JP7143166B2 - Information processing device, method and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to technology for processing traffic information provided from a traffic information center.

A navigation device searches for a route from a departure point to a destination using link costs given to links and node costs given to nodes corresponding to intersections. The link cost is the travel time required to pass through the link, and the node cost is the travel time required to pass through the intersection (see Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example).

In addition, the traffic information center represented by VICS (registered trademark) (Vehicle Information and Communication System) assigns a center-side link ID, which is unique identification information, to the road section of the center-side map data used by the center. Traffic information (for example, link travel time, regulation information, traffic congestion information, etc.) related to allocation and road section is provided to the navigation device in association with the link on the center side. The navigation device refers to a conversion table between the center-side link and the navigation-side link, identifies the navigation-side link corresponding to the center-side link to which the traffic information is associated, and associates the identified navigation-side link with the traffic information. are using.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-250635 JP 2004-354086 A

The latest VICS can provide the travel time for each direction of an intersection, such as going straight, turning right, or turning left, by linking it to the approach link to the intersection. However, since the navigation-side link does not have a structure that corresponds to travel times in multiple directions, simply specifying the navigation-side link corresponding to the center-side link, as was done with conventional navigation devices, does not Directional travel times provided by the information center cannot be used by the navigation device.

The present invention solves at least part of the above-described problems, and can be implemented as the following modes.

An information processing device according to an aspect of the present invention includes
An information processing device for processing direction-specific travel times provided from a traffic information center,
Acquisition means for acquiring the direction-specific travel time associated with the center-side link;
The direction-specific travel time is divided into a first travel time assigned to a navigation-side link corresponding to the center-side link and a second travel time assigned to a navigation-side node adjacent to the navigation-side link in the traveling direction. a conversion means;
a first storage means for storing the first travel time in association with the navigation-side link;
a second storage means for storing the second travel time in association with the navigation-side node;
characterized by having

1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a navigation system according to an embodiment; FIG. (a) is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the road network of the center-side intersection used by the traffic information center and the center-side link ID assigned to the road section; (b) is a diagram showing the center-side link ID_a1 FIG. 10C is a diagram showing an example of travel time by direction of 1, and (c) is a diagram showing an example of data configuration associated with center side link ID_a1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a road network of navigation-side intersections used on the navigation device side; (a) is a diagram showing a data configuration example of a navigation-side link, and (b) is a diagram showing a data configuration example of a navigation-side node. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a node cost table; It is a figure which shows the structural example of a conversion table. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation example which allocates the travel time according to direction to a navigation side link and a node. (a) is a diagram showing an example of link costs allocated to navigation-side link ID_b1, and (b) is a diagram showing an example of node costs allocated to navigation-side node ID_M2. It is a flow chart which shows an example of route guidance processing operation. It is a figure which shows the example which displayed the travel time according to direction.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, in each figure, the same reference numerals have the same or similar configurations.

<Overview of navigation system>
First, an overview of the navigation system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a navigation system according to this embodiment.

The navigation system according to the present embodiment is a system for guiding the running of a vehicle using map information, traffic information, and the like. As shown in FIG. 1, this navigation system is configured by connecting a traffic information center 100 and a navigation device 200 via a network NW. Any form of communication, whether wired or wireless, can be applied to the network NW.

The traffic information center 100 is an information processing device that provides the navigation device 200 with traffic information including information such as link travel time, regulation information, traffic congestion information, and is, for example, a VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) center.

As shown in FIG. 2(a), the traffic information center 100 allocates center-side link IDs, which are unique identification information, to road sections divided by units such as intersections. Then, the traffic information on the road section is linked to the link on the center side and distributed to the navigation device 200 via radio wave beacons, optical beacons, FM multiplex broadcasting, and the like.

FIG. 2(a) is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the center-side intersection road network used by the traffic information center and the center-side link ID. Symbols a1 to a4 and a11 to a14 denote center side links, and symbols N1 to N5 denote center side nodes. In FIG. 2A, center-side link IDs are assigned to one road section for each of the upward and downward directions. As a result, one road section having a direction can be identified based on the center-side link ID.

