JP7290031B2 - Route search server, route search system and route search method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a route search server, a route search system and a route search method.

2. Description of the Related Art There is known a transfer guidance service that accumulates routes and operation time data of transportation facilities in a server, searches for a route from a departure point to a destination, and provides guidance. As a route search result, a route that reaches the destination quickly, a route with a low fare, a route with a small number of train transfers, and the like are output. By entering the departure time when searching for a route, the arrival time at the destination was calculated. Also, the departure time is calculated by inputting the arrival time at the destination.

When a group of multiple people gather at the same destination, each person searches for a route and moves to the destination. Therefore, it was not possible to know what route other people in the group were taking to reach their destination. In addition, it was not possible to confirm where other people are now and what time they will arrive at their destinations without directly inquiring with them and receiving their answers.

JP-A-2002-169915

An object of the present invention is to provide a route search server, a route search system, and a route search method that enable a plurality of users heading for the same destination to easily confirm each other's positions on a moving route.

A route search server according to the present invention includes a registration processing unit that receives group participation registrations from a plurality of user terminals, groups a plurality of users, and registers a common destination for the plurality of users; a route information storage unit that stores route information including a timetable; and a search request for a moving route from a departure point to the destination using transportation from the plurality of user terminals, and referring to the route information. A route search unit that searches for a moving route and transmits the search result to the corresponding user terminal, and a notification unit that receives position information from each user terminal and notifies the user terminals of other users in the group of the position information. and

In one aspect of the present invention, when the route search unit detects that the user has boarded a train from the position information, the route search unit searches for the user's estimated time of arrival at the destination, and the notification unit retrieves the estimated time of arrival at the destination. Notify the user terminals of other users in the group of the time.

In one aspect of the present invention, the route search unit searches for a route that allows a plurality of users to join before the destination.

In one aspect of the present invention, a map information storage unit stores a map including a city map or a station map, an image data storage unit stores an image registered at a predetermined location on the map, and an image registration location. is transmitted to a user terminal, and when a request for an image of the image registration location is received from the user terminal, an image stored in the image data storage unit is transmitted to the user terminal. and .

In one aspect of the present invention, the image transmission unit receives notification of the image selected by the user from the user terminal, and transmits the selected image to the user terminals of other users in the group.

A route search system of the present invention includes a route search server according to the present invention, a request for searching a moving route to the route search server, receiving the search result from the route search server, a user terminal that transmits location information and receives location information of other users in the group from the route search server.

A route search method of the present invention includes steps of accepting registrations for participation in a group from a plurality of user terminals, grouping the plurality of users, and registering a common destination for the plurality of users; from the plurality of user terminals; receiving a search request for a travel route from a departure point to the destination using transportation, searching for a travel route, and transmitting the search result to a corresponding user terminal; and receiving location information from each user terminal. and a step of notifying the user terminals of other users in the group of the position information.

According to the present invention, a plurality of users heading for the same destination can easily confirm each other's positions on the movement route.

1 is a schematic diagram of a route search system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2a and 2b are diagrams showing an example of acquisition of position information. It is a figure which shows the example of another user information display screen. 4a and 4b are diagrams showing examples of movement paths. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a floor plan. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a registered image; 1 is a block configuration diagram of a route search system; FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a user terminal; FIG. It is a flow chart explaining a route search method.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a route search system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1 , the route search system includes a route search server 1 (hereinafter referred to as server 1 ) and user terminals 2 . The user terminal 2 is owned by each user and is a device such as a smart phone or a tablet terminal that can communicate with the server 1 . The server 1 provides a route search service for searching for a route from a specified starting point to a destination to a user terminal 2 that has accessed via the Internet. is displayed.

In this route search system, a plurality of users with the same destination create a group, and each user uses the user terminal 2 to search for a route to the destination. The search results include multiple routes, and the user selects a route to use for travel. For example, the user selects the route with the shortest required time to the destination, the route with the lowest fare, the route with the least number of train transfers, and the like. The selected route is notified from the user terminal 2 to the server 1 .

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a group is created by users A, B, and C, and the route selected by each user is notified to the server 1 . The user A heads for the destination by a route using the route L1. User B heads for the destination by a route using line L2. User C heads for the destination on a route using line L3. The server 1 notifies each user of the routes selected by other users in the same group.

