WO2009096023A1

WO2009096023A1 - Expense calculating device, expense calculating method, expense calculating program, and recording medium

Info

Publication number: WO2009096023A1
Application number: PCT/JP2008/051528
Authority: WO
Inventors: Takashi Ishikawa; Wakako Nagata; Keigo Nakada; Yuji Ohmatsu; Takayuki Uchida; Takashi Hanyuda
Original assignee: Pioneer Corporation
Priority date: 2008-01-31
Filing date: 2008-01-31
Publication date: 2009-08-06

Abstract

An expense calculating device (100) comprises a destination point information input unit (101), a number-of-people information input unit (102), a retrieval unit (103), a calculation unit (104), and an output unit (105). The destination point information input unit (101) receives destination point information on a destination point. The number-of-people information input unit (102) receives number-of-people information on the number of people which move to the destination point. The retrieval unit (103) retrieves a route to the destination point according to the destination point information. The calculation unit (104) calculates the total expense necessary for the people to move to the destination point according to the route retrieved by the retrieval unit (103) and the number-of-people information. The output unit (105) outputs expense information on the total expense calculated by the calculation unit (104).

Description

Expense calculation device, expense calculation method, expense calculation program, and recording medium

The present invention relates to an expense calculation device, an expense calculation method, an expense calculation program, and a recording medium for calculating an expense necessary for moving to a destination point.

Conventionally, for example, a navigation apparatus that guides a route from a departure point to a destination point using a plurality of types of moving means is known (for example, see Patent Document 1 below). According to such a navigation device, for example, when a user travels to a destination by using public transportation such as a bus or a train, the user needs to use the route to the destination and the route. You can refer to expenses.

JP 2005-114370 A

However, in the above prior art, for example, the user can know only the cost per person required to reach the destination, and when multiple people try to move to the destination, In order to know the total cost required for this, it is necessary to separately perform a complicated calculation.

In addition, the cheap route may vary depending on how many people travel to the destination. For example, consider a case where three people head to a certain destination point. When going to this destination point using public transportation such as a train, 500 yen per person (a total of 1500 yen for 3 people) is required. On the other hand, when going to this destination point using one vehicle, 1200 yen is required. That is, the route using a train is cheaper when traveling to this destination point with two or fewer people, but the route using a vehicle is cheaper when traveling with three or more people. In the above prior art, since the number of people moving toward the destination point is not considered, there is a problem that an appropriate route according to the number of people cannot be searched.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the expense calculation apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is directed to destination point information input means for receiving input of destination point information regarding the destination point, and toward the destination point. Number-of-people information input means for accepting input of number-of-persons information relating to the number of persons to be moved, search means for searching for a route to the destination point based on the destination point information, the route searched by the search means, and the number of people Based on the information, a calculation means for calculating the total cost required when moving to the destination by the number of people, and an output means for outputting the cost information related to the total cost calculated by the calculation means, It is characterized by providing.

The expense calculation method according to the invention described in claim 9 is a destination point information input step for receiving input of destination point information relating to the destination point, and a number of people receiving input of person number information regarding the number of persons moving toward the destination point. Based on the information input step, a search step for searching for a route to the destination point based on the destination point information, the route searched for by the search step, and the number of people, the destination It includes a calculation step for calculating a total cost required when moving to a point, and an output step for outputting cost information related to the total cost calculated by the calculation step.

Further, the expense calculation program according to the invention described in claim 10 causes the computer to execute the expense calculation method according to claim 9.

A computer-readable recording medium according to the invention described in claim 11 records the expense calculation program according to claim 10.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an expense calculation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the expense calculation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the navigation apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) showing the calculation contents of the total cost by the navigation device. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) showing the calculation contents of the total cost by the navigation device. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the navigation device of this embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) illustrating a specific display example of the navigation device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) illustrating a specific display example of the navigation device according to the present embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Expense calculation apparatus 101 Destination point information input part 102 Person number information input part 103 Search part 104 Calculation part 104a Identification part 104b Judgment part 105 Output part 106 Current point information input part 107 Arbitrary point information input part

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Exemplary embodiments of an expense calculation apparatus, an expense calculation method, an expense calculation program, and a recording medium according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Functional structure of expense calculation device)
First, the functional configuration of the expense calculation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an expense calculation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the expense calculation apparatus 100 includes a destination point information input unit 101, a number of people information input unit 102, a search unit 103, a calculation unit 104, and an output unit 105.