The traffic information center 100 includes a traffic information storage unit 101 and a traffic information distribution unit 102, as shown in FIG.

The traffic information center 100 is composed of, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and the like. The traffic information center 100 implements functional units of a traffic information storage unit 101 and a traffic information distribution unit 102 by executing programs stored in the ROM by the CPU.

The traffic information storage unit 101 stores the traffic information related to the road section in association with the center side link ID. Traffic information includes, for example, link travel time, regulation information, traffic congestion information, and the like.

The link travel time is the travel time required to pass through the road section. As shown in FIG. 2B, the link travel time of the road section connected to the intersection is the travel time for each direction of the intersection, such as going straight, turning right, and turning left.

In FIG. 2(b), the travel time in the right-turn direction is 60 seconds, the travel time in the straight-ahead direction is 40 seconds, and the travel time in the left-turn direction is 50 seconds. As shown in FIG. 2(c), this direction-specific travel time is stored in the traffic information storage unit 101 together with the center-side exit link ID in association with the center-side entrance link ID_a1. Specifically, 60 seconds, which is the travel time in the right-turn direction, and the center-side exit link ID_a2 that specifies the right-turn direction are paired and linked to the center-side entrance link ID_a1. Similarly, a straight travel time of 40 seconds and the center side exit link ID_a3 that identifies the straight direction, and a left turn travel time of 50 seconds and the center side exit link ID_a4 that identifies the left turn direction are paired. As a result, it is linked to the center side approach link ID_a1. It can be seen that the travel time by direction is the travel time by exit link as shown in FIG. 2(c).

The regulation information is information such as road closure, speed regulation, and lane regulation. The congestion information is information indicating the degree of congestion and the length of the congestion. The degree of congestion is indicated by, for example, information such as congestion, congestion, and smooth traffic. The length of the traffic jam is indicated by, for example, information on the head position of the traffic jam and the distance of the traffic jam.

The traffic information distribution unit 102 distributes traffic information stored in the traffic information storage unit 101 to the navigation device 200 .

The navigation device 200 is an information processing device that uses the navigation-side map data used by the device to guide and guide the running of the vehicle. The navigation device 200 may be an in-vehicle configuration that is used by being mounted on a vehicle, or a portable configuration that is carried and used by a user such as a mobile phone, a portable personal computer, or a smart phone. As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation device 200 includes a position information acquisition unit 201, a traffic information acquisition unit 202, a storage unit 203, a conversion unit 204, a control unit 205, a route search unit 206, a route guidance unit 207, a display unit 208, It has an input unit 209 .

The navigation device 200 is composed of, for example, ROM, RAM, and CPU. The navigation device 200 has a position information acquisition unit 201, a traffic information acquisition unit 202, a storage unit 203, a conversion unit 204, a control unit 205, and a route search unit 206 by executing a program stored in the ROM by the CPU. , a route guidance unit 207, a display unit 208, and an input unit 209 are realized.

The position information acquisition unit 201 acquires position information of the navigation device 200 . The position information acquisition unit 201 receives, for example, radio waves from GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites and information from base stations, detects the current position of the navigation device 200, and acquires the detected current position data (latitude, longitude, , height data). Height data may be acquired using an air pressure sensor or the like.

The traffic information acquisition unit 202 acquires traffic information distributed from the traffic information center 100 .

The storage unit 203 stores navigation side map data used in the navigation device 200 . The navigation-side map data consists of display map data that displays backgrounds, house shapes, notes, etc., and road network data that is used for route search and route guidance. Road network data is a data representation of connections between roads, and is composed of nodes and links. A node defines an intersection or other node of a road network, and a link defines a road section between nodes.

Here, an example of road network data for a navigation-side intersection will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. FIG. 3 shows an example of a road network of intersections on the navigation side, FIG. 4(a) shows an example of the data configuration of links on the navigation side, and FIG. 4(b) shows an example of the data configuration of nodes on the navigation side.

