JP2009093560A - Information management server, navigation device, information management method, navigation method, information management program, navigation program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To deliver probe information to a road without deviation. <P>SOLUTION: The information management server 100 for managing probe information to be shared among mobile bodies comprises a storage part 101; an extraction part 102; a transmission part 103; a receiving part 104; and a storage control part 105. The storage part 101 stores the probe information. The extraction part 102 extracts an area with less probe information (minor area) of the probe information stored in the storage part 101. The transmission part 103 transmits information of the minor area extracted by the extraction part 102 to the mobile bodies. The receiving part 104 receives probe information transmitted from the mobile bodies by the transmission part 103. The storage control part 105 controls the storage part 101 to store the probe information received by the receiving part 104 as the probe information of the minor area extracted by the extraction part 102. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information management server, a navigation device, an information management method, a navigation method, an information management program, a navigation program, and a recording medium.

  Conventionally, road traffic information communication systems such as VICS (Vehicle Information Communication System: registered trademark) are widely used for collecting and distributing road traffic information. Such a road traffic information communication system installs an optical beacon or radio wave beacon (hereinafter referred to as a beacon) as a relay device on the road side, and the information management server is running from a moving body such as a vehicle via the beacon. And the like (uplink information).

  Further, the information management server generates road traffic information based on the uplink information received via the beacon, and transmits the road traffic information to a mobile terminal (vehicle terminal) such as a car navigation system via the beacon. . The vehicle can listen to or browse the received road traffic information.

  However, since VICS uses a beacon installed on a road, information on a point where the beacon is installed can be obtained, but information on a road where no beacon is installed cannot be obtained. Therefore, in order to collect and distribute road traffic information over a wide area, various information (probe information) detected by a GPS function or sensor mounted on the vehicle is transmitted to the information management server, so that the information management server A probe car system that collects probe information is known (for example, see Patent Document 1 below). This technology makes it possible to obtain effective traffic information by collecting probe information of a large number of vehicles, even if the probe information of only one vehicle is not effective.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-172977

  However, although the technology described in Patent Document 1 described above can distribute effective traffic information on a road with a large number of vehicles traveling, it cannot distribute effective traffic information on a road with a small number of vehicles traveling. Is given as an example. That is, the problem that the road cover is biased is an example.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the information management server according to the invention of claim 1 manages information for traveling (hereinafter referred to as “probe information”) that can be shared between moving bodies. In the server, the storage means for storing the probe information, the extraction means for extracting an area with a small amount of the probe information (hereinafter referred to as “a minority area”) from the probe information stored in the storage means, and the movement Transmitting means for transmitting the information of the minority area extracted by the extracting means to the body, and receiving means for receiving the probe information transmitted from the mobile body in response to transmission of the transmitting means; A storage for storing the probe information received by the reception unit in the storage unit as the probe information of the minority area extracted by the extraction unit Characterized in that it comprises a control means.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a navigation device mounted on a mobile body, wherein the navigation device is a setting means for setting a destination and traveling data that can be shared between the mobile bodies (hereinafter referred to as “probe information”). Receiving means for receiving information of an area with a small amount of probe information (hereinafter referred to as “a minority area”) from an information management server that manages “
Guidance is provided by search means for searching for a route to the destination via the minority area received by the reception means, guidance means for guiding the route searched by the search means, and guidance by the guide means. And transmitting means for transmitting the probe information of the route to the information management server.

  An information management method according to the invention of claim 14 is an information management method of an information management server for managing traveling information (hereinafter referred to as “probe information”) that can be shared between moving bodies. A storing step for storing, an extracting step for extracting a region having a small amount of the probe information (hereinafter referred to as a “minority region”) out of the probe information stored in the storing step; In the transmission step of transmitting the information on the minority area extracted in the extraction step, the reception step of receiving the probe information transmitted from the mobile body in response to the transmission of the transmission step, and the reception step Storage control means for storing the received probe information as probe information of the minority area extracted in the extraction step.