The destination point information input unit 101 has a function of receiving input of destination point information regarding the destination point. Here, the destination point information is information that can uniquely identify the destination point on the map information, such as the name, address, and telephone number of the destination point. The destination point information only needs to be information that allows the destination point to be uniquely identified on the map information. The destination point information may be expressed using any coordinate system recorded in the map information, or may be expressed using latitude and longitude. Also good. The destination point information input unit 101 is realized by various input devices such as a mouse and a keyboard, for example.

The number-of-people information input unit 102 has a function of accepting input of number-of-people information related to the number of people moving toward the destination point. Here, the number-of-persons information is information representing the number of persons who move together toward the destination point, such as users and their companions. The number information input unit 102 may accept input of number information related to the number of persons for each category with different charges when using public transportation. For example, public transportation has two different rates: a usage fee when the user is a junior high school student or higher (so-called adult fee) and a usage fee when the user is less than a junior high school student (so-called child fee). A tariff form with classifications is adopted.

In this case, for example, the number of people information input unit 102 indicates that the number of people moving toward the destination point is “two or more junior high school students (that is, the number of users who will be charged adults), and two people who are younger than junior high school students (that is, The number of users for each category is accepted. In addition, the number information input unit 102 may receive the number of vehicles used when moving toward the destination point. The number information input unit 102 is realized by various input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, for example.

The search unit 103 has a function of searching for a route to the destination point based on the destination point information. The search unit 103 searches for a route from the current point to the destination point using the Dijkstra method or the like, although detailed description is omitted because it is a known technique. That is, the search unit 103 searches for a route that minimizes the time required to reach the destination point, a route that minimizes the cost required to arrive at the destination point, and the like.

For example, the expense calculation apparatus 100 includes a recording unit (not shown), and map information is recorded in the recording unit. The map information has a large number of nodes and links connecting the nodes. Each link has a unique weight, and the search unit 103 searches for a route to the destination point based on the weight. The search unit 103 is realized, for example, by causing a computer device to execute a program prepared in advance.

The calculation unit 104 has a function of calculating the total cost required for traveling to the destination point by the number of moving people based on the route searched by the searching unit 103 and the number of people information input by the number of people information input unit 102. . Here, the total cost is obtained by multiplying the unit cost expense by the number of people accepted by the number information input unit 102 when the cost per person in the route searched by the search unit 103 is a unit cost. Further, the total cost for the round trip may be calculated by doubling the total cost. The calculation unit 104 is realized, for example, by causing a computer device to execute a program prepared in advance.

The output unit 105 has a function of outputting total cost information related to the total cost calculated by the calculation unit 104. Here, the total expense information is information representing the amount of the total expense. In addition, when the search unit 103 searches for a plurality of different routes, and the calculation unit 104 calculates the total cost of the plurality of routes for each route, the output unit 105, for example, The total expense information of at least one of the routes is output.

Note that the output unit 105 may output total cost information of the searched route, and may also output route presentation information for presenting the searched route to the user. Here, the route presentation information is information indicating the content of the route for which the total expense information is output. For example, it is information that expresses the route linearly on the map information, and information that expresses the name of the departure point, waypoint, and destination point.

The output by the output unit 105 is performed, for example, by displaying a predetermined image (including characters) on a display unit (not shown). Further, the output unit 105 is not limited to displaying an image, and may be performed by outputting a predetermined sound, or may be performed using display and sound at the same time. The output unit 105 is realized by various display devices such as a liquid crystal display and a plasma display, and an audio output device such as a speaker.

Furthermore, the calculation unit 104 of the expense calculation apparatus 100 may include a specifying unit 104a. When the search unit 103 searches for a plurality of routes, the specifying unit 104a determines that the route that requires the minimum time required to arrive at the destination point or the total cost is the minimum among the plurality of routes. It has a function to specify the route. And the output part 105 outputs the total expense information of the path | route specified by the specific | specification part 104a.

Further, the calculation unit 104 may include a determination unit 104b. When the search unit 103 searches for a plurality of routes, the determination unit 104b determines whether the difference between the total cost of the route with the minimum required time and the route with the minimum total cost is a predetermined amount or more. It has a function to determine whether or not. When the determination unit 104b determines that the difference is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the output unit 105 outputs total cost information of a route that requires the minimum amount of time, and when the difference is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, Output total cost information for the route with the lowest cost.