Also, the server 1 acquires position information indicating the position of the user from the user terminal 2 and notifies each user of it. For example, as shown in FIG. 2a, each train is provided with a wireless communication device 3 such as a beacon terminal. The wireless communication device 3 transmits a signal including identification information for identifying itself. The user terminal 2 notifies the server 1 of the identification information included in the signal received from the wireless communication device 3 .

The server 1 holds information on trains and vehicles in which each wireless communication device 3 is installed, and from the identification information received from the user terminal 2, determines which train and which vehicle the user is on. can be done. The user's position in the vehicle may be determined from the strength of the signal received from the wireless communication device 3 .

The user terminal 2 may use the GPS function to calculate position information from radio waves from the GPS satellites 4 and notify the server 1 of the calculated position information.

When boarding using the IC card ticket function of the user terminal 2, when the user passes through the ticket gate as shown in FIG. It may be made possible to determine what has been done. By registering the information of the IC card ticket owned by the user in advance in the server 1, even when the user holds the IC ticket over the ticket gate 5, it is determined that the user has passed through the ticket gate. be able to.

The server 1 notifies each user in the group of the position of the user based on the information acquired from the user terminal 2 and the ticket gate 5 . Also, the destination arrival time is calculated from the train boarded by the user and notified to each user. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the user terminal 2 of user A is notified of information such as which trains users B and C boarded and when they will arrive at their destinations. Thereby, each user can easily know where the other users in the same group are now and when they will arrive.

The server 1 may propose a merging possible route based on the route selected by each user, the train taken, etc., if the users can merge before the destination. For example, as shown in FIG. 4a, the destination is Ikebukuro, user A's starting point is Tokorozawa, user B's starting point is Wakoshi, user A uses the Seibu Ikebukuro line, and user B uses the Yurakucho line. Consider the case where the route to

As shown in FIG. 4b, the server 1 informs the user terminals 2 of the users A and B that the user A can transfer to the Seibu Yurakucho Line at Nerima so that the users A and B can meet at Kotake-mukaihara, which is in front of Ikebukuro. Notify and suggest a possible merging route.

When the users A and B approve the joining route, the server 1 searches for a joining method and notifies the user terminals 2 of the users A and B. FIG. For example, the server 1 calculates and notifies the user A or B waiting time in Kotakemukaihara to join and board the same train based on the departure time, current position, etc. of the users A and B. When user A boardes a train on which user B is riding, user A may be notified of the vehicle position where user B is. If the waiting time is long, you may be guided to a stopover spot around the station.

The server 1 allows the user terminal 2 to browse a premises map of a destination station, a street map around the station, and the like. In addition, the server 1 associates images (photographs) with locations that serve as landmarks in the station premises and on the street so that the images can be browsed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a photo browsing button G indicating the image registration location is synthesized and displayed on the floor plan or the map. When the photo viewing button G is pressed, the user terminal 2 displays one or more photos P registered for this location, as shown in FIG. A share button E is displayed next to the photo P for sharing the photo with users in the group. The user selects a photo P showing the meeting place in an easy-to-understand manner, and presses the share button E. The server 1 transmits the selected image data to the user terminal 2 of each user. This allows each user to easily grasp the meeting place.

The server 1 may tally the number of times each photo P has been selected for sharing within the group. Photos P that have been selected many times are photos that capture the location in an easy-to-understand manner and are useful for meetings and the like.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to group users heading for the same destination (to gather at the destination) and share and confirm the moving route and current position of each user. In addition, by sharing the image of the meeting place, it is possible to meet smoothly. In addition, it is possible to allow users to join each other before reaching their destination.

Next, the server 1 and the user terminal 2 that constitute the route search system will be described.

As shown in FIG. 7 , the user terminal 2 has a control section 20 , a storage section 21 , a touch panel 22 , a GPS 23 , a first communication section 24 and a second communication section 25 .

The control unit 20 may be configured by hardware or may be configured by software. For example, the control unit 20 is composed of a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. of a computer, and performs various processes by running programs stored in the storage unit 21 such as RAM, ROM, semiconductor memory, or the like.

The touch panel 22 functions as an operation unit that receives operations from the user and a display unit that displays various information. GPS 23 calculates the current position based on signals from GPS satellites. The first communication section 24 and the second communication section 25 have wireless communication functions. For example, the first communication unit 24 communicates with the server 1 . The second communication unit 25 communicates with the wireless communication device 3 such as a beacon terminal using a communication method such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy.

As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 20 includes a group creation unit 200, a destination setting unit 202, a search request unit 204, a route selection unit 206, a position information transmission unit 208, another user information reception unit 210, and an image selection unit. 212 functions.