In FIG. 3, symbols M1 to M5 denote navigation-side nodes defining intersections, nodes, etc., and symbols b1-b4 and b11-b14 denote navigation-side links connecting the navigation-side nodes.

The navigation-side link shown in FIG. 3 is composed of data such as a navigation-side link ID, a navigation-side start node ID, a navigation-side end node ID, and a link cost, as shown in FIG. 4(a), for example. The navigation-side link ID is information that identifies the navigation-side link. The navi-side starting point node ID is information that specifies the navi-side node that is the starting point of the navi-side link. The navi-side end node ID is information that specifies the navi-side node that is the end point of the navi-side link. The link cost is the travel time required to pass the navigation-side link. The data configuration shown in FIG. 4A is an example, and includes, for example, road attributes representing various information about the section of the road corresponding to the navigation side link, the distance of the navigation side link, the direction of the navigation side link (for example, up, down, etc.), and data such as the route number of the route to which the link on the navigation side belongs. Here, as the road attributes, road types such as toll roads, national roads, and prefectural roads to which navigation-side links belong, and road widths and number of lanes of road sections corresponding to navigation-side links are described.

The navi-side node shown in FIG. 3, for example, as shown in FIG. 4(b), includes data such as a navi-side node ID, a navi-side entry link ID, a navi-side exit link ID, an angle, and a node cost. The navi-side node ID is information that identifies the navi-side node. The navigation-side entry link ID is information that identifies the navigation-side link that enters the navigation-side node. The navigation-side exit link ID is information specifying a navigation-side link exiting from the navigation-side node. The angle is information specifying the angle formed by the navigation-side entry link and the navigation-side exit link. The node cost is the travel time required to pass through the navigation side node. Node costs can be obtained using, for example, the node cost table shown in FIG. The node cost table shown in FIG. 5 is divided into six directions, and a cost (travel time) corresponding to each direction is given for each angle. The navigation device 200 refers to the node cost table shown in FIG. 5, specifies the direction corresponding to the angle formed by the approach link and the exit link for the node corresponding to the intersection, and calculates the cost (travel time) corresponding to the specified direction. ) is the node cost. For example, the angle between the navigation-side entrance link ID_b1 and the navigation-side exit link ID_b2 with respect to the navigation-side node ID_M2 shown in FIG. 3 is 90°, so referring to the node cost table shown in FIG. The node cost is 10 seconds, which is the cost (travel time) corresponding to the right turn. Thereby, a node cost can be assigned in advance to the navigation-side node corresponding to the intersection. The data structure shown in FIG. 4(b) is an example. For example, node attributes indicating whether the node on the navigation side corresponds to an intersection or an entrance/exit of a highway; It may have data such as a list of connection navigation-side link ID lists, node coordinate positions, intersection names, and the presence or absence of traffic signals.

The conversion unit 204 converts the traffic information acquired by the traffic information acquisition unit 202 into information that can be used in the navigation-side map data, and stores the information in the storage unit 203 . For example, the conversion unit 204 refers to the conversion table shown in FIG. 6, identifies the navigation-side link ID corresponding to the center-side link ID acquired together with the traffic information, and associates the identified navigation-side link ID with the traffic information. is stored in the storage unit 203 . The conversion table shown in FIG. 6 is for converting the center-side link ID assigned to the road section of the center-side map data into the navigation-side link ID assigned to the road section of the navigation-side map data. By using the conversion table shown in FIG. 6, the center side link ID shown in FIG. 2(a) can be converted into the navigation side link ID shown in FIG. The conversion table shown in FIG. 6 is an example, and it is possible to convert not only one center side link ID to one navigation side link ID, but also to convert one center side link ID to a plurality of navigation side link IDs. be.