Furthermore, the expense calculation device 100 may further include a current location information input unit 106. The current location information input unit 106 has a function of acquiring current location information regarding the current location. The current location information input unit 106 is realized by, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit.

When configured to include the current location information input unit 106, the search unit 103 includes the destination location information input by the destination location information input unit 101 and the current location information input by the current location information input unit 106. Based on this, the route from the current point to the destination point is searched. When a route from the current point to the destination point is searched, the total cost for the route is calculated and total cost information is output.

Further, the expense calculation device 100 may further include an arbitrary point information input unit 107. The arbitrary point information input unit 107 has a function of accepting input of arbitrary point information regarding an arbitrary point. Here, the arbitrary point (hereinafter simply referred to as “arbitrary point”) is, for example, an arbitrary point designated by the user. Here, the arbitrary point information is information that can uniquely identify the arbitrary point described above on the map information.

In the case where the arbitrary point information input unit 107 is configured, the search unit 103 includes the destination point information input by the destination point information input unit 101 and the arbitrary point information input by the arbitrary point information input unit 107. Based on this, the route from the arbitrary point to the destination point is searched. When a route from an arbitrary point to a destination point is searched, the total cost for the route is calculated and total cost information is output.

(Expense calculation device processing procedure)
Next, a processing procedure of the expense calculation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the expense calculation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the expense calculation apparatus 100 first waits until receiving input of destination point information (step S201: No loop). Specifically, the expense calculation apparatus 100 waits until the destination point information input unit 101 receives input of destination point information.

In step S201, when the input of the destination point information is received (step S201: Yes), the expense calculation apparatus 100 waits until the input of the number of people information is received (step S202: No loop). Specifically, the expense calculation apparatus 100 stands by until the number of people information input unit 102 receives the number of people information input.

In step S202, when the input of the number information is accepted (step S202: Yes), the expense calculation apparatus 100 searches for a route to the destination point (step S203). Specifically, the expense calculation apparatus 100 searches for a route from the current location to the destination location by the search unit 103.

In step S203, after searching for the route to the destination point, the expense calculation apparatus 100 calculates the total expense of the searched route (step S204). Specifically, the expense calculation apparatus 100 calculates the total expense of the route searched for by the calculation unit 104.

In step S204, after calculating the total cost, the cost calculation apparatus 100 outputs the cost information related to the calculated total cost (step S205). Specifically, the expense calculation apparatus 100 outputs the expense information of the total expense by the output unit 105.

As described above, according to the expense calculation apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to calculate the total expense for the number of people moving toward the destination and output the expense information of the total expense. it can. Thereby, even when a user moves toward a destination point by a plurality of persons, the total cost can be known without separately performing complicated calculations, so that convenience can be improved.

Furthermore, according to the cost calculation apparatus 100, the total cost can be calculated based on the number of people moving toward the destination point, and a route where the total cost is cheap can be presented to the user. Thereby, since the user can know the suitable route according to the number of people, the convenience can be improved.

Next, an example of the expense calculation apparatus 100 according to the above-described embodiment will be described. In this example, the expense calculation device 100 according to the above-described embodiment is applied to a navigation device mounted on a vehicle (including two wheels and four wheels). The navigation device of this embodiment is a so-called portable navigation device that can be mounted on a vehicle and can be removed from the vehicle and carried by a user.

(Hardware configuration of navigation device)
First, the hardware configuration of the navigation apparatus of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the navigation apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the navigation apparatus 300 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a magnetic disk drive 304, a magnetic disk 305, an optical disk drive 306, an optical disk 307, and an audio I / F (interface) 308. , A microphone 309, a speaker 310, an input device 311, a video I / F 312, a display 313, a camera 314, a communication I / F 315, a GPS unit 316, and various sensors 317. In addition, the respective components 301 to 317 are connected by a bus 320, respectively.

First, the CPU 301 governs overall control of the navigation device 300. The ROM 302 stores various programs such as a boot program, a current location specifying program, a route search program, a route guidance program, a voice generation program, a map information display program, and a total expense calculation program. The RAM 303 is used as a work area for the CPU 301.

That is, the CPU 301 governs overall control of the navigation device 300 by executing various programs stored in the ROM 302 while using the RAM 303 as a work area. The current location specifying program, for example, specifies the current location of the navigation device 300 based on output information from a GPS unit 316 and various sensors 317 described later.

