit. Since it is displayed, the user himself/herself can confirm the degree of congestion and freely select a route.

In addition, according to the present invention, the congestion rate between the stop points of the transportation system included in the transfer route is acquired, and the route information for each boarding section included in the transfer route is added to the index based on the congestion rate between the stop points. Since the route guidance information in which the information is arranged is displayed on the display unit, there is an effect that it is possible to grasp which stop points are busy.

Further, according to the present invention, the congestion rate between the stop points of the transportation system included in the boarding section is further acquired, and the route information for each boarding section and index information based on the congestion rate between the stop points are obtained. , is displayed on the display section, so that it is possible to ascertain which stop points are busy.

Further, according to the present invention, the route guidance information in which the route information for each boarding section and the index information based on the congestion rate for each boarding section are associated is displayed on the display section, so that the route information can be confirmed. However, there is an effect that it is possible to grasp the congested boarding section.

In addition, according to the present invention, the congestion rate between each stop point of the transportation system included in the transfer route is acquired, and the transfer route based on the route information is plotted on the vertical axis, and the specified time period is plotted on the horizontal axis. Since the route guidance information indicating index information based on the congestion rate between points is displayed on the display part, the time immediately before and after congestion can be predicted, and even pregnant women or physically handicapped people who need a wheelchair or the like can use it. This provides an effect that the route can be selected with peace of mind.

In addition, according to the present invention, the congestion rate for each vehicle between stop points of transportation facilities included in a transfer route is acquired, and a graph with the transfer route based on the route information on the vertical axis and the vehicle number on the horizontal axis is displayed. Since the route guidance information is displayed on the display section, the route guidance information is displayed based on the congestion rate of each vehicle.

Further, according to the present invention, when a congestion rate for each transfer route is acquired, and a plurality of different transfer routes are searched for, the congestion rates of the plurality of different transfer routes are compared, and based on the comparison, the congestion rate is displayed. If there is a transfer route with a lower congestion rate than the transfer route based on the route information to be set, the notification information to the effect that there is another transfer route with a lower congestion rate is displayed on the display unit, so that the best transfer route is suggested. It has the effect of being able to

Further, according to the present invention, when a plurality of different transfer routes are searched, route guidance information including route information and congestion information is tab-displayed on the display unit for each transfer route. can be easily compared.

In the above, the navigation device of the present invention has been described as an example of the effects, but the terminal device, the navigation system, the navigation server, the navigation method, and the program have similar effects.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a navigation system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an example of processing of the navigation system in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of congestion display in this embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of congestion display in this embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of congestion display in this embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of congestion display in this embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of congestion display in this embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of congestion display in this embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of congestion display in this embodiment. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a navigation server according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing an example of processing of the navigation server in the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the navigation device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing an example of processing of the navigation device in the third embodiment.

Embodiments of a navigation system, a terminal device, a navigation server, a navigation device, a navigation method, and a program according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment.

Hereinafter, the configuration and processing of the present invention will be described for a first embodiment (navigation system), a second embodiment (navigation server (server-driven type)), and a third embodiment (navigation device (standalone type)). A detailed description will be given in order.

[First embodiment]
First, a first embodiment (navigation system) of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11. FIG. However, the first embodiment shown below is an example of a navigation system for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention to this navigation system. It is equally applicable to other embodiments of navigation systems within the scope of the claims. For example, the form of functional distribution on the server side and the terminal side in the navigation system exemplified in the first embodiment is not limited to the following. It can be distributed and integrated.

[Navigation system configuration]
First, an example of the configuration of the navigation 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 navigation system according to the first embodiment, and conceptually shows only those portions of the configuration that are related to the present invention. In this embodiment, a navigation system that provides communication-type navigation will be described as a specific example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be applied to a standalone type navigation system or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation system of the first embodiment generally includes a navigation server 200 capable of providing map information, route searching, etc., and one or more route guidance applications and transfer guidance applications. and the like are communicably connected to each other. Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the communication includes remote communication such as wired/wireless communication via the network 300 as an example. Also, each part of these navigation systems is communicably connected via an arbitrary communication path.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the navigation system of the first embodiment, the navigation server 200 generally includes at least a control unit 202 and a storage unit 206, and the terminal device 100 includes a position acquisition unit 112 and a At least an output unit (display unit 114 and audio output unit 116), an input unit 118, a control unit 102, and a storage unit 106 are provided.

[Configuration of Navigation Server 200]
Here, in FIG. 1, the navigation server 200 receives a route search request transmitted from the terminal device 100, and based on the route search request, determines the departure time of the transportation facility, the departure stop point of the transportation facility, and the destination stop of the transportation facility. By acquiring transfer search conditions including points, and using network information, search for transfer routes of means of transportation from the departure stop point to the destination stop point, departing in a predetermined time period including the departure time included in the transfer search conditions. , generating route information about the transfer route, acquiring congestion information about traffic congestion on the transfer route, and transmitting route guidance information including the route information and the congestion information to the terminal device 100. have. The navigation server 200 is communicably connected to the terminal device 100 via the network 300 via the communication control interface section 204 , and includes a control section 202 and a storage section 206 . The control unit 202 is control means for performing various processes. The communication control interface unit 204 is an interface connected to a communication device (not shown) such as an antenna or router connected to a communication line, telephone line, or the like, and controls communication between the navigation server 200 and the network 300. have the function of 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 fixed disk device such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a storage means such as an SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores various databases and tables (network information database 206a, traffic information database 206b, congestion information database 206c, etc.). , map information database 206d, and guidance information database 206e).

Among the constituent elements of the storage unit 206, the network information database 206a is network information storage means for storing network information that defines the transportation network. Here, the network information may be information about a network represented by a combination of nodes that are nodes on a transportation network representation and links that connect the nodes. The network information may also include road network information, road network information, and in-facility network information. These network information are pre-stored in the network information database 206a, and the control unit 202 of the navigation server 200 periodically and/or according to processing by the control unit 202 (for example, When necessary, 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. good too.

Here, the road network information included in the network information is network information that defines the road network, and includes, for example, node data of nodes that are nodes on the road network expression such as intersections, and road sections between the nodes. This is network information expressed by a combination of links and link data. Here, the node data includes a node number (for example, a node ID, etc.), a node name, position information such as position coordinates such as latitude, longitude, altitude, etc., a node type, the number of links to be connected, a connection node number, and an intersection name. and other information may be included. In addition, link data includes link numbers (for example, link IDs), start node IDs, end node IDs, road types, route numbers such as national roads, prefectural roads, and city roads, heavily used route information, administrative Area attribute information, link length (e.g. distance, etc.), road service status, section restricted during extreme weather conditions, vehicle weight limit, vehicle height limit, road width, road width classification, lane information (e.g. number of lanes, route bus Exclusive traffic lanes, dedicated traffic lanes for two-wheeled vehicles, traffic lanes dedicated to two-wheeled vehicles and light vehicles, priority traffic lanes for fixed-route buses, etc., vehicle traffic divisions, traffic divisions by direction of travel, etc.) , speed limits, lane change restrictions, overpasses, tunnels and bridges, and other in-link attributes, as well as information such as names. The road network information may also include usage fee data and the like. Here, the usage charge data may be information representing fuel charges for traveling by car, motorcycle, etc., and tolls for toll roads such as national highways and motorways. In addition, the road network information may store location information such as latitude and longitude information of facilities, etc. existing on the route when moving by car, motorcycle, bicycle, or on foot.

In addition, the route network information included in the network information is network information that defines the route network of each means of transportation (for example, public transportation, etc.) such as railroads, airplanes, buses, and ships. Node data (e.g., stop point information) related to nodes that are representational nodes (e.g., stop points of transportation, such as stations, stops, stops, airports, ports, terminals, etc.), and between nodes It is network information expressed in combination with link data (eg, route information, operating route information, etc.) relating to links (eg, railroad routes, airline routes, sea routes, bus routes, etc.) that connect . Here, the route may be a line that connects the departure point and the destination through which the means of transportation pass. Further, the service route information is information relating to the service route actually traveled by the service for which the route of the service is set, and may include the position information of the service route. A railway is a means of transportation that transports passengers and freight by being guided by fixed guideways (rails, guideways, etc.) installed on the route. It may be a ropeway, monorail, cable car, linear motor car, or the like. In addition, the node data includes a node number (for example, node ID), a node name (for example, a station name, which is the name of a stop point of a transportation system, a stop name, a stop name, a stop name, an airport name, a port name, and terminal name, etc.), and information such as location information such as latitude, longitude, and altitude. In addition, the link data includes a link number (eg, link ID, etc.), start node ID, end node ID, type, link length (eg, distance, etc.), link attributes such as viaduct, tunnel and bridge, and link name. (for example, route name, etc.), and information such as location information such as latitude, longitude, and altitude. In addition, the route network information further includes types of transportation (for example, limited express, express, semi-express, rapid, rapid express, commuter limited express, commuter rapid, commuter express, section express, section semi-express, section rapid, local train, and , local trains, etc.) (e.g., express stop stations, semi-express stop stations, rapid stop stations, etc.) node data, and link data of links such as railway lines and bus lines that connect these nodes may include network information expressed by a combination of and in association with the type.

In addition, the route network information includes location information (e.g., latitude, longitude, altitude, etc.), shape information, and layout information (e.g., island platform and relative platform) of transportation facilities boarding and alighting locations (e.g., station platforms, etc.). , and attribute information (for example, boarding/alighting place name such as platform number, identification number, etc.) and the like. Also, the route network information may include usage fare data of transportation facilities. Here, the usage fare data may be, for example, information representing the fare and charges incurred when using each means of transportation such as railroads, airplanes, buses, and ships. Also, the route network information may include boarding position data. Here, the boarding position data is, for example, a train, a streetcar, a monorail, a cable car, a boarding position of a transportation system in which a plurality of vehicles such as a linear motor car are connected (for example, a vehicle near a ticket gate, a vehicle convenient for changing trains, etc.) It may also be information representing a vehicle at a particular position, a vehicle with a low congestion rate, a women-only vehicle, etc.).

Further, the intra-facility network information included in the network information is network information that defines a route network within the facility. Here, the intra-facility network information includes, for example, entrances and exits of stores, companies, offices, and toilets in buildings, entrances and exits of elevators and escalators, entrances and exits of stairs, boarding gates of airplanes, etc. Node data of nodes that connect passages, such as train boarding positions and station ticket gates, and passages, stairs, moving walkways, escalators, elevators, etc. that connect between nodes. This is network information expressed by a combination of links and link data. Here, the node data includes a node number (eg, node ID, etc.), a node name (entrance name, boarding gate name, etc.), location information such as position coordinates such as latitude, longitude, altitude, etc., node type (eg, entrance, It may also include information such as a boarding/alighting entrance, a turning corner of a passage, a branch point of a passage, etc.), the number of links to be connected, and a connection node number. The link data includes a link number (eg, link ID, etc.), start node ID, end node ID, link length, width, link type (eg, passage connecting nodes, stairs, slope, escalator, elevator, and moving walkways, etc.), and barrier-free information. Here, the facility may be a station, an office building, a hotel, a department store, a supermarket, a museum, an art museum, a school, an aquarium, an underground passageway, a multistory parking lot, an underground parking lot, or an indoor building such as an underground mall. . Facilities may also be bus terminals, parks, amusement parks, campsites, connecting passages, outdoor parking lots, and outdoor structures such as zoos.