Further, when the traffic information acquired by the traffic information acquisition unit 202 includes the direction-specific travel time, the conversion unit 204 assigns the direction-specific travel time to the navigation-side link and the navigation-side The travel time assigned to each node is divided into: Then, the conversion unit 204 refers to the storage unit 203 and changes the link cost assigned in advance to the navigation-side link to the travel time assigned to the navigation-side link based on the traffic information. Also, the node cost assigned in advance to the navi-side node is changed to the travel time assigned to the navi-side node based on the traffic information. As a result, the conversion unit 204 can reflect the direction-specific travel times to the navigation-side links and nodes of the navigation-side map data.

The control unit 205 controls the navigation device 200 as a whole.

The route search unit 206 performs route search processing from the departure point to the destination using road network data, traffic information, link costs, and node costs stored in the storage unit 203 . The path may be determined using a known search algorithm such as Dijkstra's algorithm or A* (A-star). For nodes to which node costs are not assigned individually, the node cost table shown in FIG. 5 is referred to, and the cost (travel time) corresponding to the angle formed by the approach link and the exit link is used. Further, the route searching unit 206 generates an image in which the searched route is superimposed on the map image, and displays it on the display unit 208 .

The route guidance unit 207 performs guidance guidance processing for the route searched by the route search unit 206 .

A display unit 208 displays route search results, information at the time of route guidance, and the like.

The input unit 209 supplies various information to the control unit 205 . For example, the input unit 209 inputs information indicating a departure point, a destination, and the like, and supplies the information to the control unit 205 .

<Example of processing operation for distributing travel time by direction>
Next, with reference to FIG. 7, an example of a processing operation for distributing travel times by direction will be described. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an example of a processing operation for allocating the direction-specific travel time to navigation-side links and nodes.

The conversion unit 204 acquires the direction-specific travel time associated with the center-side approach link ID (step A1). The conversion unit 204 acquires, for example, the direction-specific travel time of the center-side approach link ID_a1 shown in FIG. 2(c). The direction-specific travel time shown in FIG. 2(c) is associated with the center-side entrance link ID_a1 together with the center-side exit link ID for specifying the direction.

Next, the conversion unit 204 refers to the conversion table shown in FIG. 6 to specify the navigation side approach link ID corresponding to the center side approach link ID_a1 (step A2). Referring to the conversion table shown in FIG. 6, the navigation-side approach link ID corresponding to the center-side approach link ID_a1 can be specified as b1.

Next, the conversion unit 204 calculates the minimum travel time by direction from among the travel times by direction (step A3). Referring to the travel time by direction shown in FIG. 2(c), the minimum travel time by direction can be calculated as 40 seconds.

Next, the conversion unit 204 refers to the link data shown in FIG. 4(a), and changes the link cost corresponding to the navigation-side approach link ID identified in step A2 to the minimum direction-specific travel time calculated in step A3. (Step A4).

Since the navigation-side approach link ID identified in step A2 is b1, referring to the link data shown in FIG. 4A, the link cost of the navigation-side link ID_b1 can be identified as 30 seconds. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8A, the conversion unit 204 changes the link cost of 30 seconds of the navigation-side link ID_b1 to 40 seconds calculated in step A3. As a result, the smallest direction-specific travel time among the direction-specific travel times associated with the center-side link ID can be assigned to the link cost of the navigation-side link ID. Also, the update flag is changed to "updated" to manage that the link cost of the navigation-side link ID_b1 has been updated with the direction-specific travel time.

Next, the converting unit 204 performs node cost conversion processing on the directional travel time in one direction among the directional travel times (step A5). For example, among the travel times by direction shown in FIG. 2(c), the travel time by direction of 60 seconds is targeted for node cost conversion processing.

Next, the conversion unit 204 refers to the conversion table shown in FIG. 6 to identify the navigation-side exit link ID corresponding to the center-side exit link ID of the direction-specific travel time to be converted (step A6). Since the center-side exit link ID for 60 seconds, which is the direction-specific travel time to be converted, is a2, referring to the conversion table shown in FIG. 6, the navigation-side exit link ID corresponding to the center-side exit link ID_a2 is It can be identified as b2.