The route search program uses map information stored in the magnetic disk 305 or the optical disk 307, which will be described later, to determine an optimum route from the departure point to the destination point, and a detour route when the departure from the optimum route. Let them search. Here, the optimum route is a route with the lowest cost to the destination point or a route that best meets the conditions specified by the user. Since the route search program is a known technique, detailed description thereof is omitted, but for example, a route search is performed using the Dijkstra method. The guidance route searched by executing the route search program is output to the audio I / F 308 and the video I / F 312 via the CPU 301.

The route guidance program includes guidance route information searched by executing the route search program, vehicle current location information specified by executing the current location specifying program, and a map read from the magnetic disk 305 or the optical disc 307. Based on the information, real-time route guidance information is generated. The route guidance information generated by executing the route guidance program is output to the audio I / F 308 and the video I / F 312 via the CPU 301.

The voice generation program generates tone and voice information corresponding to the pattern. That is, based on the route guidance information generated by executing the route guidance program, the virtual sound source corresponding to the guidance point is set and the voice guidance information is generated. The voice guidance information includes, for example, an alarm to turn right and left according to the route, a warning to decelerate in front of the right and left turning point, information about a detour route when the right or left fails, Guidance information to the effect that it should be turned back if it fails to turn right or left is included.

The generated voice guidance information is output to the voice I / F 308 via the CPU 301. The map information display program causes the display 313 to display map information read from the magnetic disk 305 or the optical disk 307 by the video I / F 312.

The total cost calculation program calculates the total cost by using the route information and the number of people information of the route searched by executing the route search program. Total cost information detected by executing the total cost calculation program is output to the audio I / F 308 and the video I / F 312 via the CPU 301.

The magnetic disk drive 304 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the magnetic disk 305 according to control of CPU301. Data written under the control of the magnetic disk drive 304 is stored in the magnetic disk 305. As the magnetic disk 305, for example, HD or FD (flexible disk) can be used.

The optical disc drive 306 controls reading / writing of data with respect to the optical disc 307 according to the control of the CPU 301. The optical disk 307 is a detachable storage medium from which data is read according to the control of the optical disk drive 306. As the optical disc 307, for example, a CD (Compact Disc) or a DVD can be used. The optical disk 307 can also use a writable storage medium. In addition to the optical disk 307, the removable storage medium may be an MO (Magneto Optical Disk), a memory card, or the like.

As an example of information stored in the magnetic disk 305 or the optical disk 307, there is map information used for route search / route guidance. The map information includes background data representing point features (features) such as buildings, rivers, and the surface of the point, and road shape data representing the shape of the road. The map information is displayed two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally on the display screen of the display 313. Drawn.

The road shape data further has traffic condition data. The traffic condition data includes, for example, whether or not there are traffic lights or pedestrian crossings, highway entrances or junctions, length (distance) for each link, road width, direction of travel, road type (highway, Information on toll roads and general roads).

In the traffic condition data, past traffic information obtained by statistically processing past traffic information based on seasons, days of the week, large holidays, and times is stored. The navigation device 300 obtains information on the currently occurring traffic jam based on road traffic information received by the communication I / F 315, which will be described later, and can predict a traffic jam situation at a specified time based on the past traffic jam information. Become.

In this embodiment, the map information is stored in the magnetic disk 305 or the optical disk 307. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The map information is not limited to the information provided integrally with the hardware of the navigation device 300, and may be provided outside the navigation device 300. In this case, the navigation apparatus 300 acquires map information via a network through communication I / F315, for example. The acquired map information is stored in the RAM 303, the magnetic disk 305, etc., and is read out as necessary.

The voice I / F 308 is connected to a microphone 309 for voice input and a speaker 310 for voice output. The sound received by the microphone 309 is A / D converted in the sound I / F 308. In addition, sound is output from the speaker 310. Note that the sound input from the microphone 309 can be stored in the magnetic disk 305 or the optical disk 307 as sound data.

The input device 311 may be a remote controller, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc. provided with a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, and the like. The input device 311 inputs data corresponding to the key selected by the user into the apparatus.

The video I / F 312 is connected to the display 313 and the camera 314. Specifically, the video I / F 312 includes, for example, a graphic controller that controls the entire display 313, a buffer memory such as a VRAM (Video RAM) that temporarily stores image information that can be displayed immediately, and a graphic controller. Based on the output image data, the display 313 is configured by a control IC or the like.