The group creating unit 200 creates groups and registers them in the server 1 . In addition, the group creating unit 200 transmits a message inviting to the created group to the user terminals 2 of other users. The invitation message may be sent via the server 1 or may be sent using e-mail or the like.

The destination setting unit 202 sets the destination of the created group. This destination is a common destination for multiple users in the group.

The search request unit 204 transmits to the server 1 search conditions including the place of departure, departure time, etc., which are input via the touch panel 22 . Search results received from the server 1 are displayed on the touch panel 22 .

The route selection unit 206 receives a selection of a route to be actually used from the plurality of routes included in the search results from the user via the touch panel 22 and transmits selected route information to the server 1 .

The location information transmission unit 208 transmits location information related to the user's current location to the server 1 . For example, when the second communication unit 25 receives a signal from a beacon terminal provided on a train, the position information transmission unit 208 transmits identification information included in the received signal to the server 1 . Also, the location information transmission unit 208 transmits the current location information calculated by the GPS 23 to the server 1 .

The other user information receiving unit 210 receives other user information such as the route selected by the other user and the current position of the other user from the server 1 . Other user information is displayed on the touch panel 22 .

The image selection unit 212 receives from the user a selection of images to be shared with other users from among the images registered on the map shown in FIG. The image selection unit 212 notifies the server 1 of the selected image.

Next, the server 1 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 7, the server 1 has a route information storage section 10A, a map information storage section 10B, an image data storage section 10C, and a user management information storage section 10D as databases. The server 1 also has a registration processing unit 11 , a route search unit 12 , a notification unit 13 , an image transmission unit 14 and a counting unit 15 . The server 1 transmits various screens to the user terminal 2 and receives operation information input through the screens.

The registration processing unit 11, the route search unit 12, the notification unit 13, the image transmission unit 14, and the counting unit 15 may be configured by hardware or may be configured by software. For example, each unit is realized by executing a program stored in a recording medium such as a RAM, ROM, hard disk, or semiconductor memory by a CPU of a computer.

The route information storage unit 10A stores the route information required to specify the movement route from the departure point to the destination and the means of transportation to be used. For example, it includes routes of transportation such as railways and buses, timetables, fares, transferable stations, and the like. Further, the route information storage unit 10A may store information on trains and vehicles on which the wireless communication devices 3 are installed, identification information of each wireless communication device 3, and the like.

The map information storage unit 10B stores map information such as floor plans and maps. Further, the map information storage unit 10B stores position information of the place where the photograph is registered.

The image data storage unit 10C stores image data captured in advance for image registration locations. The image data is stored in association with the registration location information. The image data storage unit 10C also stores the number of times each image has been selected for group sharing.

The user management information storage unit 10D stores information on users forming a group, routes selected by each user, current positions of each user, and the like.

The registration processing unit 11 receives registrations such as creation of a new group, setting of a destination, and participation in a group from the user terminal 2 .

In response to a search request from the user terminal 2, the route search unit 12 searches (searches) one or more moving routes according to search conditions. The route search unit 12 transmits search results to the user terminal 2 . The route search unit 12 receives selected route information from the user terminal 2 . When the route search unit 12 detects that the user has boarded the train from the position information received from the user terminal 2, it searches for the estimated arrival time at the destination based on the route selected by the user.

The route search unit 12 searches for a route that allows a plurality of users in the group to join before the destination. If there is a route that can be joined, the route search unit 12 transmits information on the route that can be joined to the user terminal 2 of the user who can join.

The notification unit 13 notifies the location information received from the user terminal 2 of one user to the user terminals 2 of other users in the group, or to all the user terminals 2 in the group including the user terminal 2 that sent the location information. This allows users in the group to check each other's positions.

In addition, the notification unit 13 notifies the user terminals 2 in the group of the estimated time of arrival at the destination of each user.

In response to a request from the user terminal 2 , the image transmission unit 14 transmits map information synthesized with marks indicating image registration locations to the user terminal 2 . Upon receiving a viewing request for an image registered in the image registration location from the user terminal 2 , the route searching unit 12 transmits the image associated with the image registration location to the user terminal 2 .

The image transmission unit 14 receives notification of an image selected by the user from among the images registered on the map from the user terminal 2 viewing the map. The image transmission unit 14 transmits the notified image to the user terminals 2 of other users in the group or to all the user terminals 2 in the group including the user terminal 2 of the notification source. As a result, an image selected by a user as a photograph showing the meeting place can be shared by all users in the group.