Next, the conversion unit 204 identifies a navigation-side node ID that connects the navigation-side entry link ID identified in step A2 and the navigation-side exit link ID identified in step A6 (step A7). For example, referring to the node data shown in FIG. 4B, the navigation-side node ID connecting between the navigation-side entry link ID_b1 and the navigation-side exit link ID_b2 can be identified as M2.

Next, the conversion unit 204 calculates a travel time by subtracting the minimum travel time by direction calculated in step A3 from the travel time by direction to be converted (step A8). The directional travel time to be converted is 60 seconds, and the minimum directional travel time is 40 seconds, so the travel time after subtraction can be calculated as 20 (60-40) seconds.

Next, the conversion unit 204 associates the node cost of the navigation-side node ID_M2 identified in step A7 with the combination of the navigation-side entrance link ID identified in step A2 and the navigation-side exit link ID identified in step A6. Determine the node cost determined (step A9). For example, referring to the node data shown in FIG. 4B, the node cost associated with the combination of the navigation-side entry link ID_b1 and the navigation-side exit link ID_b2 can be identified as 10 seconds.

Next, the conversion unit 204 changes the node cost of the navi-side node ID_M2 specified in step A9 to the travel time calculated in step A8 (step A10). The node cost of the navigation-side node ID_M2 identified in step A9 is 10 seconds associated with the set of the navigation-side entry link ID_b1 and the navigation-side exit link ID_b2 shown in FIG. 4(b). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8B, the conversion unit 204 changes the node cost of 10 seconds for the navi-side node ID_M2 to the 20 seconds calculated in step A8. As a result, the travel time obtained by subtracting the minimum direction-specific travel time from the direction-specific travel time associated with the center-side link ID can be assigned to the node cost of the navigation-side node ID. Also, the update flag is changed to "updated" to manage that the node cost of the navi-side node ID_M2 has been updated with the direction-specific travel time.

The conversion unit 204 determines whether or not the node cost conversion processing for all direction-specific travel times is completed (step A11), and continues until the node cost conversion processing for all direction-specific travel times is completed (step A11/No ), and the processing of steps A5 to A10 is repeated. Since there are three direction-specific travel times shown in FIG. 2(c), steps A5 to A10 are repeated until the node cost conversion processing for the three direction-specific travel times is completed. By repeating this process, as shown in FIG. 8B, the node costs of the navigation side node ID_M2 can be obtained for three directions.

When the node cost conversion processing for all direction-specific travel times is completed (step A11/Yes), the conversion unit 204 ends the processing (End).

The navigation device 200 of the present embodiment performs the processing operation shown in FIG. 7 to obtain the navigation-side travel time as shown in FIG. 40 seconds can be allocated for the link cost of incoming link ID_b1. Also, the node cost of the navigation side node ID_M2 is 20 seconds (set of navigation side entrance link ID_b1, navigation side exit link ID_b2, and angle 90°), 0 seconds (navi side entrance link ID_b1, navigation side exit link ID_b3, and angle 0°), and 10 seconds (a pair of navigation-side entry link ID_b1, navigation-side exit link ID_b4, and an angle of 270°).

<Example of route guidance processing operation>
Next, an example of the route guidance processing operation performed by the navigation device 200 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of route guidance processing operation.

When the traffic information acquisition unit 202 receives various information necessary for route search such as departure point, destination, route search conditions (distance priority, time priority) and receives a route search request (step S1/ Yes), the traffic information center 100 is inquired about the travel time for each direction of the area required for the route search and acquired (step S2).

For example, the traffic information acquisition unit 202 identifies an area that includes a departure point and a destination, and inquires of the traffic information center 100 to acquire travel times by direction within that area. When the direction-specific travel time is acquired, the conversion unit 204 performs processing for distributing the direction-specific travel time (step S3). The process of step S3 performs the process shown in FIG. 7 described above. As a result, the direction-specific travel times of the areas necessary for route search can be distributed to the navigation-side links and nodes and stored in the storage unit 203 .