The display 313 displays icons, cursors, menus, windows, or various data such as characters and images. As the display 313, for example, a CRT, a TFT liquid crystal display, a plasma display, an organic EL display, or the like can be used.

The camera 314 captures images inside or outside the vehicle. The image may be either a still image or a moving image. For example, a camera 314 captures the behavior of a passenger inside the vehicle, and the captured image is stored in a storage medium such as the CPU 301, magnetic disk 305, or optical disk 307 via the video I / F 312. Output to.

Also, the camera 314 captures the situation outside the vehicle and outputs the captured image to a storage medium such as the magnetic disk 305 or the optical disk 307 via the video I / F 312. The video output to the CPU 301 is used, for example, for determining the specific behavior of the passenger. Further, the video output to the storage medium is overwritten and stored as a drive recorder image.

The communication I / F 315 is connected to the network via wireless and functions as an interface between the navigation device 300 and the CPU 301. The communication I / F 315 is further connected to a communication network such as the Internet via wireless, and also functions as an interface between the communication network and the CPU 301. The communication I / F 315 receives a television broadcast or a radio broadcast.

Communication networks include LAN, WAN, public line network and mobile phone network. Specifically, the communication I / F 315 includes, for example, an FM tuner, a VICS / beacon receiver, a wireless navigation device, and other navigation devices. The communication I / F 315 receives road traffic information such as traffic congestion and traffic regulations distributed from the VICS center. get.

The GPS unit 316 receives radio waves from GPS satellites and calculates information indicating the current location of the vehicle. The output information of the GPS unit 316 is used when the current position of the vehicle is specified by the CPU 301 together with output values of various sensors 317 described later. The information indicating the current location is information for specifying one point on the map information such as latitude / longitude and altitude.

The various sensors 317 output information that can determine the position and behavior of the vehicle (or the navigation device 300) such as a vehicle speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, and an angular velocity sensor. The output values of the various sensors 317 are used by the CPU 301 for specifying the current location of the vehicle (or the navigation device 300), measuring the amount of change in speed and direction, and the like.

The destination information input unit 101 of the expense calculation apparatus 100 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is input device 311, the number of people information input unit 102 is input device 311, and the search unit 103 is CPU 301 and ROM 302. The calculation unit 104 can be realized by the CPU 301 and the ROM 302, and the output unit 105 can be realized by the audio I / F 308 and the speaker 310, or the video I / F 312 and the display 313.

(Contents of total expenses calculated by navigation device)
Next, the calculation contents of the total cost by the navigation device will be described. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) showing the calculation contents of the total cost by the navigation device. Note that the example shown in FIG. 4 is an example in which N people travel from a current point A to a target point B using public transportation.

As shown in FIG. 4, the route R that travels from the current point A point to the destination point B using public transportation has route information 410. Here, the route information is information including passage means used when passing the route, the distance of the route, the required time required for passing the route, and unit cost. Here, as described above, the unit cost is a cost for one person (or for one vehicle) required when passing through a predetermined section such as the route R. The distance, the required time, and the unit cost are calculated based on, for example, the cost between links embedded in the map information in advance.

For example, the route information 410 of the route R includes passage means used for passage of the route R (“train” in FIG. 4), a distance DR of the route R, and a required time TR required for passage of the route R. , And a unit cost CR required for passing through the route R.

Based on the route information 410, the navigation apparatus 300 calculates the total cost required for passing the route R. Specifically, in the route R, each N person costs a CR, so N × CR is the total cost required for passing the route R. In this way, the navigation device 300 calculates the total cost of the route to the destination point, and obtains the total cost information 420.

Next, for example, the calculation contents of the total cost by the navigation device when there is a transfer from a vehicle to public transportation will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) showing the calculation contents of the total cost by the navigation device. Note that the example shown in FIG. 5 is an example in which N1 people move under the age of 13 and N2 people under the age of 13 move from the current point A to the target point D. It is assumed that one vehicle is used at this time.

As shown in FIG. 5, the navigation apparatus 300 first searches for a route R0 from the current point A to the destination point D when the destination point information having the point D as the destination point is input. The route R0 is composed of a route R1 from the current point A to the transit point B, a route R2 from the transit point B to the transit point C, and a route R3 from the transit point C to the destination point D. Is done.