  Further, the navigation method according to the invention of claim 15 is a navigation method of a navigation device mounted on a mobile body, a setting step for setting a destination, and traveling data that can be shared between the mobile bodies (hereinafter, A reception step of receiving information on a region with a small amount of probe information (hereinafter referred to as “a minority region”) from an information management server that manages “probe information”, and the minority region received in the reception step. A search step for searching for a route to the destination via, a guide step for guiding the route searched for in the search step, and probe information of the route guided in the guide step, A transmission step of transmitting to the information management server.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, an information management program causes a computer to execute the information management method according to the fourteenth aspect.

  According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, a navigation program causes a computer to execute the navigation method according to the fifteenth aspect.

  A recording medium according to an eighteenth aspect of the invention is characterized in that the program according to the sixteenth or seventeenth aspect is recorded in a computer-readable manner.

  Exemplary embodiments of an information management server, a navigation device, an information management method, a navigation method, an information management program, a navigation program, and a recording medium according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment)
(Functional configuration of the information management server 100)
A functional configuration of the information management server 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the information management server 100 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 1, the information management server 100 manages travel information (hereinafter referred to as “probe information”) that can be shared between moving objects. The information management server 100 includes a storage unit 101, an extraction unit 102, a transmission unit 103, a reception unit 104, a storage control unit 105, an acquisition unit 106, a search unit 107, and a provision unit 108. Yes.

  The storage unit 101 stores probe information. The probe information includes real-time information such as road information such as traffic regulation and traffic closure, traffic jam information such as the presence / absence of traffic jam, length of traffic jam and degree of congestion, and weather information such as rain and snow. Supplementing the probe car system using probe information, for example, it is possible to obtain road information and traffic jam information based on the detour situation and speed of many vehicles, and the wiper of many vehicles. It is a system that can obtain weather information based on the operating speed and the operating status of the anti-lock braking system.

  The extraction unit 102 extracts, from the probe information stored in the storage unit 101, a region with a small amount of probe information (hereinafter referred to as “a minority region”). Specifically, the minority area is a road where the traffic volume is small, that is, the probe information is small and effective traffic information cannot be obtained. The extraction unit 102 may extract all the minority areas from the probe information stored in the storage unit 101, or prioritize them according to the scale or type of the road. Therefore, you may extract a minority area.

  The transmission unit 103 transmits the information on the minority area extracted by the extraction unit 102 to the mobile object. The transmission destination may be, for example, all mobile bodies in a predetermined area, or a mobile body that is traveling in a region with a lot of probe information (hereinafter referred to as “multiple regions”) around a small region. There may be.

  The reception unit 104 receives the probe information transmitted from the mobile body in response to the transmission of the transmission unit 103. Specifically, the probe information transmitted from the mobile body is probe information of a minority area where the mobile body traveled. The storage control unit 105 causes the storage unit 101 to store the probe information received by the reception unit 104 as the probe information of the minority area extracted by the extraction unit 102.

  In the present embodiment, the storage unit 101 may store a history of probe information. In this case, the extraction unit 102 extracts regions and time zones that are minority regions from the history of probe information stored in the storage unit 101. In addition, the transmission unit 103 transmits a region and a time zone that are minority regions extracted by the extraction unit 102.

  In this case, the receiving unit 104 receives the transmission of the transmitting unit 103 and receives the probe information of the time period from the moving body. Further, the storage control unit 105 causes the storage unit 101 to store the probe information received by the reception unit 104 as probe information of a region and a time zone that are minority regions extracted by the extraction unit 102. In this configuration, in addition to real-time minority area information, information on the time zone to be a minority area based on history is transmitted, and the mobile unit is encouraged to travel in the minority area at that time. The number of areas that become minority areas is reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the acquisition unit 106 and the search unit 107 are arbitrary components. The acquisition unit 106 acquires information on the destination set in the moving body and information on the current position of the moving body. Based on the information on the destination acquired by the acquisition unit 106 and the information on the current position of the moving body, the search unit 107 routes from the current position to the destination via the minority area extracted by the extraction unit 102. Explore. In this case, the transmission unit 103 transmits the route searched by the search unit 107 to the mobile object. In this configuration, the information management server 100 can search for a route.