Also, the traffic information database 206b is traffic information storage means for storing traffic information. Here, the traffic information may include operation information of transportation facilities (for example, delay information, etc.). may contain The operation information may also include timetable information (operation time information) of transportation facilities. In addition, the operation information may be timetable information for each transportation system (for example, timetable information that determines the transit time of the stop point that each transportation system passes through), timetable information for each stop (for example, timetable information, etc., that defines the arrival times of means of transportation that pass through each stop point. In addition, the operation information may include information regarding the stop points to be routed through and the scheduled route time for each route or service. Here, the timetable information may be information representing the timetable of each means of transportation such as railways, airplanes, buses, and ships. In addition, the timetable information further includes destination information of transportation (for example, final destination information, etc.), and types of transportation (for example, limited express, express, semi-express, rapid, rapid express, commuter limited express, commuter The information may include express, regional express, regional semi-express, regional rapid, local trains, local trains, etc.). In addition, the timetable information further includes the departure and arrival times of transportation at nodes on the route (i.e., stop points of transportation) (e.g., scheduled departure, transit, and arrival times), the name of the transportation route, It may also be information including attribute information such as the name of a node on the route of the transportation system (that is, the stop point of the transportation system). In addition, the timetable information includes transport facility attribute information (eg, type and destination information) associated with each section (eg, one or more links) connecting nodes on the route of the transportation facility. You can stay. In addition, the timetable information may include attribute information of boarding/alighting places such as names and identification numbers (for example, platform numbers) of boarding/alighting places used for boarding/alighting of each means of transportation.

Also, the traffic information may include road traffic information. Here, the road traffic information may include congestion information such as congestion occurrence point, congestion distance, transit time between two points on the road (that is, travel time, etc.). Moreover, 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. Vehicle traffic regulations such as regulations and weight regulations, road construction and work, construction work regulations associated with construction around roads, traffic lane regulations that regulate traffic lanes that can be passed depending on the time of day and vehicle type, and vehicle traffic due to road damage, etc. It may also include information such as prohibition of entry of general vehicles due to community zones, etc. established to ensure traffic safety, and prohibition of entry of general vehicles due to connecting roads to private land. Further, the traffic regulation information may be traffic regulation information that makes it impossible or difficult to drive a vehicle lane or the like due to construction work, an accident, vehicle failure, or the like. The traffic information is stored in advance in the traffic information database 206b, and the control unit 202 of the navigation server 200 periodically (for example, every 5 minutes) and/or according to processing by the control unit 202 (for example, when data is required in the control unit 202) via the network 300 to external systems (for example, the National Police Agency, VICS (registered trademark) (Vehicle Information and Communication System), and ATiS (registered trademark) (Advanced Traffic Information Service), Japan Road Traffic Information Center (registered trademark) (JARTIC (registered trademark)), railway companies, bus companies, and traffic information distribution servers (services), etc.) The traffic information stored in the traffic information database 206b may be updated.

The congestion information database 206c is congestion information storage means for storing congestion information relating to traffic congestion. Here, the congestion information may include the congestion rate of transportation. Here, the congestion rate may be a value calculated using a formula of (congestion rate=transported personnel/transport capacity). For example, a congestion rate of 100% may be a state in which all passengers can take a seat, hold onto a strap, or hold on to a pillar. Also, the congestion rate of 150% may be a state in which the shoulders of the passengers touch each other. Also, the congestion rate of 180% may be a state in which the bodies of the passengers are in contact with each other. Also, a congestion rate of 200% may be a state in which the bodies of the passengers are in contact with each other and there is a considerable sense of oppression. Also, a congestion rate of 250% means that every time the train shakes, the passenger's body becomes slanted and they cannot move, and even their hands may not move. The congestion information is stored in advance in the congestion information database 206c, and the control unit 202 of the navigation server 200 periodically and/or according to processing by the control unit 202 (for example, When the data is required, etc.), the latest data is downloaded from an external system (for example, a railway company, a bus company, a traffic information distribution server (service), etc.) via the network 300 and stored in the congestion information database 206c. Stored congestion information may be updated.

The map information database 206d is map information storage means for storing map information relating to maps. Here, the map information database 206d may store map information relating to maps of multiple scales, or map information that can correspond to maps of multiple scales. In other words, the map information may include raster-format map drawing images of a plurality of scales, vector-format map drawing images, or the like. Here, the map information may be, for example, outdoor map information such as map information meshed according to scale (for example, JIS standard first to third regional division mesh data, 100 m mesh data, etc.). . The map information may also include outdoor map information such as road maps and route maps of the country and each region. The map information may also include indoor map information such as floor guide maps relating to buildings with height information (eg, multistory parking lots, stations, department stores, schools, etc.). The map information database 206d may store map information in association with a map ID (for example, a mesh number, etc.) that uniquely identifies the map information.

The map information database 206d may also store map object information regarding map objects displayed on the map. Here, the map object information includes features displayed on the map (for example, structures such as buildings, houses, and stations, roads, railroad tracks, bridges, tunnels, contour lines, coastlines, water such as Shape information (polygons, polylines, etc.) about the shapes of places such as lifelines, seas, rivers, lakes, ponds, swamps, parks, and outdoor facilities, administrative boundaries, administrative districts, and town blocks, etc., on maps Notes displayed in (for example, place names, addresses, telephone numbers, facility names such as stores, parks, buildings, and stations, famous places, historic sites, rivers, lakes, bays, mountains, and names including common names such as forests) , names of roads, bridges, tunnels, etc., route names, location information, word-of-mouth information, opening hours of facilities, products handled by stores, URLs, photo data, coupon information, etc.), and Symbols displayed on the map (for example, map symbols such as mountains, historical sites, temples and shrines, government offices, police stations, police stations, fire stations, stations, medical institutions, museums, museums, schools, factories, and cemeteries, restaurants, food Merchandise stores, liquor stores, tobacco stores, department stores, shopping centers, supermarkets, convenience stores, gas stations, financial institutions, and post office signs, road signals, toll road entrances and exits, toll gates, service areas, parking Symbols such as area and interchange symbols, facility symbols such as parking lots, stations, hotels, art galleries, and museums, and symbol information such as word-of-mouth point symbols. Here, the shape information may include images for drawing map objects (for example, polygons, polylines, etc.).

The map information database 206d may further store POI information including position information of POIs (points of interest). Here, POI position (coordinate) information includes POI latitude/longitude/altitude, POI telephone number, POI address, and location of point where POI exists (urban area, suburban area, harbor area, station area, etc.) ) and use restrictions, etc. POI information includes 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, and coupon information. , word-of-mouth (e.g., word-of-mouth evaluations, user comments, etc.), conditions of use, usability, facility scale, POI ID, reference rate such as number of times or frequency of access to the POI information, update date and time of the POI information, etc. may contain information about Here, a POI is a specific point, facility, etc. that people perceive as a convenient place or a place of interest. There may be. Here, 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, hotels and inns, etc. It may be an accommodation facility or the like. Also, public facilities may be, for example, government offices, police stations, police stations, fire stations, stations, medical institutions, art museums, museums, schools, and the like. Also, entertainment facilities may be, for example, movie theaters, theaters, amusement parks, pachinko parlors, casinos, and racetracks. Outdoor facilities may also be bus terminals, parks, amusement parks, campgrounds, connecting passages, outdoor parking lots, zoos, and the like. POIs may also be venues for temporary events (eg, festivals, exhibitions, expositions, games, concerts, flea markets, etc.).

In addition, the indoor map information included in the map information may include premises route data regarding indoor routes within the premises of a facility or the like. Here, the premises route data may be data based at least on movement route data in premises such as stations and map information of a map (facility guide map) including the movement route. For example, the premises route data may be an image in which a travel route is drawn on a facility guide map. Also, for example, the local route data may further include message data describing the travel route. Here, the travel route based on the travel route data may be an optimal route (for example, shortest route or barrier-free route) connecting ticket gates or the like when transferring between multiple modes of transportation within the facility.

Further, these map information and the like are stored in advance in the map information database 206d, and the control unit 202 of the navigation server 200 periodically and/or according to the processing by the control unit 202 (for example, the control unit 202 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, etc. may be updated.

The guidance information database 206e is guidance information storage means for storing guidance information (audio guidance information, display guidance information, etc.). Here, the display guidance information included in the guidance information includes turn-by-turn (TBT), which is arrow navigation that displays guidance such as right and left turns on the screen, and current Character data or the like that informs that the position has approached the target may be used, and may be used, for example, when the control unit 102 of the terminal device 100 executes display guidance. The display guidance information may also include map information on a low-scale map around the intersection (for example, an enlarged view of the intersection), road sign images of road signs, road display images of road signs, and the like. Also, the voice guidance information included in the guidance information may be voice information notifying that there is a congested area around the current position, and "There is a traffic jam ahead" associated with the guidance of the congested area. , "Turn left at the next intersection" associated with the direction of travel etc. at junctions, etc., and "You will soon be near the destination" It may be information, and may be used, for example, when the control unit 102 of the terminal device 100 executes voice guidance.

The control unit 202 also has an internal memory for storing a control program such as an OS (Operating System), programs defining various processing procedures, and required data. Then, the control unit 202 performs information processing for executing various processes using these programs and the like. The control unit 202 functionally conceptually includes a route search request reception unit 202a, a transfer search condition acquisition unit 202b, a route search unit 202c, a congestion information acquisition unit 202d, a comparison unit 202e, a route guidance information generation unit 202f, and a route guidance unit. An information transmission unit 202g is provided.

Among these, the route search request receiving unit 202 a is route search request receiving means for receiving a route search request transmitted from the terminal device 100 . Here, the route search request includes a starting point, a destination, a waypoint, means of transportation (for example, using transportation, walking, using a bicycle, or using a car, etc.), departure time, transit time, arrival time, and/or Alternatively, route search conditions including dates and the like may be included. Here, the starting point may be the current position of the user of the terminal device 100 . Also, the starting point may be a starting and stopping point of a transportation system. The destination may also be a destination stopping point of transportation. Also, the departure time may be the departure time of the place of departure or the departure time of transportation. Also, the departure time may be the current time or the like. Also, the transit point may be a transit stopping point of a transportation system. In addition, the route search request receiving unit 202a may set, as the departure stop point, the stop point of the nearest transportation system to the departure point included in the route search condition included in the route search request. In addition, the route search request receiving unit 202a may set, as the target stop point, a stop point of a transportation system closest to the destination included in the route search condition included in the route search request. Also, the route search request may include the current location information of the user of the terminal device 100 . Also, the route search request may include a location information signal received from the location transmission device 500 by the location acquisition unit 112 of the terminal device 100 . Also, the route search condition may be input via the input unit 118 of the terminal device 100 .