Routes R1 to R3 have route information 510 to 530 obtained when the route R0 is searched. As shown in FIG. 5, the route information 510 of the route R1 includes the passage means (“vehicle” in FIG. 5) used for passage of the route R1, the distance DR1 of the route R1, and the passage R1. Required time TR1 and a unit cost CR1 required for passing the route R1.

Similarly, the route information 520 of the route R2 includes passage means (in FIG. 5, “train”) used for passage of the route R2, the distance DR2 of the route R2, and the required time TR2 required for passage of the route R2. And unit cost CR21 and CR22 necessary for passing the route R2. The route information 530 of the route R3 includes a passing means (“walk” in FIG. 5) used for passage of the route R3, a distance DR3 of the route R3, and a required time TR3 required for passage of the route R3. The unit cost required for passing through the route R3 is included. For example, when the passing means is “walking”, the unit cost is “0”.

By the way, the route R2 has two types of unit cost, that is, unit cost CR21 and CR22. This is because a railway company that operates a train that is a means of passing through the route R2 employs a fee form in which the boarding fee varies depending on the age. For example, when passing through the route R2, the unit cost for the age of 13 and over is CR21, and the unit cost for the age under 13 is CR22.

From these, the navigation apparatus 300 calculates expenses required for passing through the respective routes R1 to R3. For example, on the route R1, as described above, since there is one vehicle used for passing, the unit cost CR1 becomes the cost necessary for passing the route R1 as it is (that is, CR1).

In route R2, since N1 each costs CR21, and N2 each costs CR22, N1 × CR21 + N2 × CR22 is an expense required for passage through route R2. In the route R3, since the passing means is “walk” and the unit cost is “0”, the cost required for passing the route R3 is also “0”.

When the navigation apparatus 300 calculates the expenses required for passing through each of the routes R1 to R3, the navigation apparatus 300 calculates the total expenses as the sum of these expenses. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, CR1 + N1 × CR21 + N2 × CR22 is calculated as the total cost of the route R0, and the total cost information 540 is obtained.

(Processing procedure of navigation device)
Next, a processing procedure of the navigation device of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the navigation device of this embodiment. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is started, for example, when the navigation apparatus 300 is powered on.

As shown in FIG. 6, the navigation apparatus 300 first acquires current location information (step S601). In addition, the navigation apparatus 300 acquires the current location information regularly at a predetermined time interval, for example. Specifically, for example, the navigation apparatus 300 acquires the current location information when the CPU 301 executes the above-described current location specifying program.

In step S601, after acquiring the current location information, the navigation device 300 returns to step S601 until the input of the destination location information is received, and repeats the above processing (step S602: No loop). Specifically, for example, the navigation apparatus 300 repeats the above processing until the input device 311 is operated by the user and the input of the destination point information is received by detecting the operation.

If it is determined in step S602 that the input of the destination point information has been received (step S602: Yes), the navigation apparatus 300 waits until the input of the number of people information is received (step S603: No loop). Specifically, for example, the navigation apparatus 300 waits until the input device 311 is operated by the user and the input of the number information is received by detecting the operation.

If it is determined in step S603 that the input of the number information is accepted (step S603: Yes), the navigation device 300 searches for a route including public transportation when searching for a route to the destination point. It is determined whether or not (step S604). Specifically, for example, whether or not to search for a route including public transportation is set in the navigation device 300 according to the user's option. The navigation device 300 determines whether or not to search for a route including public transportation based on the setting by the user.

If it is determined in step S604 that a route including public transportation is to be searched (step S604: Yes), the navigation device 300 determines a route to the destination based on the destination information received in step S602. Search is performed (step S605). In this case, a plurality of routes that consider the use of public transportation are searched.

In step S605, after searching for the route to the destination point, the navigation apparatus 300 calculates the total cost of the searched route based on the number information received in step S603 and the route searched in step S605 ( Step S606). At this time, if there are a plurality of searched routes, the total cost is calculated for each route. Specifically, for example, the navigation apparatus 300 calculates the total cost when the CPU 301 executes the above-described total cost calculation program. The calculation contents of the total expense are as described above.

In step S606, after calculating the total cost, the navigation apparatus 300 selects two routes with a low total cost from the routes searched in step S605 (step S607). For example, when other conditions are set in advance by the user, the route may be selected in consideration of not only the total expenses but also other preset conditions. Moreover, not only two paths but three or more paths may be used.