Next, the route search unit 206 executes route search processing from the departure point to the destination (step S4). The route search process uses the road network data, traffic information, link costs, and node costs stored in the storage unit 203 to search for a plurality of, for example, five candidate routes that meet the route search conditions. For nodes to which node costs are not assigned individually, the node cost table shown in FIG. 5 is referred to, and the cost (travel time) corresponding to the angle formed by the approach link and the exit link is used.

The route search unit 206 displays the processing result of step S4 on the display unit 208 (step S5). For example, the display unit 208 displays information about the five candidate routes retrieved above and the estimated arrival time for each candidate route. The expected arrival time is calculated based on the sum of the link cost and node cost from the departure point to the destination. Thereafter, the travel route to be guided is set and stored in the storage unit 203 by the user's input operation for selecting one of the candidate routes. The route search unit 206 reads out map data with a predetermined scale from the storage unit 203 by setting the route of travel to be guided, and superimposes the set route of travel and icons of the current position on the map information. to display.

When the route guidance unit 207 receives the route guidance request (step S6/Yes), the route guidance unit 207 starts route guidance processing based on the current position (step S7).

As a result, the navigation device 200 can use the direction-specific travel time provided by the traffic information center 100 to perform route search processing and movement route guidance processing.

If the navigation device 200 acquires a new direction-specific travel time from the traffic information center 100 after starting the guidance guidance processing, the navigation device 200 performs distribution processing for the direction-specific travel time, and searches again for candidate routes. can be

<Example of display processing operation of travel time by direction>
Next, an example of display processing operation of the travel time by direction will be described with reference to FIG. 10 . FIG. 10 shows an example of displaying travel times by direction on a map.

The direction-specific travel times acquired from the traffic information center 100 are stored in the storage unit 203 after being sorted into navigation-side approach link IDs and navigation-side node IDs. The route guidance unit 207 refers to the storage unit 203, and if there is a node cost for the navigation-side approach link linked to the navigation-side node in the traveling direction from the current position, acquires the node cost. As shown, the information is displayed on the display unit 208 for each navigation-side exit link. FIG. 10 is an example of displaying three node costs (20 seconds, 0 seconds, 10 seconds) for the navigation-side entry link ID_b1 associated with the navigation-side node ID_M2 shown in FIG. 8(b) for each navigation-side exit link ID. is. As a result, the user can drive by grasping the travel time for each direction of the navigation side node.

When the travel time by direction is displayed on the map, it may be displayed in different display modes according to the size of the travel time. For example, if the travel time is between 0 and 10 seconds, blue indicates that everything is running smoothly, if it is between 11 and 30 seconds, it indicates that it is busy, and if it is 31 seconds or more, it indicates that there is a traffic jam. may be displayed in red or the like. Also, when the travel time is equal to or greater than the reference value, it may be displayed in an emphasized manner or displayed in a flashing manner. As a result, it is possible to alert the user according to the size of the travel time.

Also, instead of displaying the travel time by direction, the user may be notified by voice. For example, it may be reported that ``it will take 0 seconds to go straight, 10 seconds to turn left, and 20 seconds to turn right''.

<Operations and effects of the navigation device 200 according to the present embodiment>
When the navigation device 200 according to the present embodiment acquires the direction-specific travel time linked to the center-side approach link, it refers to the conversion table shown in FIG. 6 to convert the direction-specific travel time to the center-side approach link. The travel time assigned to the corresponding navigation-side approach link and the travel time assigned to the navigation-side node adjacent to the navigation-side approach link in the traveling direction are distributed. Then, the navigation device 200 associates the travel time assigned to the navigation-side entry link with the navigation-side entry link and stores it in the storage unit 203 . Also, the travel time allocated to the navigation-side node is stored in the storage unit 203 in association with the navigation-side node. As a result, the navigation device 200 according to the present embodiment can reflect the direction-specific travel time delivered from the traffic information center 100 to the navigation-side node. As a result, the navigation device 200 can use the direction-specific travel time provided by the traffic information center 100 . Conventionally, costs (travel time) were given to navigation-side nodes using a fixed node cost table of six directions shown in FIG. couldn't. However, the direction-specific travel time reflected in the navigation-side node in this embodiment is a unique cost (travel time) defined by the approach link and the exit link. For this reason, it is possible to give a more detailed cost to the navi-side node than in the past.