The transfer search condition acquisition unit 202b is transfer search condition acquisition means for acquiring transfer search conditions. Here, the transfer search condition may include the departure time of the transportation, the departure stop point of the transportation, and the destination stop point of the transportation. In addition, the transfer search condition acquisition unit 202b is included in the route search conditions included in the departure/stop point, the traffic information (for example, timetable information of transportation facilities, etc.) stored in the traffic information database 206b, and the route search request. You may set the departure time of a means of transportation based on the departure time of a departure place. For example, the transfer search condition acquisition unit 202b determines the departure time of the transportation system based on the required time such as the straight line distance from the departure point to the departure stop point, the traffic information stored in the traffic information database 206b, and the departure time of the departure point. You can set the time. In addition, the transfer search condition acquisition unit 202b acquires route information related to the guidance route from the departure point to the departure/stop point of the transportation system included in the route search conditions included in the route search request generated by the control unit 202, and the traffic information. The departure time of transportation may be set based on the traffic information stored in the information database 206b.

In addition, the route search unit 202c selects a transportation transfer route from the departure stop point of the transportation facility to the destination stop point of the transportation facility, which departs in a predetermined time period including the departure time of the transportation facility included in the transfer search condition, Route search means for searching using the network information stored in the network information database 206a and generating route information regarding the transfer route. Here, the predetermined time period may be a time period including the departure times of a predetermined number of transportation facilities that depart before, after, or before or after the departure time of the transportation facilities. The predetermined number may be, for example, one, four, or the total number. Further, the route searching unit 202c may search for a transfer route based on the traffic information stored in the traffic information database 206b. For example, the route search unit 202c may search for a transfer route using network information stored in the network information database 206a based on traffic information stored in the traffic information database 206b. In addition, the route search unit 202c provides a guidance route (for example, walking route, etc.) from the departure point (for example, home, etc.) included in the route search condition included in the route search request to the starting stop point of the transportation system, and A guidance route (for example, walking route, etc.) from the intended stop point of the transportation system to the destination (for example, company, etc.) included in the route search condition included in the route search request is stored in the network information database 206a. A search may be performed using the information to generate route information regarding the guidance route. Further, when the route search condition includes a waypoint, the route search unit 202c may search for a transfer route or guidance route via the waypoint.

The congestion information acquisition unit 202d is a congestion information acquisition unit that acquires, from the congestion information database 206c, congestion information about traffic congestion on the transfer route searched by the route search unit 202c. Here, the congestion information acquisition unit 202d may acquire from the congestion information database 206c the congestion rate for each transfer route searched by the route search unit 202c. Also, the congestion information acquisition unit 202d may acquire from the congestion information database 206c the congestion rate for each boarding section included in the transfer route searched by the route search unit 202c. Also, the congestion information acquisition unit 202d may acquire from the congestion information database 206c the congestion rate for each stop point of the transportation system included in the transfer route searched by the route search unit 202c. Also, the congestion information acquisition unit 202d may acquire from the congestion information database 206c the congestion rate for each vehicle between stop points of the means of transportation included in the transfer route searched by the route search unit 202c.

Further, the comparison unit 202e is a comparison unit that compares the congestion rates between the plurality of different transfer routes acquired by the congestion information acquisition unit 202d when a plurality of different transfer routes are searched by the route search unit 202c. Here, the comparison unit 202e may further generate a comparison result based on the comparison. Moreover, the comparison unit 202e may further generate notification information to the effect that there is another transfer route with a low congestion rate.

Further, the route guidance information generation unit 202f is route guidance information generation means for generating route guidance information. Here, the route guidance information generation unit 202f may generate route guidance information including the route information generated by the route search unit 202c and the congestion information acquired by the congestion information acquisition unit 202d. The route guidance information generation unit 202f also generates route guidance information in which the route information generated by the route search unit 202c and the index information based on the congestion rate of each boarding section acquired by the congestion information acquisition unit 202d are associated with each other. may be generated. Here, the index information may be information relating to characters, graphics, colors, or a combination thereof, which serves as a mark. In addition, the route guide information generating unit 202f generates a route by adding index information based on the congestion rate between stopping points acquired by the congestion information acquiring unit 202d to the route information for each boarding section generated by the route searching unit 202c. Guidance information may be generated. Further, the route guidance information generation unit 202f associates the route information for each boarding section generated by the route search unit 202c with the index information based on the congestion rate between stopping points acquired by the congestion information acquisition unit 202d. You may generate|occur|produce the route guidance information which attached. Further, the route guidance information generation unit 202f associates the route information for each boarding section generated by the route search unit 202c with the index information based on the congestion rate for each boarding section acquired by the congestion information acquisition unit 202d. route guidance information may be generated. In addition, the route guidance information generation unit 202f plots the transfer route of the transportation system based on the route information generated by the route search unit 202c on the vertical axis, and the predetermined time period including the departure time included in the transfer search condition on the horizontal axis. Route guidance information may be generated in which index information based on the congestion rate between stop points acquired by the congestion information acquiring unit 202d is displayed on the graph. In addition, the route guidance information generation unit 202f creates a graph in which the vertical axis is the transfer route of the transportation system based on the route information generated by the route search unit 202c and the horizontal axis is the vehicle number. Route guidance information may be generated that displays index information based on the congestion rate of each vehicle. Further, the route guidance information may further include map information related to a map containing transfer routes and/or guidance routes stored in the map information database 206d. Further, the route guidance information may further include guidance information (display guidance information, voice guidance information, etc.) output on the transfer route and/or the guidance route stored in the guidance information database 206e. .

Further, the route guidance information transmitting unit 202g is route guidance information transmitting means for transmitting route guidance information to the terminal device 100. FIG. Here, the route guidance information transmission unit 202g may further transmit the comparison result and the notification information generated by the comparison unit 202e to the terminal device 100. FIG.

[Configuration of terminal device 100]
In FIG. 1, the terminal device 100 has functions such as receiving route guidance information transmitted from the navigation server 200 and displaying the route guidance information on the display unit 114 . 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 smart phone, a PHS, or a PDA, or a navigation terminal that performs travel route guidance or the like. (For example, a car navigation device, etc.). Here, the terminal device 100 may be loaded with an Internet browser or the like, and may be loaded with a route guidance application, a transit guidance application, an information search application, and the like. In addition, the terminal device 100 may include a position acquisition unit 112 having a GPS function, an IMES function, etc. so that the current position can be measured in real time. The terminal device 100 may also include an output section including at least the display section 114 and the audio output section 116 . The terminal device 100 may also include an input unit 118 for inputting data and the like.

Here, the display unit 114 may be display means for displaying a display screen of an application or the like (for example, a display, monitor, or the like composed of liquid crystal, organic EL, or the like). Also, the audio output unit 116 may be audio output means (for example, a speaker or the like) that outputs audio information as audio. Also, the input unit 118 may be, for example, a key input unit, a touch panel, a keyboard, a microphone, or the like. Also, the input/output control interface unit 108 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 signal reception means for receiving a position information signal transmitted from the position transmission device 500, for example. Here, the position transmission device 500 may be a GPS device (for example, GPS satellites, etc.) 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, orbital information, etc.), and the like. Also, the position transmitting device 500 may be a base station (for example, a mobile phone, a mobile phone, a PHS base station, etc.) that is a device for performing wireless communication with the terminal device 100 . Position transmitting device 500 may be an IMES device that implements IMES (Indoor Message System) technology that enables indoor positioning using a position information signal having characteristics similar to GPS signals.

Also, the position transmitting device 500 may be a GPS repeater that transmits indoors GPS signals received outdoors. In addition, the position transmitting device 500 is arbitrarily installed at each floor in a building (for example, a multi-storey car park) and underground structures (for example, subway stations, underground malls, underground passages, underground parking lots, etc.). It may be a small-sized transmitting device. In addition, self-location information (location ID, etc.) corresponding to the installation location is assigned to this small-sized transmission device. Then, when the terminal device 100 enters the communicable range, the terminal device 100 receives the self-position information transmitted from the small transmitting device as a position information signal. The communication method at this time may be, for example, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag system, various short-range wireless methods such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), an infrared communication method, or the like. Also, 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 to acquire the identification information of the access point. Then, the control unit 102 may acquire the position information by specifying the position of the access point from the access point-specific identification information acquired by the position acquisition unit 112 . Also, 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 a relative position from a reference position in addition to an absolute position specified by latitude and longitude.

Here, the position acquisition unit 112 may include a speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, a direction sensor, a distance sensor, and the like that detect the amount of change (for example, vector amount) of the terminal device 100 . Here, the position acquisition unit 112 may detect speed with a speed sensor. Also, the position acquisition unit 112 may detect acceleration with an acceleration sensor. In addition, the position acquisition unit 112 may detect a direction (for example, east, west, south, north, sky, ground, etc.) and tilt with a direction sensor. Also, the position acquisition unit 112 may detect the movement distance (displacement) with a distance sensor. Here, the speed sensor may be a laser Doppler vibrometer or the like, and the speed of the terminal device 100 may be detected from a 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 acceleration sensor such as a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) acceleration sensor. A geomagnetic sensor that detects the absolute running direction, an optical gyro that detects the relative running direction, or the like may be used as the direction sensor. Also, the direction sensor may be an electronic compass or the like that can acquire information about direction and inclination by combining a geomagnetic sensor and an 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 number of revolutions of the axle and detect the movement distance in proportion to the number of pulse signals.

In addition, the position acquisition unit 112 may further include a communication device, and when the terminal device 100 is an information processing terminal for vehicles, the position of the vehicle is obtained from inter-vehicle communication of the communication device installed in each vehicle. You may acquire the positional information which shows. Also, 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.

Also, the communication control interface unit 104 is an interface connected to a communication device (not shown) such as an antenna or router connected to a communication line, a telephone line, or the like. It has a control function. That is, the communication control interface unit 104 has a function of communicating data with the navigation server 200 and the like via a communication line. The network 300 also has a function of interconnecting the terminal device 100 and the navigation server 200 with an external device or system such as an external map providing server. and a general telephone network, etc.), an intranet, or a power line communication (PLC).

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

The route guidance information file 106a is route guidance information storage means for storing route guidance information.

The control unit 102 also has an internal memory for storing a control program such as an OS, a program defining various processing procedures, and required data. Then, the control unit 102 performs information processing for executing various processes using these programs and the like. The control unit 102 functionally and conceptually includes a current position information acquisition unit 102a, a route search request transmission unit 102b, a route guidance information reception unit 102c, and a route guidance information display unit 102d.

Here, the current location information acquisition unit 102 a is current location information acquisition means for acquiring the current location information of the user of the terminal device 100 . Here, the current location information acquisition unit 102a acquires the current location information of the user of the terminal device 100 at predetermined time intervals (for example, every second or every three minutes), that is, at predetermined intervals. good. Further, the current location information acquisition unit 102 a may acquire location information calculated from the location information signal received from the location transmission device 500 by the location acquisition unit 112 as the current location information of the user of the terminal device 100 . Further, the current location information acquisition unit 102 a may transmit the current location information of the user of the terminal device 100 to the navigation server 200 .

Further, the current location information acquisition unit 102 a may acquire location information such as location coordinates of the current location input by the user via the input unit 118 as the current location 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. (For example, it may be an arbitrary point such as a station or airport in Osaka selected by a user in Tokyo). For example, the current position information acquisition unit 102a acquires information specified by the user via the input unit 118 (for example, specifying operation on the touch panel display unit 114) on the map information displayed on the display unit 114. Point information corresponding to the location may be acquired as the current location information of the user of the terminal device 100 .