  In the present embodiment, the providing unit 108 is an arbitrary component. The providing unit 108 provides a predetermined service to the mobile unit when the receiving unit 104 receives the probe information of the minority area from the mobile unit. This configuration is a configuration that provides a benefit to the user and encourages traveling in a minority area by providing the service.

  The predetermined service to be provided may be arbitrarily set. For example, it may be a uniform service, but typically, it is a service corresponding to a travel distance, a travel time, or a travel count when passing through a small area. There are some.

  Further, the service to be provided is preferably a point service. For example, in the case of a service corresponding to a travel distance, points may be given according to the travel distance. In this case, the points can be returned, for example, discounts for various paid services, conversion to credit card points, and the like. By giving points in this manner, points can be accumulated and various services can be provided.

  Further, the predetermined service provided by the providing unit 108 may be distributed by the number of mobile units that have passed through a minority area. By setting it as such a service, since the content of the service provided is improved, so that the traveling amount of a moving body is small, it becomes possible to promote the driving | running | working of a small area of a moving body more.

(Functional configuration of navigation device 200)
A functional configuration of the navigation device 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the navigation device 200 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 2, the navigation device 200 is mounted on a moving body, and includes a setting unit 201, a reception unit 202, a search unit 203, a guide unit 204, a transmission unit 205, and an input unit 206. ing.

  The setting unit 201 sets a destination. The destination is, for example, a facility, a parking lot associated with the facility, or a point on the road.

  The receiving unit 202 receives information on a region (a small number of regions) with a small amount of probe information from the information management server 100 that manages the probe information. As described above, the probe information is real-time information such as road information, traffic jam information, and weather information. The timing of receiving the minority area is arbitrary, and may be when a destination is set, during route guidance, during traveling outside the route guidance, or the like.

  The search unit 203 searches for a route to the destination via the minority area received by the receiving unit 202. If there are multiple minority areas, you may search for a route that passes through multiple minority areas, or you may search for a route that has the shortest distance to the destination among the routes that pass through multiple minority areas. Also good.

  The guide unit 204 guides the route searched by the search unit 203. Guidance by the guide unit 204 is performed using display from the display unit or sound from a speaker. The transmission unit 205 transmits the probe information of the route guided by the guide unit 204 to the information management server.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, the receiving part 202 may receive the information of the time zone of the area used as a minority area from an information management server. In this case, the search unit 203 searches for a route to the destination via the area in a time zone that is a minority area. More specifically, the time zone information of a region that is a minority region is extracted from the history of probe information stored in the information management server 100 described above. In this configuration, in addition to real-time information on a minority area, information on a time zone that is a minority area is received. It is possible to perform route search.

  In the present embodiment, setting unit 201 may set an arrival time at the destination. In this case, the search unit 203 searches for a route to the destination via the minority area so as to arrive at the destination at the arrival time set in the setting unit 201. In this configuration, when the arrival time is in time, a route passing through a minority area is caused to travel.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the search unit 203 searches for a route that passes through the minority area and a normal route that does not pass through the minority area, and asks the user any one of the searched plural paths. Control for prompting selection may be performed. In this case, the guide unit 204 guides the selected route. Specifically, the control for prompting the selection is performed by a display unit or the like for prompting the selection. The selection is accepted by the input unit 206. The input from the input unit 206 may be an operation input or a voice input. In this configuration, a traveling route can be selected by an input from a user.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the search unit 203 searches for a route passing through a minority area and a normal route each time the mobile body is located in the vicinity of an intersection or a branch point, and Control for prompting selection of any one of a plurality of searched routes may be performed. In this case, the guide unit 204 guides the selected route. Note that the search unit 203 performs a route search based on real-time probe information, that is, based on information on a minority area received by the reception unit 202 every time the moving body is located near an intersection or a branch point. In this configuration, a traveling route can be selected for each intersection or branch point by an input from a user.