In step S607, after selecting the two routes, the navigation apparatus 300 determines whether or not the difference between the total costs in the two routes is equal to or less than a predetermined amount (step S608). Here, the predetermined amount may be an amount set in advance by the manufacturing side of the navigation device 300 or an amount arbitrarily set by the user.

If it is determined in step S608 that the difference is equal to or smaller than the predetermined amount (step S608: Yes), the navigation device 300 aims for the route with the shorter required time out of the two routes selected in step S607. The route to the point is determined (step S609).

If it is determined in step S608 that the difference is not equal to or less than the predetermined amount (step S608: No), the navigation device 300 selects the route with the smaller total cost out of the two routes selected in step S607. The route to the destination point is determined (step S610).

In step S609 or step S610, after determining the route to the destination point, the navigation apparatus 300 outputs the total cost information of the determined route, guides the route (step S611), and ends the series of processes. .

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S604 that the route including the public transportation is not searched (step S604: No), the navigation device 300 moves based on the destination point information received in step S602. Only the route to the destination point is searched (step S612).

In step S612, after searching for a route to the destination point, the total cost of the searched route is calculated (step S613). In step S613, after calculating the total cost, the navigation apparatus 300 outputs the total cost information of the route and guides the route (step S611), and ends the series of processes.

(Specific display example of navigation device)
Next, a specific display example of the navigation device of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) illustrating a specific display example of the navigation device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, map information 700 around the current location of the vehicle equipped with the navigation device 300 is displayed on the display 313 of the navigation device 300.

Furthermore, various icons and windows are displayed on the display 313. The icon indicated by reference numeral 710 in FIG. 7 is, for example, a host vehicle icon 710 indicating the current location of a vehicle on which the navigation device 300 is mounted. In addition, a guidance route 711 is formed on a route connecting the vehicle icon 710 and the destination point.

7 is a guide route information window 720 on which information on the guide route 711 to the destination point is displayed. The contents displayed in the guidance route information window 720 include, for example, the distance to the destination point (route point), the estimated arrival time at the destination point (route point), and the like.

The window indicated by reference numeral 730 in FIG. 7 is an expense information window 730 in which total expense information regarding the total expense to the destination point is displayed. The contents displayed in the total expense information window 730 include, for example, the total expense amount, the round-trip total expense amount, the name of the waypoint, the passing means for each section, the required time for each section, respectively. There are expenses for each section.

In this embodiment, one of the two routes selected in step S607 is determined based on the difference in the total cost, and the route is output. However, the present invention is not limited to this. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) illustrating a specific display example of the navigation device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8,

route information windows

810 and 820 for two routes are displayed on the display 313 of the navigation device 300.

The expense information window 810 displays expense information for the route 1 from the current point to the destination point via the waypoints “A station” and “B station”. On the other hand, the expense information window 820 displays expense information for the route 2 from the current point to the destination point via the route points “XXIC” and “ΔΔIC”. For example, the user can guide the selected route to the navigation device 300 by selecting a desired route from among the route 1 and the route 2 with reference to the

expense information windows

810 and 820.

Furthermore, when moving toward a destination using a plurality of vehicles, the number of vehicles may be input. In this case, for example, in a section where the passing means is a vehicle, an expense corresponding to the number of vehicles is calculated. For example, in the route shown in FIG. 5, since the unit cost CR1 is, if the number of vehicles is NC, NC × CR1. Note that the unit cost when the passing means is a vehicle may take into account the fuel consumption of the vehicle (that is, the gasoline cost).

Furthermore, it is also possible to input the scheduled stay time at the destination point. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the user heads to A station with a vehicle and changes trains from A station. At this time, the vehicle used on the route R1 is parked in a parking lot around the station A, for example. It is assumed that the parking lot is, for example, coin parking where parking fees are added at predetermined time intervals.

As shown in FIG. 7, the required time from the destination point A station to the destination point is 60 minutes. The planned stay time at the destination is 120 minutes. After that, it takes 60 minutes to return to station A. That is, the user parks the vehicle for 240 minutes in the parking lot. Based on the charge form of the parking lot at this time, the parking fee when parking for 240 minutes is calculated. Then, the total cost including the parking fee may be calculated.