The route search request transmission unit 102b is route search request transmission means for transmitting a route search request to the navigation server 200. FIG.

Further, the route guidance information receiving unit 102c is route guidance information receiving means for receiving route guidance information transmitted from the navigation server 200. FIG. Here, the route guidance information receiving unit 102c may receive the comparison result and the notification information transmitted from the navigation server 200. FIG. Further, the route guidance information receiving unit 102c may store the received route guidance information in the route guidance information file 106a. Further, the route guidance information receiving unit 102c may store the received comparison result and notification information in the route guidance information file 106a. If existing route guidance information is stored in the route guidance information file 106a, the route guidance information receiving unit 102c overwrites the existing route guidance information with the newly set route guidance information. may Further, when existing comparison results are stored in the route guidance information file 106a, the route guidance information receiving unit 102c may overwrite the existing comparison results with the newly set comparison results.

The route guidance information display unit 102d is route guidance information output means for causing the display unit 114 to display the route guidance information. Here, the route guidance information display unit 102d further determines that when the route guidance information includes route information relating to a plurality of different transfer routes, and based on the comparison result, the congestion rate is lower than that of the transfer route based on the route information to be displayed. If there is a transfer route, the notification information may be displayed on the display unit 114 . Further, when the route guidance information includes route information relating to a plurality of different transfer routes, the route guidance information display unit 102d causes the display unit 114 to display the route guidance information including the route information and the congestion information in tabs for each transfer route. may Further, the route guidance information display unit 102d may cause the display unit 114 to display the current location information of the user of the terminal device 100. FIG. Further, the route guidance information display unit 102d may execute route guidance by causing the display unit 114 to display the route guidance information. Here, when a route guidance start request is input via the input unit 118, the route guidance information display unit 102d may execute route guidance. Further, the route guidance information display unit 102d may cause the voice output unit 116 to output voice information corresponding to the display (such as voice guidance information included in the route guidance information).

This completes the description of an example of the configuration of the navigation system according to the first embodiment.

[Navigation system processing]
Next, an example of processing of the navigation system in the first embodiment configured as described above will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 11. FIG. FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an example of processing of the navigation system in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, first, the route search request transmission unit 102b of the terminal device 100 allows the user to input the departure point, the destination, the departure time of the departure point, and the usage of walking and transportation through the input unit 118. When a route search condition including the route search condition is input, a route search request including the route search condition is transmitted to the navigation server 200 (step SA-1). Here, the starting point may be the current position of the user of the terminal device 100 based on the current position information acquired by the current position information acquisition unit 102a. Also, the departure point may be a departure stop point of a transportation system. The destination may also be a destination stopping point of transportation. Also, the departure time may be the current time or the like. Further, the route search conditions may include a starting stop point of transportation, a destination stop point of transportation, waypoints, waypoints, arrival times, dates, and/or the like. Here, the transit point may be a transit stopping point of a transportation system.

Then, the route search request receiving unit 202a of the navigation server 200 receives the route search request transmitted from the terminal device 100, and includes the route search condition included in the route search request, which is the closest transportation facility to the departure point. The stop point is set as the departure stop point, and the stop point of the nearest means of transport to the destination is set as the target stop point (step SA-2).

Then, the route search unit 202c of the navigation server 200 receives the route search request received by the route search request receiving unit 202a from the departure point (for example, home) included in the route search condition included in the route search request. Based on the traffic information stored in the traffic information database 206b, using the network information stored in the network information database 206a, the guidance route (for example, walking route, etc.) to the departure and stop point of the transportation system set by A search is made and route information relating to the guidance route is generated (step SA-3). Here, if the route search condition further includes an intermediate point, the route search unit 202c may search for a guidance route that passes through the intermediate point.

Then, the transfer search condition acquisition unit 202b of the navigation server 200 acquires route information (for example, arrival time at the departure/stop point, etc.) related to the guidance route from the departure point generated by the route search unit 202c to the departure/stop point of the transportation system, Then, based on the traffic information (for example, timetable information of transportation) stored in the traffic information database 206b, the departure time of the transportation is set, and the departure time of the transportation and the route search request receiving unit 202a Transfer search conditions including the set departure stop point of the transportation system and the destination stop point of the transportation system set by the route search request receiving unit 202a are obtained (step SA-4).

Then, the route search unit 202c of the navigation server 200 searches for traffic from the departure/stop point of the transportation system that departs in a predetermined time period including the departure time of the transportation system included in the transfer search condition acquired by the transfer search condition acquisition unit 202b. The network information stored in the network information database 206a is used based on the traffic information (for example, the timetable information of the transportation) stored in the traffic information database 206b to determine the transfer route of the transportation system to the intended stop point of the vehicle. to generate route information for a plurality of different travel time zones related to the transfer route, and included in the route search conditions included in the route search request received by the route search request receiving unit 202a from the target stopping point. Based on the traffic information stored in the traffic information database 206b, the network information stored in the network information database 206a is used to search for a guidance route (for example, a walking route, etc.) to a destination (e.g., company, etc.) and generate route information on the guidance route (step SA-5). Here, the predetermined time period may be a time period including a predetermined number of departure times before, after, or before or after the departure time of the transportation system. The predetermined number may be, for example, one, four, or the total number. Moreover, if the route search condition further includes a stopover, the route search unit 202c may search for a transfer route or guidance route via the stopover.

Then, the congestion information acquisition unit 202d of the navigation server 200 acquires the congestion rate of the transfer route searched by the route search unit 202c from the congestion information database 206c (step SA-6). Here, the congestion information acquisition unit 202d may acquire from the congestion information database 206c the congestion rate for each boarding section included in the transfer route searched by the route search unit 202c. Here, the boarding section may be, for example, the section from when the user gets on the transportation until it gets off, may be the section within one route, or the section spanning multiple routes (for example, direct operation It may be a section that straddles multiple routes that are connected). Also, the congestion information acquisition unit 202d may acquire from the congestion information database 206c the congestion rate for each stop point of the transportation system included in the transfer route searched by the route search unit 202c. Also, the congestion information acquisition unit 202d may acquire from the congestion information database 206c the congestion rate for each vehicle between stop points of the means of transportation included in the transfer route searched by the route search unit 202c.

Then, the control unit 202 of the navigation server 200 determines whether or not a plurality of different transfer routes have been searched by the route search unit 202c (step SA-7).

If the control unit 202 determines in step SA-7 that a plurality of different transfer routes have not been searched (step SA-7: No), the route guidance information generating unit 202f of the navigation server 200 searches for a route. Route guidance information including the route information for a plurality of different travel time zones generated by the section 202c and the congestion information acquired by the congestion information acquisition section 202d is generated (step SA-8). Here, the route guidance information generation unit 202f provides route guidance in which the route information generated by the route search unit 202c is associated with the index information based on the congestion rate of each boarding section acquired by the congestion information acquisition unit 202d. information may be generated. In addition, the route guidance information generating unit 202f generates a route by adding index information based on the congestion rate between stopping points acquired by the congestion information acquiring unit 202d to the route information for each boarding section generated by the route searching unit 202c. Guidance information may be generated. Further, the route guidance information generation unit 202f associates the route information for each boarding section generated by the route search unit 202c with the index information based on the congestion rate between stopping points acquired by the congestion information acquisition unit 202d. You may generate|occur|produce the route guidance information which attached. Further, the route guidance information generation unit 202f associates the route information for each boarding section generated by the route search unit 202c with the index information based on the congestion rate for each boarding section acquired by the congestion information acquisition unit 202d. route guidance information may be generated. In addition, the route guidance information generation unit 202f plots the transfer route of the transportation system based on the route information generated by the route search unit 202c on the vertical axis, and the predetermined time period including the departure time included in the transfer search condition on the horizontal axis. Route guidance information may be generated in which index information based on the congestion rate between stop points acquired by the congestion information acquisition unit 202d is displayed on the graph. In addition, the route guidance information generation unit 202f acquires a graph obtained by the congestion information acquisition unit 202d on a graph in which the vertical axis is the transfer route of the transportation system based on the route information generated by the route search unit 202c and the horizontal axis is the vehicle number. Route guidance information may be generated that displays index information based on the congestion rate of each vehicle. Further, the route guidance information may further include map information related to a map containing transfer routes and/or guidance routes stored in the map information database 206d. Further, the route guidance information may further include guidance information (display guidance information, voice guidance information, etc.) output on the transfer route and/or the guidance route stored in the guidance information database 206e. .

On the other hand, if the control unit 202 determines in step SA-7 that a plurality of different transfer routes have been searched for (step SA-7: Yes), the comparison unit 202e of the navigation server 200 acquires It compares the congestion rates among the plurality of different transfer routes thus obtained, and generates a result of the comparison and notification information to the effect that there is another transfer route with a low congestion rate (step SA-9).

Then, the route guidance information generation unit 202f of the navigation server 200 generates route information of a plurality of different travel time zones regarding a plurality of different transfer routes generated by the route search unit 202c, and congestion information acquired by the congestion information acquisition unit 202d. and route guidance information is generated (step SA-10). Here, the route guidance information generation unit 202f provides route guidance in which the route information generated by the route search unit 202c is associated with the index information based on the congestion rate of each boarding section acquired by the congestion information acquisition unit 202d. information may be generated. In addition, the route guide information generating unit 202f generates a route by adding index information based on the congestion rate between stopping points acquired by the congestion information acquiring unit 202d to the route information for each boarding section generated by the route searching unit 202c. Guidance information may be generated. Further, the route guidance information generation unit 202f associates the route information for each boarding section generated by the route search unit 202c with the index information based on the congestion rate between stopping points acquired by the congestion information acquisition unit 202d. You may generate|occur|produce the route guidance information which attached. Further, the route guidance information generation unit 202f associates the route information for each boarding section generated by the route search unit 202c with the index information based on the congestion rate for each boarding section acquired by the congestion information acquisition unit 202d. route guidance information may be generated. In addition, the route guidance information generation unit 202f plots the transfer route of the transportation system based on the route information generated by the route search unit 202c on the vertical axis, and the predetermined time period including the departure time included in the transfer search condition on the horizontal axis. Route guidance information may be generated in which index information based on the congestion rate between stop points acquired by the congestion information acquisition unit 202d is displayed on the graph. In addition, the route guidance information generation unit 202f creates a graph in which the vertical axis is the transfer route of the transportation system based on the route information generated by the route search unit 202c and the horizontal axis is the vehicle number. Route guidance information may be generated that displays index information based on the congestion rate of each vehicle. Further, the route guidance information may further include map information related to a map containing transfer routes and/or guidance routes stored in the map information database 206d. Further, the route guidance information may further include guidance information output on the transfer route and/or the guidance route stored in the guidance information database 206e.

Then, the route guidance information transmitting section 202g of the navigation server 200 transmits the route guidance information generated by the route guidance information generating section 202f to the terminal device 100 (step SA-11). Here, the route guidance information transmission unit 202g may further transmit the comparison result and the notification information to the terminal device 100 when the comparison result and the notification information are generated by the comparison unit 202e.