(Information management processing procedure of the information management server 100)
Next, the information management processing procedure of the information management server 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of an information management processing procedure of the information management server 100 according to the present embodiment.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 3, in the information management server 100, the extraction unit 102 extracts a minority area (step S301). And the transmission part 103 transmits the information of the extracted minority area with respect to a moving body (step S302). After that, it waits until the receiving unit 104 receives probe information from the moving body (step S303: No loop). When the probe information is received from the moving body (step S303: Yes), the storage control unit 105 receives the probe information. Then, the storage is controlled as the probe information of the extracted minority area (step S304). Then, the storage unit 101 stores the probe information (step S305), and the series of processing ends.

(Navigation procedure of navigation device 200)
Next, a navigation processing procedure of the navigation device 200 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the navigation processing procedure of the navigation device 200 according to the present embodiment.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 4, the navigation device 200 determines whether or not a destination has been set (step S401). It is in a standby state until the destination is set (step S401: No loop). When the destination is set (step S401: Yes), the receiving unit 104 receives minority area information from the information management server 100 (step S402).

  Then, the search unit 203 searches for a route to the destination via the minority area (step S403). Thereafter, the guide unit 204 guides the route to the destination (step S404). Thereafter, the transmission unit 205 transmits the probe information of the route that has been guided to the information management server 100 (step S405), and the series of processing ends.

  As described above, the information management server 100 according to the present embodiment transmits the extracted minority region information to the navigation device 200, receives the probe information from the navigation device 200, and extracts the received probe information. It was stored as probe information for a small number of areas. Therefore, it is possible to collect probe information of a small number of areas where the number of traveling vehicles is small, and it is possible to distribute probe information with no bias to the road cover to the navigation device 200.

  In addition, the navigation device 200 according to the present embodiment searches for a route to the destination via the minority area received from the information management server 100, guides the route, and manages the probe information of the guided route. It was sent to the server 100. As a result, the information management server 100 can collect probe information of a small number of areas, and the navigation device 200 can receive probe information with no bias on the road cover.

  Therefore, the user can obtain probe information with no bias in the road cover, and can travel on the optimum route.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below. In this embodiment, a probe car system including an information management server and a navigation device will be described.

(System overview)
First, the outline of the probe car system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the probe car system according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 5, the probe car system 500 includes an information management server 501 and a plurality of navigation devices 502. The information management server 501 and the navigation device 502 are communicatively connected via a network 510.

  The information management server 501 includes a DB (Date Base) that stores travel information (hereinafter referred to as “probe information”) that can be shared between moving objects. This DB also stores a history of past probe information. The information management server 501 distributes probe information to the navigation device 502.

  The navigation device 502 is mounted on a vehicle such as a moving body, and displays the probe information received from the information management server 501 and performs a route search based on the probe information. In addition, the probe information acquired by traveling is transmitted to the information management server 501.

(Hardware configuration of information management server 501)
The hardware configuration of the information management server 501 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the information management server 501 according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 6, the information management server 501 includes a CPU 601, a ROM 602, a RAM 603, a magnetic disk drive 604, a magnetic disk 605, an optical disk drive 606, an optical disk 607, an audio I / F (interface) 608, and a speaker. 609, an input device 610, a video I / F 611, a display 612, and a communication I / F 613. The constituent units 601 to 613 are connected to each other by a bus 620.

  The CPU 601 governs overall control of the information management server 501. The ROM 602 records various programs such as a boot program, a communication program, an information management program, and a point calculation program. The RAM 603 is used as a work area for the CPU 601.

  The information management program extracts a minority area from the probe information stored in the DB, transmits the extracted minority area information to the navigation device 502, and uses the received probe information as the extracted minority area probe information. , Stored in the DB.