As described above, according to the navigation device 300 of the present embodiment, when the destination point information and the number of people information are input, the total cost necessary for moving to the destination point is calculated and the cost information is output. can do. Thereby, the user can know the total cost without performing complicated calculations even when a plurality of people go to the destination point, so that convenience can be improved.

Further, according to the navigation device 300 of the present embodiment, a route that takes into account the number of people to be moved is searched, and therefore an appropriate route according to the number of people can be searched. Thereby, when a user moves by a plurality of persons, the user can travel to the destination using an appropriate route according to the number of persons, and convenience can be improved.

Furthermore, according to the navigation apparatus 300 of the present embodiment, a plurality of routes are searched, a route is selected according to the required time to the destination point and the total cost, and guidance to the destination point is performed. By using an appropriate route, it is possible to go to the destination point, and convenience can be improved.

Then, according to the navigation device 300 of the present embodiment, for example, the route with the minimum required time is compared with the route with the minimum total cost, and when the difference is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, the arrival is earlier. It is possible to select a route that minimizes the required time to complete. In addition, when the difference is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, a route that minimizes the inexpensive total cost can be selected. As a result, the user can know the route to reach the destination point quickly when the difference is small, and the route to the destination point at a low price when the difference is large. You can go to the destination.

In this embodiment, when entering the number of persons to be moved, the number of persons for each category with different charges such as so-called adult charges and child charges is input. The number of personnel to whom various discounts are applied may be entered when using. For example, the number of disabled persons in addition to children.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, two routes with a low total cost are selected, but this is not restrictive. For example, if the route with the highest total cost is compared with the route with the lowest total cost and the difference between the total costs is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, two routes with a short required time may be selected. Good. Further, as described above, the selected route is not limited to two routes. The navigation device 300 may be realized by a mobile phone or the like.

Note that the route calculation method described in the present embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. The program may be a medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

Claims

Destination point information input means for receiving destination point information regarding the destination point;
Number-of-people information input means for accepting input of number-of-people information relating to the number of people moving toward the destination point;
Search means for searching for a route to the destination point based on the destination point information;
Based on the route searched by the search means and the number of people information, a calculation means for calculating a total cost required when moving to the destination point by the number of people,
Output means for outputting total expense information related to the total expense calculated by the calculation means;
An expense calculation device comprising:
The search means searches for a plurality of different routes,
The calculating means calculates the total cost of the plurality of routes for each route,
The output means outputs the total cost information of at least one route among the plurality of routes according to the total cost for each route calculated by the calculation means. The expense calculation device described.
Based on the plurality of routes searched by the search means, the calculating means is a route that requires a minimum time required to arrive at the destination point among the plurality of routes, or the total cost. Further comprising a specifying means for specifying a route that minimizes
The expense calculation apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the output means outputs the total expense information of the route specified by the specifying means.
The calculating means further comprises a judging means for judging whether or not a difference between the total costs of a route having the minimum required time and a route having the minimum total cost is a predetermined amount or more,
The output means outputs the total expense information of a route that minimizes the required time when the difference is determined to be equal to or greater than a predetermined amount by the determination means,
4. The expense calculation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the total expense information related to the route that minimizes the total expense is output.
The number information input means is:
The expense calculation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an input of the number of persons relating to the number of persons with different rates when using public transportation is accepted.
The calculating means includes
6. The expense calculation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a total round trip cost for the round trip of the route is calculated.
It further comprises an acquisition means for acquiring current location information regarding the current location,
The search means includes
The expense calculation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a route from the current location to the destination location is searched based on the current location information acquired by the acquisition means.
It further comprises arbitrary point information input means for receiving input of arbitrary point information regarding an arbitrary point,
The search means includes
7. The route from the arbitrary point to the destination point is searched based on the arbitrary point information input by the arbitrary point information input unit. Expense calculation device.
A destination information input process for receiving destination information related to the destination,
Number-of-people information input process for receiving input of number-of-people information related to the number of people moving toward the destination point;
A search step of searching for a route to the destination point based on the destination point information;
Based on the route searched by the search step and the number of people information, a calculation step of calculating a total cost required when moving to the destination point by the number of people,
An output step of outputting expense information related to the total expense calculated by the calculating step;
An expense calculation method characterized by including:
An expense calculation program for causing a computer to execute the expense calculation method according to claim 9.
A computer-readable recording medium on which the expense calculation program according to claim 10 is recorded.