Then, the route guidance information receiving section 102c of the terminal device 100 receives the route guidance information transmitted from the navigation server 200, and stores the received route guidance information in the route guidance information file 106a (step SA-12). Here, when receiving the comparison result and the notification information from the navigation server 200, the route guidance information receiving unit 102c may store the comparison result and the notification information in the route guidance information file 106a.

Then, the route guidance information display unit 102d of the terminal device 100 causes the display unit 114 to display the route guidance information stored in the route guidance information file 106a (step SA-13), and terminates the process. Here, when the route guidance information stored in the route guidance information file 106a includes route information related to a plurality of different transfer routes, the route guidance information display unit 102d further displays the route guidance information stored in the route guidance information file 106a. Based on the comparison result, if there is a transfer route with a lower congestion rate than the transfer route based on the route information displayed on the display unit 114, the notification information stored in the route guidance information file 106a may be displayed on the display unit 114. . Here, the notification information may be a button widget for inputting a display switching instruction to the transfer route with the lowest congestion rate. Further, when the route guidance information stored in the route guidance information file 106a includes route information regarding a plurality of different transfer routes, the route guidance information display unit 102d displays the route information and the congestion information stored in the route guidance information file 106a. You may make the display part 114 tab-display the route guidance information including and for every transfer route. Further, the route guidance information display unit 102d further displays the route information contained in the route guidance information stored in the route guidance information file 106a on the map information contained in the route guidance information stored in the route guidance information file 106a. And/or route guidance may be executed by superimposing the current location information of the user of the terminal device 100 acquired by the current location information acquisition unit 102a and displaying it on the display unit 114. FIG. Here, the route guidance information display unit 102d may execute route guidance when the user inputs a route guidance start request via the input unit 118 . The route guidance information display unit 102d may cause the display unit 114 to display display guidance information included in the route guidance information stored in the route guidance information file 106a. Further, the route guidance information display unit 102d may output voice information corresponding to the display (such as voice guidance information included in the route guidance information stored in the route guidance information file 106a) through the voice output unit 116. .

Here, an example of route guidance display according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 and 4 are diagrams showing examples of display screens in this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the route guidance information display unit 102d displays a walking route from home to Myama Station, a transfer route from Myama Station to O Michi Station via Mukuro Station and Sya Station, and Congestion display 1 including index information based on the congestion rate of each boarding section, and congestion rate between stops (stations) The display unit 114 is caused to display the route guidance information including the congestion display 2 which is the index information. Here, in the congestion display 1, centering on the transfer route at the time specified by the user (if not specified, the current time), the transfer routes before and after are displayed as "one before, two before." , 3 trains before, and 4 trains before" or "1 train after, 2 after, 3 after, and 4 after". In this way, the upper part of the congestion display 1 is displayed so that the departure time can be changed by scrolling, and it is possible to grasp how crowded the trains ahead of them are in the list. Further, by moving the scroll bar via the input unit 118 by the user, the navigation result (route information) corresponding to each departure time is displayed below in conjunction with the change of the departure time. In addition, in the congestion display 1, the degree of congestion, which is index information based on the congestion rate of each boarding section, is displayed at the bottom of the notation in order of front and back. The degree of congestion is character information related to characters (“mixed,” “full,” or “empty”) whose color is also changed based on the congestion rate of each boarding section included in the transfer route. In addition, the route guidance information display unit 102d displays detailed route information regarding the transfer route selected in the congestion display 1 in the congestion display 2, and displays the congestion rate based on the congestion rate between stations in the boarding section. Display index information. In this way, it is possible to see the details of the average occupancy rate, for example, for a certain boarding section, only one station is very busy and "full", but the other stations are very busy. When the state is "empty", it can be determined that the average congestion rate is "congested" and the passenger should wait for one station section before boarding. On the other hand, the average congestion rate is "congested" even when it is always "congested" between stations in a certain boarding section, so the user can freely judge which one is better compared to the above example.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the route guidance information display unit 102d displays a walking route from home to Myama Station, a transfer route from Myama Station to Michi Station via Mokuro Station and Sya Station, In addition, route information related to the route including the walking route from O Road Station to N Co., Ltd., congestion display 1 including index information based on the congestion rate for each boarding section, and index information based on the congestion rate for each boarding section. The display unit 114 is caused to display the route guidance information including congestion display 3 . Here, since the congestion display 3 is displayed so as to match the congestion display 1, the congestion display 3 indicates which boarding section the display of the congestion rate displayed in the congestion display 1 corresponds to. can be easily verified.

Here, an example of the congestion display 1 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 and 6 are diagrams showing an example of the congestion display 1 in this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, instead of the character information shown in FIG. 3, the congestion display 1 includes rectangles that are index information based on the congestion rate for each boarding section of the transfer route and that become darker as the congestion rate increases. graphic information (for example, symbol information, etc.) may be included. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, instead of the character information shown in FIG. Circular graphic information may be included. By doing so, even when there are many boarding sections, it is possible to display them compactly.

An example of congestion display according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 and 8 are diagrams showing an example of congestion display in this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the route guidance information display unit 102d has a railroad transfer route on the vertical axis and a time zone on the horizontal axis that includes the departure times of all trains departing before or after the departure time (for example, the current time). The display unit 114 displays route guidance information in which index information based on the congestion rate between stations is displayed on the axis graph, and slide bar widgets for changing the time zone. Here, the route guidance information display unit 102d may display the congestion detail display shown in FIG. 7 as the route information transition destination regarding the transfer route shown in FIG. 3 and the like. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the transfer routes are displayed side by side for a predetermined period of time including the departure time specified by the user, and the congestion rate between stations included in each boarding section is displayed side by side as one grid. I am letting By doing so, it is possible to check the congestion rate of each transfer route in detail and to check the preferred departure time. Further, when the slide bar shown in FIG. 7 is moved in the plus (+) or minus (-) direction by the user via the input unit 118, the displayed time zone (the range of the horizontal axis shown in FIG. 7) can be changed. , may be narrowed or widened. By doing so, more detailed display is possible.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, the route guidance information display unit 102d displays the index information based on the congestion rate of each vehicle on a graph in which the vertical axis is the railway transfer route and the horizontal axis is the vehicle number. Guidance information is displayed on the display unit 114 . In this way, by displaying the degree of congestion of each vehicle, it is possible to make boarding on the selected transfer route more comfortable. Here, the route guidance information display unit 102d may further display the location of stairs and elevators used for transfer.

An example of tab display in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of congestion display in this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the route guidance information includes route information on a plurality of different transfer routes (transfer route A and transfer route B), the route guidance information display unit 102d displays the railway transfer routes on the vertical axis. , and change the route guidance information and the time zone that displays the index information based on the congestion rate between stations on the graph whose horizontal axis is the time zone that includes the departure time of all trains that depart around the departure time. The widget of the slide bar to be displayed is tab-displayed on the display unit 114 for each transfer route. That is, when there are a plurality of different transfer routes (transfer route A and transfer route B), the route guidance information display unit 102d can switch the display to another candidate route (transfer route A or transfer route B). It is displayed in tab format like this. Here, as shown in FIG. 9, the route guidance information display unit 102d further displays a time gauge widget, and when the user slides the time gauge via the input unit 118, the user actually gets on route can be determined. By doing so, it becomes possible to display a detailed transfer route (for example, FIG. 3, etc.) again after changing the time.

An example of notification information in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 and 11 are diagrams showing an example of congestion display in this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 10, the route guidance information display unit 102d displays a graph in which the vertical axis is the railway transfer route A and the horizontal axis is the time zone including the departure times of all trains departing before or after the departure time. When the display unit 114 displays the route guidance information displaying the index information based on the congestion rate between stations, the time gauge widget, and the slide bar widget for changing the time period, the user enters the input unit 118. and when there is another transfer route B with a lower congestion rate than the selected transfer route A, display switching instruction to transfer route B with the lowest congestion rate By displaying notification information 4, which is a widget of a button (“route before or after”) for inputting , on display unit 114, browsing of other candidate routes may be prompted. As shown in FIG. 11, when the user selects the button shown in FIG. Change the route guidance information, time gauge widget, and time zone that displays index information based on the congestion rate between stations on a graph with the time zone including the departure time of all departing trains on the horizontal axis. A slide bar widget is displayed on the display unit 114 . By doing so, even in a display that is difficult to compare at first glance, it is possible to efficiently compare with other candidate routes by making suggestions.

This concludes the description of an example of the processing of the navigation system according to the first embodiment.

[Second embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention (navigation server 200 (server-driven type)) will be described below with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. FIG. Here, FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the navigation server 200 according to the second embodiment, and conceptually shows only those portions of the configuration related to the present invention.

In the second embodiment, the navigation 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 display unit 114 of the terminal device 100 can be displayed. 114 is functioning. Thus, the second embodiment differs from the other embodiments in that the navigation server 200 performs server-led processing.

[Configuration of navigation server 200 (server-driven type)]
First, an example of the configuration of the navigation server 200 (server-led type) in the second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 12, a navigation 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 audio output unit 116), an input unit 118, and a control unit 102. communicably connected to the terminal device 100 and includes at least a control unit 202 and a storage unit 206 . The communication includes, by way of example, remote communication such as wired/wireless communication via the network 300 . Further, each part of the navigation server 200 and the terminal device 100 are connected via an arbitrary communication path so as to be able to communicate with each other.

In FIG. 12, the navigation server 200 receives the route search request transmitted from the terminal device 100, and based on the route search request, sets the departure time of the transportation system, the starting stop point of the transportation system, and the destination stop point of the transportation system. using network information to search for a transit route from a departure stop point to a destination stop point, which departs in a predetermined time period that includes the departure time included in the transfer search condition, and Generating route information about a transfer route, acquiring congestion information about traffic congestion on the transfer route, generating display information including route guidance information including the route information and the congestion information, and output control including the display information By transmitting information to the terminal device 100, it has a function of displaying the output control information on the display unit 114 of the terminal device 100, and the like.

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

In FIG. 12, the control unit 202 has an internal memory for storing a control program such as an OS, programs defining various processing procedures, and required data. Then, the control unit 202 performs information processing for executing various processes using these programs and the like. The control unit 202 functionally conceptually includes a route search request reception unit 202a, a transfer search condition acquisition unit 202b, a route search unit 202c, a congestion information acquisition unit 202d, a comparison unit 202e, a route guidance information generation unit 202f, and a current position information acquisition unit. It includes a unit 202h, a display information generation unit 202i, and an output control unit 202j. The functions of the route search request receiving unit 202a, the transfer search condition acquiring unit 202b, the route searching unit 202c, the congestion information acquiring unit 202d, the comparing unit 202e, and the route guidance information generating unit 202f are the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the description is omitted.

Among these, the current location information acquisition unit 202h is a current location information acquisition unit that acquires the current location information of the user of the terminal device 100 . Here, the current location information acquisition unit 202h acquires the current location information of the user of the terminal device 100 at predetermined intervals (for example, every second or every three minutes), that is, at predetermined intervals. good. Further, the current location information acquisition unit 202h receives from the terminal device 100 the location information signal received from the location transmission device 500 by the location acquisition unit 112 of the terminal device 100, and obtains the location information calculated from the location information signal. It may be acquired as the current location information of 100 users. In addition, the current position information acquisition unit 202h receives position information such as position coordinates of the current position input by the user via the input unit 118 of the terminal device 100, and transmits the position information to the user of the terminal device 100. may be obtained as current location information.