<Modification>
The above-described embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited only to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are made within the scope of the present invention. can be implemented.

(Modification 1)
In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the node cost for each direction is given to the navigation-side node data in advance, and the navigation-side node data is used when searching for a route. A cost (travel time) corresponding to an incoming link and an outgoing link is used in a node. However, the node cost for each direction is not given to the navigation-side node data in advance, and the node cost table shown in FIG. The cost (travel time) corresponding to , may be used each time. In this case, the direction-specific travel times reflected above may be used as they are, without using the node cost table shown in FIG.

(Modification 2)
In the above-described embodiment, the travel time (node cost) allocated to the navigation-side node is linked to a set of the navigation-side entry link ID, the navigation-side exit link ID, and the angle, as shown in FIG. It is stored in the storage unit 203 . However, if the direction defined by the navigation-side entry link and the navigation-side exit link can be identified, for example, a pair of the navigation-side entry link ID and the navigation-side exit link ID, or the combination of the navigation-side entry link ID and the angle The travel time (node cost) may be stored in the storage unit 203 in association with the set of .

(Modification 3)
In the route guidance processing operation example shown in FIG. 9 of the above-described embodiment, when the traffic information acquisition unit 202 receives a route search request (step S1/Yes), the direction-specific travel time of the area required for route search It is also possible to determine whether or not all have been acquired from the traffic information center 100, and if there is an unacquired area, inquire of the traffic information center 100 and acquire the direction-specific travel time for that unacquired area (step S2). ). For example, the traffic information acquisition unit 202 identifies an area that includes a departure point and a destination, and determines whether or not the costs of navigation-side links and navigation-side nodes included in each mesh within the area have been updated. is determined based on the update flag shown in . If there is an unupdated mesh, the unupdated mesh is treated as an unacquired area, and the traffic information center 100 is inquired of the travel time for each direction of the unacquired area to acquire it. As a result, the traffic information acquisition unit 202 can inquire of the traffic information center 100 and acquire only the direction-specific travel times of unacquired areas required for route search.

(Modification 4)
In the above-described embodiment, the navigation device 200 performs the sorting process shown in FIG. , and stored in the storage unit 203 . However, the sorting process shown in FIG. 7 may be performed by an information processing apparatus such as a server existing in the network NW. Also in this case, the navigation device 200 can use the travel time by acquiring the travel time after allocation from the information processing device.

(Modification 5)
In the above-described embodiment, the navigation device 200 executes route search processing. However, an information processing device such as a server existing in the network NW may execute the route search process, and the navigation device 200 may acquire the route search result from the information processing device.

(Modification 6)
The control operation of each unit constituting the navigation device 200 of this embodiment described above can be executed using hardware, software, or a composite configuration of both.

When processing is performed using software, a program recording a processing sequence can be installed in a memory within a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware and executed. Alternatively, it can be installed and executed in a memory within a general-purpose computer capable of executing various types of processing.

For example, the program can be recorded in advance on a hard disk or ROM as a recording medium. Alternatively, the program can be temporarily or permanently recorded on a removable recording medium. Such removable recording media can be provided as so-called package software. Removable recording media include various recording media such as magnetic disks and semiconductor memories.

The program is installed in the computer from the removable recording medium as described above. It will also be wirelessly transferred from the download site to your computer. In addition, it will be transferred to the computer by wire through the network.

As for the form of the program, it is possible to use it from a server on the network such as the cloud. There is also a form in which only part of the program is transferred to the computer for use.