The tallying unit 15 tallies the number of times each image is selected, in other words, the number of shared groups. An image with a large number of times of selection can be regarded as a photograph of the location in an easy-to-understand manner. The counting result is stored in the image data storage unit 10C.

Next, the route search method according to this embodiment will be described along the flowchart shown in FIG.

A user creates a group using the user terminal 2 (step S1) and invites other users to the created group (step S2). A plurality of users register (participate in) the created group (step S3). The user sets a destination when creating a group or after registering other users (step S4).

Each user inputs his or her starting point into the user terminal 2 . The user terminal 2 requests the server 1 to search for a route to the destination (step S5). The destination is set in step S4 and is a place common to all users in the group.

The server 1 searches for a route and transmits the search result to the user terminal 2 (steps S6 and S7). When the user selects a suitable route from the search results (step S8), the user terminal 2 notifies the selected route to the server 1 (step S9).

The user terminal 2 transmits position information about the user's current position to the server 1 (step S10). The location information is, for example, identification information included in a signal received from a beacon terminal installed on a train, or current location information by GPS.

The server 1 transmits other user information to the user terminal 2 (step S11). Other user information includes the route to the destination selected by each user, the current position, the estimated time of arrival at the destination, and the like. By viewing the other user information displayed on the user terminal 2, the user can know the position of the other user and the estimated time of arrival at the destination.

In the above-described embodiment, the image stored in the image data storage unit 10C may be an image taken in advance by the service provider, or may be an image taken and posted by a general user.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying constituent elements without departing from the scope of the present invention at the implementation stage. Further, various inventions can be formed by appropriate combinations of the plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be omitted from all components shown in the embodiments. Furthermore, components across different embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

1 route search server 2 user terminal 10A route information storage unit 10B map information storage unit 10C image data storage unit 10D user management information storage unit 11 registration processing unit 12 route search unit 13 notification unit 14 image transmission unit 15 aggregation unit 20 control unit 21 Storage unit 22 Touch panel 23 GPS
24 first communication unit 25 second communication unit

Claims (7)

a registration processing unit that receives group participation registrations from a plurality of user terminals, groups a plurality of users, and registers a common destination of the plurality of users;
a route information storage unit that stores route information including routes and timetables of transportation facilities;
Receiving from the plurality of user terminals a search request for a travel route using transportation from a departure point to the destination, searching for a travel route by referring to the route information, and sending the search result to the corresponding user terminal. a route search unit for transmission;
a notification unit that receives location information from each user terminal and notifies the user terminals of other users in the group of the location information;
with
A route search server that communicates with a ticket gate through which a user terminal having an IC card ticket function passes, determines that the user has passed through the ticket gate, and notifies the user terminals of other users as location information of this user. . When the route search unit detects that the user has boarded the train from the position information, the route search unit searches for the user's estimated arrival time at the destination,
2. The route search server according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies the user terminals of other users in the group of the estimated time of arrival at the destination. 3. The route search server according to claim 1, wherein the route search unit searches for a route that allows a plurality of users to join before the destination. a map information storage unit that stores a map including a city map or a station map;
an image data storage unit that stores an image registered at a predetermined location on the map;
A map synthesized with marks indicating image registration locations is transmitted to a user terminal, and upon receiving a request for an image of the image registration location from the user terminal, the image stored in the image data storage unit is transmitted to the user terminal. an image transmission unit that
4. The route search server according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: 5. The route search according to claim 4, wherein the image transmission unit receives notification of the image selected by the user from the user terminal, and transmits the selected image to the user terminals of other users in the group. server. A route search server according to any one of claims 1 to 5;
Send a search request for a moving route to the route search server, receive the search result from the route search server, send location information of the own terminal to the route search server, and send the route search server to another terminal in the group. a user terminal that receives user location information;
A route search system comprising: accepting group participation registrations from a plurality of user terminals, grouping the plurality of users, and registering a common destination for the plurality of users;
a step of receiving, from the plurality of user terminals, a search request for a travel route using transportation from a departure point to the destination, searching for a travel route, and transmitting the search result to the corresponding user terminal;
receiving location information from each user terminal and notifying said location information to the user terminals of other users in the group;
a step of communicating with a ticket gate through which a user terminal having an IC card ticket function has passed, determining that the user has passed through the ticket gate, and notifying the user terminals of other users as location information of the user;
A route search method characterized in that the route search server executes:

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