Also, the display information generating unit 202i is display information generating means for generating display information. Here, the display information generation unit 202i may generate display information including route guidance information. Moreover, the display information generation unit 202i may further generate display information including notification information when the route guidance information includes route information regarding a plurality of different transfer routes. In addition, when the route guidance information includes route information relating to a plurality of different transfer routes, the display information generation unit 202i may generate display information for tab-displaying the route guidance information for each transfer route. Moreover, the display information generation unit 202i may further generate display information including the current location information of the user of the terminal device 100 . Here, the display information may be information to be displayed on the display unit 114 of the terminal device 100 (for example, an image, text information, or a display screen).

The output control unit 202j is output control means for transmitting output control information including display information to the terminal device 100 to output the output control information via the output unit of the terminal device 100. FIG. Here, the output control unit 202j may cause the display unit 114 of the terminal device 100 to display the output control information by transmitting the output control information including the display information to the terminal device 100 . In addition, when the route guidance information includes route information about a plurality of different transfer routes, and based on the comparison result, the output control unit 202j determines that there is a transfer route with a lower congestion rate than the transfer route based on the route information to be displayed. In this case, by transmitting output control information including display information including route guidance information and notification information to the terminal device 100, the output control information may be displayed on the display unit 114 of the terminal device 100. FIG. Further, when the route guidance information includes route information relating to a plurality of different transfer routes, the output control unit 202j transmits to the terminal device 100 output control information including display information for tab-displaying the route guidance information for each transfer route. Accordingly, the output control information may be displayed on the display unit 114 of the terminal device 100. FIG. Further, when a route guidance start request is input via the input unit 118 of the terminal device 100, the output control unit 202j transmits the output control information including the display information to the terminal device 100. may be displayed on the display unit 114 of the terminal device 100 to perform route guidance. Further, the output control unit 202j 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, thereby Voice guidance may be executed by outputting the control information via the voice output unit 116 of the terminal device 100 .

This completes the description of an example of the configuration of the navigation server 200 according to the second embodiment.

[Processing of navigation server 200 (server-driven type)]
Next, an example of processing of the navigation server 200 according to the second embodiment configured as described above will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing an example of processing of the navigation server 200 in the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 13, first, the control unit 102 of the terminal device 100 is operated by the user via the input unit 118 to search for a route including a departure point, a destination, the departure time of the departure point, walking, and transportation. When the conditions are entered, a route search request including the route search conditions is transmitted to the navigation server 200 (step SB-1). Here, if the departure point is the current position of the user of the terminal device 100, the control unit 102 further transmits the route search request including the position information signal received from the position transmission device 500 by the position acquisition unit 112 to the navigation server. 200.

Then, the route search request receiving unit 202a of the navigation server 200 receives the route search request transmitted from the terminal device 100, and includes the route search condition included in the route search request, which is the closest transportation facility to the departure point. The stop point is set as the departure stop point, and the stop point of the nearest means of transport to the destination is set as the target stop point (step SB-2). Here, when the route search request received from the terminal device 100 by the route search request receiving unit 202a includes a position information signal, the current position information acquisition unit 202h calculates position information from the position information signal, and calculates the position information. Information is acquired as the current location information of the user of the terminal device 100 . Then, the route search request receiving unit 202a sets the current location of the user of the terminal device 100 based on the current location information acquired by the current location information acquiring unit 202h as the starting point.

Here, the processing of steps SB-3 through SB-10 in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 13 is the same as the processing of steps SA-3 through SA-10 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, the explanation is omitted.

Then, the display information generation unit 202i of the navigation server 200 generates display information including the route guidance information generated by the route guidance information generation unit 202f (step SB-11). Here, when the route guidance information generated by the route guidance information generation unit 202f includes route information regarding a plurality of different transfer routes, the display information generation unit 202i further includes the notification information generated by the comparison unit 202e. Display information may be generated. Further, when the route guidance information generated by the route guidance information generation unit 202f includes route information related to a plurality of different transfer routes, the display information generation unit 202i generates display information for tab-displaying the route guidance information for each transfer route. may be generated. Further, the display information generation unit 202i further displays the route information contained in the route guidance information generated by the route guidance information generation unit 202f on the map information contained in the route guidance information generated by the route guidance information generation unit 202f. and/or display information may be generated in which the current location information of the user of the terminal device 100 acquired by the current location information acquiring unit 202h is superimposed. Moreover, the display information generation unit 202i may further generate display information including display guidance information included in the route guidance information generated by the route guidance information generation unit 202f.

Then, the output control unit 202j of the navigation server 200 transmits the output control information including the display information generated by the display information generation unit 202i to the terminal device 100, thereby transmitting the output control information to the display unit of the terminal device 100. 114 (step SB-12), and the process ends. Here, when the route guidance information generated by the route guidance information generation unit 202f includes route information regarding a plurality of different transfer routes, and based on the comparison result generated by the comparison unit 202e, the output control unit 202j If there is a transfer route with a lower congestion rate than the transfer route based on the route information displayed on the display unit 114 of the terminal device 100, display information including route guidance information and notification information generated by the display information generation unit 202i is included. By transmitting the output control information to the terminal device 100 , the output control information may be displayed on the display unit 114 of the terminal device 100 . In addition, when the route guidance information generated by the route guidance information generation unit 202f includes route information related to a plurality of different transfer routes, the output control unit 202j outputs the route guidance information generated by the display information generation unit 202i to the route guidance information. The output control information may be displayed on the display unit 114 of the terminal device 100 by transmitting to the terminal device 100 output control information including display information to be tab-displayed for each route. In addition, the output control unit 202j further generates output control information including display information generated by the display information generation unit 202i when the user inputs a route guidance start request via the input unit 118 of the terminal device 100. to the terminal device 100 to display the output control information on the display unit 114 of the terminal device 100, thereby executing route guidance. In addition, the output control unit 202j further transmits output control information including voice information corresponding to the display information (for example, voice guidance information included in the route guidance information generated by the route guidance information generation unit 202f) to the terminal device 100. , the output control information may be output via the audio output unit 116 of the terminal device 100, thereby executing audio guidance.

This concludes the explanation of an example of the processing of the navigation server 200 according to the second embodiment.

[Third embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment (navigation device 400 (standalone type)) of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. Here, FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the navigation device 400 according to the third embodiment, and conceptually shows only those portions of the configuration related to the present invention.

In the third embodiment, all functions are integrated into the navigation device 400, transfer search conditions including the departure time of the transportation system, the departure stop point of the transportation system, and the destination stop point of the transportation system are acquired, Using network information, search for a transfer route of transportation from a starting stop point to a destination stop point that departs in a predetermined time period including the departure time included in the transfer search condition, and generate route information about the transfer route. , acquires congestion information about traffic congestion on a transfer route, and displays route guidance information including the route information and the congestion information on the display unit 414 . Thus, the third embodiment differs from the other embodiments in that the navigation device 400 is configured as a stand-alone type and performs processing independently.

[Configuration of navigation device 400 (standalone type)]
First, an example of the configuration of a navigation device 400 (standalone type) according to the third embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 14, a navigation device 400 according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a position acquisition unit 412, an output unit (a display unit 414 and an audio output unit 416), an input unit 418, a control unit 402, and a storage unit 406. and at least. Each unit of the navigation device 400 may be communicably connected via any communication path. The navigation device 400 may be, for example, various navigation terminals such as a PND (Portable Navigation Device), various information processing devices such as a notebook personal computer, or mobile terminal devices such as a mobile phone, PHS, PDA, or the like. . Also, the navigation device 400 may be communicably connected to an external device via the network 300 via a communication control interface unit (not shown).

In FIG. 14, the functions of an input/output control interface unit 408, a position acquisition unit 412, a display unit 414, an audio output unit 416, and an input unit 418 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted. Each part of the storage part 406 (network information database 406a, traffic information database 406b, congestion information database 406c, map information database 406d, guidance information database 406e, etc.) is also provided in the navigation device 400 instead of the navigation server 200. Since each function is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the function is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

Each part of the control unit 402 has basically the same functions as those of the first embodiment, except that the navigation device 400 of the present embodiment is a standalone type and the control unit 402 does not include each transmission unit. is similar to

In FIG. 14, the control unit 402 has an internal memory for storing control programs such as an OS, programs defining various processing procedures, and required data. Then, the control unit 402 performs information processing for executing various processes using these programs and the like. The control unit 402 functionally conceptually includes a current position information acquisition unit 402a, a route search request acquisition unit 402b, a transfer search condition acquisition unit 402c, a route search unit 402d, a congestion information acquisition unit 402e, a comparison unit 402f, and a route guidance information generation unit. A section 402g and a route guidance information display section 402h.

Among these, the current position information acquisition unit 402 a is a current position information acquisition unit that acquires the current position information of the user of the navigation device 400 . Here, the current location information acquisition unit 402a may acquire the current location information of the user of the navigation device 400 at predetermined intervals (for example, every second or every three minutes). Further, the current position information acquisition unit 402 a may acquire position information calculated from the position information signal received from the position transmission device 500 by the position acquisition unit 412 as the current position information of the user of the navigation device 400 .

Further, the current position information acquisition unit 402a may acquire position information such as position coordinates of the current position input by the user via the input unit 418 as the current position information of the user of the navigation device 400. FIG. Here, the current position based on the current position information input by the user via the input unit 418 may be a position where the user actually exists, or a virtual current position arbitrarily selected by the user. (For example, it may be an arbitrary point such as a station or airport in Osaka selected by a user in Tokyo). For example, the current position information acquisition unit 402a designates on the display screen based on the map information displayed on the display unit 414 to the user via the input unit 418 (for example, a designation operation on the touch panel type display unit 414). You may acquire the coordinate which let the user of the navigation apparatus 400 present position information.

The route search request acquisition unit 402b is route search request acquisition means for acquiring a route search request. Here, the route search request includes a starting point, a destination, a waypoint, means of transportation (for example, using transportation, walking, using a bicycle, or using a car), departure time, transit time, arrival time, and/or Alternatively, route search conditions including dates and the like may be included. Here, the departure point may be the current position of the user of the navigation device 400 . In addition, the route search request acquisition unit 402b may set, as the departure stop point, the stop point of the nearest transportation system to the departure point included in the route search condition included in the route search request. Further, the route search request acquisition unit 402b may set, as the target stop point, a stop point of a transportation system closest to the destination included in the route search condition included in the route search request. Also, the departure time may be the current time or the like. Also, the route search condition may be input by the user via the input unit 418 .

The transfer search condition acquisition unit 402c is transfer search condition acquisition means for acquiring transfer search conditions. Here, the transfer search condition may include the departure time of the transportation, the departure stop point of the transportation, and the destination stop point of the transportation. The transfer search condition acquisition unit 402c obtains the departure time of the transportation system based on the departure stop point, the traffic information stored in the traffic information database 406b, and the departure time of the departure point included in the route search conditions included in the route search request. may be set. For example, the transfer search condition acquisition unit 402c, based on the required time such as the straight distance from the departure point to the departure stop point, the traffic information stored in the traffic information database 406b, and the departure time of the departure point, You can set the time. In addition, the transfer search condition acquisition unit 402c acquires route information related to the guidance route from the departure point to the departure/stop point of the transportation system included in the route search conditions included in the route search request generated by the control unit 402, and the traffic information. The departure time of transportation may be set based on the traffic information stored in the information database 406b.