(Modification 7)
Each unit constituting the navigation device 200 of the above-described embodiment is not limited to executing processes in chronological order according to the processing operations described in the above-described embodiment. For example, it is also possible to construct so as to execute the processing in parallel or individually, depending on the processing capacity of the device that executes the processing, or as necessary. Further, each function of the navigation device 200 of the embodiment described above may be realized by cooperation of a plurality of information processing devices, and at least part of the information stored in the storage unit 203 described above may be used by another device. It may be stored in an internal/external storage device, or may be built on the cloud, for example.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 traffic information center 101 traffic information storage unit 102 traffic information distribution unit 200 navigation device 201 position information acquisition unit 202 traffic information acquisition unit (acquisition means)
203 storage unit (first storage means, second storage means)
204 conversion unit (conversion means)
205 control unit 206 route search unit 207 route guidance unit 208 display unit (display means)
209 input part NW network

Claims (8)

An information processing device for processing direction-specific travel times provided from a traffic information center,
Acquisition means for acquiring the direction-specific travel time associated with the center-side link;
The direction-specific travel time is divided into a first travel time assigned to a navigation-side link corresponding to the center-side link and a second travel time assigned to a navigation-side node adjacent to the navigation-side link in the traveling direction. a conversion means;
a first storage means for storing the first travel time in association with the navigation-side link;
a second storage means for storing the second travel time in association with the navigation-side node;
An information processing device comprising: The conversion means is
assigning the minimum travel time by direction among the travel times by direction to the navigation-side link as the first travel time;
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a travel time obtained by subtracting said minimum direction-specific travel time from said direction-specific travel time is assigned to said navi-side node as said second travel time. The acquisition means is
Acquiring the direction-specific travel time and the center-side exit link linked to the center-side entrance link,
The conversion means is
specifying a navigation-side entry link corresponding to the center-side entry link and a navigation-side exit link corresponding to the center-side exit link;
identifying a navigation-side node connecting between the navigation-side entry link and the navigation-side exit link;
dividing the direction-specific travel time into the first travel time assigned to the navigation-side approach link and the second travel time assigned to the navigation-side node;
The first storage means is
storing the first travel time in association with the navigation-side entry link;
The second storage means is
2. The second travel time is stored in association with the navigation-side node together with information capable of specifying a direction defined by the navigation-side entry link and the navigation-side exit link. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2. The direction-identifiable information includes:
Information about the traveling direction of the navigation-side exit link specified from the angle formed by the navigation-side entry link and the navigation-side exit link with respect to the navigation-side entry link;
information on a set of the navigation-side entry link and the navigation-side exit link;
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the information is at least one of: a link cost, which is a travel time required to pass through the navigation-side approach link, is given to the navigation-side approach link in the first storage means;
In the second storage means, a node cost, which is a travel time for each direction required to pass through the navi-side node, is given to the navi-side node together with information that enables the direction to be specified,
The first storage means is
changing the link cost assigned to the navigation-side approach link specified by the conversion means to the first travel time;
The second storage means is
Among the node costs assigned to the navigation-side node identified by the conversion means, the node corresponding to a direction defined by the navigation-side entry link and the navigation-side exit link identified by the conversion means 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cost is changed to the second travel time. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising display means for displaying the second travel time stored in the second storage means in association with the navigation-side node. information processing equipment. A method for an information processing device to process a direction-specific travel time provided from a traffic information center, comprising:
The information processing device is
a step of acquiring the direction-specific travel time associated with the center-side link;
The direction-specific travel time is divided into a first travel time assigned to a navigation-side link corresponding to the center-side link and a second travel time assigned to a navigation-side node adjacent to the navigation-side link in the traveling direction. process and
a step of associating the first travel time with the navigation-side link and storing it in a first storage means;
a step of linking the second travel time to the navigation-side node and storing it in a second storage means;
A method comprising: to the computer that processes the travel time by direction provided by the traffic information center,
a step of acquiring the direction-specific travel time associated with the center-side link;
The direction-specific travel time is divided into a first travel time assigned to a navigation-side link corresponding to the center-side link and a second travel time assigned to a navigation-side node adjacent to the navigation-side link in the traveling direction. a step;
a step of linking the first travel time to the navigation-side link and storing it in a first storage means;
a step of linking the second travel time to the navigation-side node and storing it in a second storage means;
The program that causes the to run.

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