In addition, the route search unit 402d selects a transportation transfer route from the departure stop point of the transportation system to the destination stop point of the transportation system, which departs in a predetermined time period including the departure time of the transportation system included in the transfer search condition, A route searching means for searching using the network information stored in the network information database 406a and generating route information regarding the transfer route. Here, the route searching unit 402d may further search for a transfer route based on the traffic information stored in the traffic information database 406b. For example, the route search unit 402d may search for a transfer route using network information stored in the network information database 406a based on traffic information stored in the traffic information database 406b. In addition, the route search unit 402d provides a guidance route (for example, walking route, etc.) from the departure point (for example, home, etc.) included in the route search condition included in the route search request to the starting stop point of the transportation system, and A guidance route (for example, a walking route, etc.) from a destination stopping point of a transportation system to a destination (for example, a company, etc.) included in a route search condition included in a route search request is stored in the network information database 406a. A search may be performed using the information to generate route information regarding the guidance route. Further, when the route search condition includes a waypoint, the route search unit 402d may search for a transfer route or guidance route via the waypoint.

Also, the congestion information acquisition unit 402e is a congestion information acquisition unit that acquires, from the congestion information database 406c, congestion information about traffic congestion on the transfer route searched by the route search unit 402d. Here, the congestion information acquisition unit 402e may acquire the congestion rate for each transfer route searched by the route search unit 402d from the congestion information database 406c. Also, the congestion information acquisition unit 402e may acquire from the congestion information database 406c the congestion rate for each boarding section included in the transfer route searched by the route search unit 402d. Also, the congestion information acquisition unit 402e may acquire from the congestion information database 406c the congestion rate for each stop point of transportation included in the transfer route searched by the route search unit 402d. Also, the congestion information acquisition unit 402e may acquire from the congestion information database 406c the congestion rate for each vehicle between stop points of transportation facilities included in the transfer route searched by the route search unit 402d.

The comparison unit 402f is a comparison unit that compares the congestion rates between the plurality of different transfer routes acquired by the congestion information acquisition unit 402e when the route search unit 402d searches for a plurality of different transfer routes. Here, the comparison unit 402f may further generate a comparison result based on the comparison. Moreover, the comparison unit 402f may further generate notification information to the effect that there is another transfer route with a low congestion rate.

Further, the route guidance information generation unit 402g is route guidance information generation means for generating route guidance information. Here, the route guidance information generation unit 402g may generate route guidance information including the route information generated by the route search unit 402d and the congestion information acquired by the congestion information acquisition unit 402e. The route guidance information generation unit 402g also generates route guidance information in which the route information generated by the route search unit 402d is associated with index information based on the congestion rate of each boarding section acquired by the congestion information acquisition unit 402e. may be generated. In addition, the route guidance information generating unit 402g generates a route information by arranging the index information based on the congestion rate between the stopping points acquired by the congestion information acquiring unit 402e in the route information for each boarding section generated by the route searching unit 402d. Guidance information may be generated. Further, the route guidance information generation unit 402g associates the route information for each boarding section generated by the route search unit 402d with index information based on the congestion rate between stop points acquired by the congestion information acquisition unit 402e. You may generate|occur|produce the route guidance information which attached. Further, the route guidance information generating unit 402g associates the route information for each boarding section generated by the route searching unit 402d with the index information based on the congestion rate for each boarding section acquired by the congestion information acquiring unit 402e. route guidance information may be generated. In addition, the route guidance information generation unit 402g plots the transfer route of the transportation system based on the route information generated by the route search unit 402d on the vertical axis, and the predetermined time period including the departure time included in the transfer search condition on the horizontal axis. Route guidance information may be generated in which index information based on the congestion rate between stop points acquired by the congestion information acquiring unit 402e is displayed on the graph. In addition, the route guidance information generation unit 402g plots a transfer route of transportation based on the route information generated by the route search unit 402d on the vertical axis and the number of the vehicle on the horizontal axis. Route guidance information may be generated that displays index information based on the congestion rate of each vehicle. Also, the route guidance information may further include map information relating to maps containing transfer routes and/or guidance routes stored in the map information database 406d. In addition, the route guidance information may further include guidance information (display guidance information, voice guidance information, etc.) output on the transfer route and/or the guidance route stored in the guidance information database 406e. .

The route guidance information display unit 402h is route guidance information output means for causing the display unit 414 to display the route guidance information. Here, the route guidance information display unit 402h further determines that when the route guidance information includes route information on a plurality of different transfer routes, and based on the comparison result, the congestion rate is lower than that of the transfer route based on the route information to be displayed. If there is a transfer route, the notification information may be displayed on the display unit 414 . Further, when the route guidance information includes route information relating to a plurality of different transfer routes, the route guidance information display unit 402h causes the display unit 414 to display the route guidance information including the route information and the congestion information in tabs for each transfer route. may Further, the route guidance information display unit 402h may cause the display unit 414 to display the current location information of the user of the navigation device 400. FIG. Further, the route guidance information display unit 402h may execute route guidance by causing the display unit 414 to display the route guidance information. Here, when a route guidance start request is input via the input unit 418, the route guidance information display unit 402h may execute route guidance. Further, the route guidance information display unit 402h may cause the voice output unit 416 to output voice information corresponding to the display (such as voice guidance information included in the route guidance information).

This completes the description of an example of the configuration of the navigation device 400 according to the third embodiment.

[Processing of navigation device 400 (standalone type)]
Next, an example of processing of the navigation device 400 according to the third embodiment configured as described above will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing an example of processing of the navigation device 400 in the third embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 15, first, the route search request acquisition unit 402b receives route search conditions including a departure point, a destination, a departure time from the departure point, walking, and use of public transportation by the user via the input unit 418. If a route search request containing A stop point of a transportation system is set as a target stop point (Step SC-1). Here, the starting point may be the current position of the user of the navigation device 400 based on the current position information acquired by the current position information acquisition unit 402a.

Then, the route search unit 402d uses the starting point (for example, home) included in the route search condition included in the route search request acquired by the route search request acquisition unit 402b as set by the route search request acquisition unit 402b. Based on the traffic information stored in the traffic information database 406b, the network information stored in the network information database 406a is used to search for a guidance route (for example, a walking route) to the departure and stop point of the transportation system. Route information relating to the guidance route is generated (step SC-2). Here, if the route search condition further includes a waypoint, the route search unit 402d may search for a guidance route that passes through the waypoint.

Then, the transfer search condition acquisition unit 402c acquires route information (for example, arrival time at the departure/stop point, etc.) related to the guidance route from the departure point generated by the route search unit 402d to the departure/stop point of the transportation system, and traffic information. Based on the traffic information (for example, timetable information of transportation) stored in the database 406b, the departure time of the transportation is set, and the departure time of the transportation and the traffic set by the route search request acquisition unit 402b are calculated. Transfer search conditions including the departure stop point of the vehicle and the target stop point of the transportation system set by the route search request acquisition unit 402b are acquired (step SC-3).

Then, the route search unit 402d determines the target stop of the transportation system from the departure stop point of the transportation system that departs in a predetermined time period including the departure time of the transportation system included in the transfer search condition acquired by the transfer search condition acquisition unit 402c. A transfer route of transportation to a point is searched using network information stored in the network information database 406a based on traffic information (for example, timetable information of transportation) stored in the traffic information database 406b. , generates route information for a plurality of different travel time periods regarding the transfer route, and obtains the destination ( For example, a guidance route (e.g., a walking route, etc.) to a company, etc.) is searched using the network information stored in the network information database 406a based on the traffic information stored in the traffic information database 406b. Route information about the route is generated (step SC-4). Here, if the route search condition further includes a waypoint, the route search unit 402d may search for a transfer route or guidance route that passes through the waypoint.

Then, the congestion information acquisition unit 402e acquires the congestion rate for each transfer route searched by the route search unit 402d from the congestion information database 406c (step SC-5). Here, the congestion information acquisition unit 402e may acquire from the congestion information database 406c the congestion rate for each boarding section included in the transfer route searched by the route search unit 402d. Also, the congestion information acquisition unit 402e may acquire from the congestion information database 406c the congestion rate for each stop point of transportation included in the transfer route searched by the route search unit 402d. Also, the congestion information acquisition unit 402e may acquire from the congestion information database 406c the congestion rate for each vehicle between stop points of transportation facilities included in the transfer route searched by the route search unit 402d.

Then, the control unit 402 determines whether or not a plurality of different transfer routes have been searched by the route search unit 402d (step SC-6).

Then, when the control unit 402 determines in step SC-6 that a plurality of different transfer routes have not been searched (step SC-6: No), the route guidance information generating unit 402g generates Route guidance information including the route information of the plurality of different travel time zones obtained and the congestion information acquired by the congestion information acquisition unit 402e is generated (step SC-7). Here, the route guidance information generation unit 402g provides route guidance in which the route information generated by the route search unit 402d and the index information based on the congestion rate of each boarding section acquired by the congestion information acquisition unit 402e are associated with each other. information may be generated. In addition, the route guidance information generating unit 402g generates a route information by arranging the index information based on the congestion rate between the stopping points acquired by the congestion information acquiring unit 402e in the route information for each boarding section generated by the route searching unit 402d. Guidance information may be generated. Further, the route guidance information generation unit 402g associates the route information for each boarding section generated by the route search unit 402d with index information based on the congestion rate between stop points acquired by the congestion information acquisition unit 402e. You may generate|occur|produce the route guidance information which attached. Further, the route guidance information generating unit 402g associates the route information for each boarding section generated by the route searching unit 402d with the index information based on the congestion rate for each boarding section acquired by the congestion information acquiring unit 402e. route guidance information may be generated. In addition, the route guidance information generation unit 402g plots the transfer route of the transportation system based on the route information generated by the route search unit 402d on the vertical axis, and the predetermined time period including the departure time included in the transfer search condition on the horizontal axis. Route guidance information may be generated in which index information based on the congestion rate between stop points acquired by the congestion information acquiring unit 402e is displayed on the graph. In addition, the route guidance information generation unit 402g plots a transfer route of transportation based on the route information generated by the route search unit 402d on the vertical axis and the number of the vehicle on the horizontal axis. Route guidance information may be generated that displays index information based on the congestion rate of each vehicle. Also, the route guidance information may further include map information relating to maps containing transfer routes and/or guidance routes stored in the map information database 406d. In addition, the route guidance information may further include guidance information (display guidance information, voice guidance information, etc.) output on the transfer route and/or the guidance route stored in the guidance information database 406e. .

On the other hand, if it is determined in step SC-6 that a plurality of different transfer routes have been searched by the control unit 402 (step SC-6: Yes), the comparison unit 402f are compared, and the result of the comparison and notification information to the effect that there is another transfer route with a low congestion rate are generated (step SC-8).

Then, the route guidance information generation unit 402g generates route information of a plurality of different travel time zones regarding a plurality of different transfer routes generated by the route search unit 402d, and the congestion information acquired by the congestion information acquisition unit 402e. route guidance information is generated (step SC-9). Here, the route guidance information generation unit 402g provides route guidance in which the route information generated by the route search unit 402d and the index information based on the congestion rate of each boarding section acquired by the congestion information acquisition unit 402e are associated with each other. information may be generated. In addition, the route guidance information generating unit 402g generates a route information by arranging the index information based on the congestion rate between the stopping points acquired by the congestion information acquiring unit 402e in the route information for each boarding section generated by the route searching unit 402d. Guidance information may be generated. Further, the route guidance information generation unit 402g associates the route information for each boarding section generated by the route search unit 402d with index information based on the congestion rate between stop points acquired by the congestion information acquisition unit 402e. You may generate|occur|produce the route guidance information which attached. Further, the route guidance information generating unit 402g associates the route information for each boarding section generated by the route searching unit 402d with the index information based on the congestion rate for each boarding section acquired by the congestion information acquiring unit 402e. route guidance information may be generated. In addition, the route guidance information generation unit 402g plots the transfer route of the transportation system based on the route information generated by the route search unit 402d on the vertical axis, and the predetermined time period including the departure time included in the transfer search condition on the horizontal axis. Route guidance information may be generated in which index information based on the congestion rate between stop points acquired by the congestion information acquiring unit 402e is displayed on the graph. In addition, the route guidance information generation unit 402g plots a transfer route of transportation based on the route information generated by the route search unit 402d on the vertical axis and the number of the vehicle on the horizontal axis. Route guidance information may be generated that displays index information based on the congestion rate of each vehicle. Also, the route guidance information may further include map information relating to maps containing transfer routes and/or guidance routes stored in the map information database 406d. Further, the route guidance information may further include guidance information output on the transfer route and/or the guidance route stored in the guidance information database 406e.

Then, the route guidance information display unit 402h causes the display unit 414 to display the route guidance information generated by the route guidance information generation unit 402g (step SC-10), and terminates the process. Here, when the route guidance information generated by the route guidance information generation unit 402g includes route information regarding a plurality of different transfer routes, the route guidance information display unit 402h further displays the comparison result generated by the comparison unit 402f. Based on the result, if there is a transfer route with a lower congestion rate than the transfer route based on the route information displayed on the display unit 414, the notification information generated by the comparison unit 402f may be displayed on the display unit 414. Further, when the route guidance information generated by the route guidance information generation unit 402g includes route information regarding a plurality of different transfer routes, the route guidance information display unit 402h displays the route information generated by the route guidance information generation unit 402g. The route guidance information including the congestion information may be displayed on the display unit 414 as a tab for each transfer route. Further, the route guidance information display unit 402h displays the route information included in the route guidance information generated by the route guidance information generation unit 402g on the map information contained in the route guidance information generated by the route guidance information generation unit 402g. Information and/or the current location information of the user of the navigation device 400 acquired by the current location information acquisition unit 402a may be superimposed and displayed on the display unit 414 to perform route guidance. Here, the route guidance information display unit 402h may execute route guidance when the user inputs a route guidance start request via the input unit 418. FIG. Further, the route guidance information display unit 402h may cause the display unit 414 to display display guidance information included in the route guidance information generated by the route guidance information generation unit 402g. In addition, the route guidance information display unit 402h may cause the voice output unit 416 to output voice information corresponding to the display (such as voice guidance information included in the route guidance information generated by the route guidance information generation unit 402g). good.

This concludes the description of an example of the processing of the navigation device 400 according to the third embodiment.

[Other embodiments]
Now, the embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, but the present invention can be implemented in various different embodiments other than the above-described embodiments within the scope of the technical idea described in the scope of claims. It may be implemented.

Further, among the processes described in the embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being automatically performed can be manually performed, or the processes described as being performed manually can be performed manually. All or part of this can also be done automatically by known methods.

In addition, unless otherwise specified, the processing procedures, control procedures, specific names, information including parameters such as registration data and search conditions for each process, screen examples, and database configurations shown in the above documents and drawings can be changed arbitrarily.

Also, with respect to the terminal device 100, the navigation server 200, and the navigation device 400, each illustrated component is functionally conceptual and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated.

For example, all or An arbitrary part may be realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a program interpreted and executed by the CPU, or may be realized as hardware by wired logic. The program is recorded on a recording medium, which will be described later, and mechanically read by the terminal device 100, the navigation server 200, and the navigation device 400 as necessary. That is, in the storage unit 106 such as a ROM or HDD, the storage unit 206, the storage unit 406, etc., a computer program for cooperating as an OS (Operating System) to give commands to the CPU and perform various processes is recorded. It is This computer program is executed by being loaded into the RAM and constitutes a control section in cooperation with the CPU.

Also, this computer program may be stored in an application program server connected to the terminal device 100, the navigation server 200, and the navigation device 400 via an arbitrary network 300. Or you can download part of it.

Moreover, 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 term "recording medium" means memory card, USB memory, SD card, flexible disk, magneto-optical disk, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM (registered trademark), CD-ROM, MO, DVD, and Blu-ray (Registered Trademark) Any “portable physical media” such as Discs shall be included.

A "program" is a data processing method written in any language or writing method, regardless of the format such as source code or binary code. Note that the "program" is not necessarily limited to a single component, but may be distributed as multiple modules or libraries, or cooperating with a separate program represented by an OS (Operating System). It also includes things that accomplish a function. It should be noted that well-known configurations and procedures can be used for the specific configuration for reading the recording medium, the reading procedure, the installation procedure after reading, and the like in each device shown in the embodiments.

Storage unit 106, storage unit 206, and various databases stored in storage unit 406 (route guidance information file 106a, network information database 206a, traffic information database 206b, congestion information database 206c, map information database 206d, guidance information The database 206e, the network information database 406a, the traffic information database 406b, the congestion information database 406c, the map information database 406d, and the guidance information database 406e) include memory devices such as RAM and ROM, fixed disk devices such as hard disks, flexible disks, and storage means such as an optical disc, which stores various programs, tables, databases, and web page files used for various processes and website provision.

The terminal device 100, the navigation server 200, and the navigation device 400 may be configured as information processing devices such as known personal computers and workstations, and any peripheral device may be connected to the information processing device. may be configured Also, the terminal device 100, the navigation server 200, and the navigation device 400 may be implemented by installing software (including programs, data, etc.) that causes the information processing device to implement the method of the present invention.

Furthermore, the specific form of distribution/integration of the devices is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically arranged in arbitrary units according to various additions or functional loads. It can be configured by distributing and integrating In other words, the embodiments described above may be arbitrarily combined and implemented, or the embodiments may be implemented selectively.

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, by searching for a plurality of transit routes with low congestion at one time, a result close to the user's desire is displayed, and information that allows the user to select the result closest to the user's desire. Since it is possible to provide a processing system, it is extremely useful in various fields such as information equipment for assisting navigation and information processing.

100 terminal device 102 control unit 102a current position information acquisition unit 102b route search request transmission unit 102c route guidance information reception unit 102d route guidance information display unit 104 communication control interface unit 106 storage unit 106a route guidance information file 108 input/output control interface unit 112 Position acquisition unit 114 Display unit 116 Audio output unit 118 Input unit 200 Navigation server 202 Control unit 202a Route search request reception unit 202b Transfer search condition acquisition unit 202c Route search unit 202d Congestion information acquisition unit 202e Comparison unit 202f Route guidance information generation unit 202g Route guidance information transmission unit 202h Current position information acquisition unit 202i Display information generation unit 202j Output control unit 204 Communication control interface unit 206 Storage unit 206a Network information database 206b Traffic information database 206c Congestion information database 206d Map information database 206e Guidance information database 300 Network 400 navigation device 402 control unit 402a current position information acquisition unit 402b route search request acquisition unit 402c transfer search condition acquisition unit 402d route search unit 402e congestion information acquisition unit 402f comparison unit 402g route guidance information generation unit 402h route guidance information display unit 406 storage Unit 406a Network information database 406b Traffic information database 406c Congestion information database 406d Map information database 406e Guidance information database 408 Input/output control interface unit 412 Position acquisition unit 414 Display unit 416 Voice output unit 418 Input unit 500 Position transmission device

Claims (8)

a route search means for searching for a plurality of routes with different departure times from a starting point to a destination using at least public transportation;
When a selected route is selected from the plurality of routes, route information on the selected route, congestion information from the boarding stop point to the alighting stop point for each route corresponding to the public transportation system, and the above information for each route route guidance information display means for displaying congestion information between each stop point in the boarding section from the boarding stop point to the alighting stop point ;
An information processing system comprising: In the information processing system according to claim 1,
The route guidance information display means includes:
wherein, when the selected route is selected from the plurality of routes, the congestion information for each of the stop points on the selected route is displayed in association with the boarding section display of the selected route. system. In the information processing system according to claim 1,
The route guidance information display means includes:
Further, the information processing system is characterized in that route information of the plurality of routes, including congestion information for each boarding section, is displayed in a selectable manner. the computer,
Route guidance information receiving means for receiving route information of the plurality of routes when a plurality of routes with different departure times from a departure point to a destination using at least public transportation are searched by the server;
When a selected route is selected from the plurality of routes, route information on the selected route, congestion information from the boarding stop point to the alighting stop point for each route corresponding to the public transportation system, and the above information for each route route guidance information display means for displaying congestion information between each stop point in the boarding section from the boarding stop point to the alighting stop point ;
An information processing program characterized by functioning as An information processing system composed of a plurality of computers communicatively connected,
a route search means for searching for a plurality of routes with different departure times from a starting point to a destination using at least public transportation;
When a selected route is selected from the plurality of routes, route information on the selected route, congestion information from the boarding stop point to the alighting stop point for each route corresponding to the public transportation system, and the above information for each route route guidance information display means for displaying congestion information between each stop point in the boarding section from the boarding stop point to the alighting stop point ;
Information processing program to function as a route search means for searching for a plurality of routes with different departure times from a starting point to a destination using at least public transportation;
When a selected route is selected from the plurality of routes, route information on the selected route, congestion information from the boarding stop point to the alighting stop point for each route corresponding to the public transportation system, and the above information for each route route guidance information display means for displaying congestion information between each stop point in the boarding section from the boarding stop point to the alighting stop point ;
An information processing device comprising: the computer,
A route search means for searching for a plurality of routes with different departure times from a departure point to a destination at least using public transportation;
When a selected route is selected from the plurality of routes, route information on the selected route, congestion information from the boarding stop point to the alighting stop point for each route corresponding to the public transportation system, and the above information for each route route guidance information display means for displaying congestion information between each stop point in the boarding section from the boarding stop point to the alighting stop point ;
An information processing program characterized by functioning as a step in which the route search means searches for a plurality of routes with different departure times from the departure point to the destination at least using public transportation;
When a selected route is selected from the plurality of routes, the route guidance information display means displays route information on the selected route and congestion information from the boarding stop point to the alighting stop point for each route corresponding to the public transportation system. and a step of displaying congestion information for each stop point in the boarding section from the boarding stop point to the alighting stop point for each route ;
An information processing method comprising:

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