  The point calculation program calculates points to be given to each navigation device 502 according to the probe information of the minority area received from the navigation device 502. The calculated points are stored in the DB for each user.

  The magnetic disk drive 604 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the magnetic disk 605 according to control of CPU601. The magnetic disk 605 records data written under the control of the magnetic disk drive 604. As the magnetic disk 605, for example, an HD (hard disk) or an FD (flexible disk) can be used.

  The optical disk drive 606 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the optical disk 607 according to control of CPU601. The optical disk 607 is a detachable recording medium from which data is read according to the control of the optical disk drive 606. As the optical disk 607, a writable recording medium can be used. In addition to the optical disk 607, the removable recording medium may be an MO, a memory card, or the like.

  The audio I / F 608 is connected to an audio output speaker 609. The speaker 609 outputs sound. Examples of the input device 610 include a remote controller including a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like. The input device 610 may be realized by any one of a remote controller, a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel, or may be realized by a plurality of forms.

  The video I / F 611 is connected to the display 612. Specifically, the video I / F 611 includes, for example, a graphic controller that controls the entire display 612, a buffer memory such as a VRAM (Video RAM) that temporarily records image information that can be displayed immediately, and a graphic controller. Based on the output image data, the display 612 is configured by a control IC or the like.

  The display 612 displays icons, cursors, menus, windows, or various data such as characters and images. As the display 612, for example, a CRT, a TFT liquid crystal display, a plasma display, or the like can be adopted.

  The communication I / F 613 is connected to a network via wireless and functions as an interface between the information management server 501 and the CPU 601. The communication I / F 613 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 601.

  The information management server 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a storage unit 101, an extraction unit 102, a transmission unit 103, a reception unit 104, a storage control unit 105, an acquisition unit 106, a search unit 107, and a provision unit. 108, the CPU 601 executes a predetermined program using programs and data recorded in the ROM 602, RAM 603, magnetic disk 605, optical disk 607, etc. in the information management server 501 shown in FIG. The function is realized by controlling each part.

  That is, the information management server 501 of the present embodiment executes the information management program recorded in the ROM 602 as a recording medium in the information management server 501, thereby providing the functions of the information management server 100 shown in FIG. It can be executed by the information management processing procedure shown in FIG.

(Hardware configuration of navigation device 502)
A hardware configuration of the navigation apparatus 502 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the navigation device 502 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 7, a navigation device 502 is mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle, and includes a CPU 701, a ROM 702, a RAM 703, a magnetic disk drive 704, a magnetic disk 705, an optical disk drive 706, an optical disk 707, and audio. I / F (interface) 708, microphone 709, speaker 710, input device 711, video I / F 712, display 713, communication I / F 714, GPS unit 715, and various sensors 716 are provided. Yes. Each component 701 to 716 is connected by a bus 720.

  The CPU 701 governs overall control of the navigation device 502. The ROM 702 records various programs such as a boot program, a current location calculation program, a route search program, a route guidance program, and a transmission program. The RAM 703 is used as a work area for the CPU 701.

  The current location calculation program, for example, calculates the current location of the vehicle (the current location of the navigation device 502) based on output information from a GPS unit 715 and various sensors 716 described later.

  The route search program searches for an optimum route from the departure point to the destination point using map data recorded on a magnetic disk 705 described later. Here, the optimum route is a shortest (or fastest) route to the destination point or a route that best matches a condition specified by the user. Further, not only the destination point but also a route to a stop point or a rest point may be searched. Also, the route may be a route that passes through a small number of areas with less probe information. The searched guidance route is output to the audio I / F 708 and the video I / F 712 via the CPU 701.

  The route guidance program is based on the guidance route information searched by executing the route search program, the vehicle current location information calculated by executing the current location calculation program, and the map data read from the magnetic disk 705. Real-time route guidance information is generated. The generated route guidance information is output to the audio I / F 708 and the video I / F 712 via the CPU 701.

  The transmission program is a program for acquiring probe information of a road on which the vehicle has traveled and causing the information management server 501 to transmit the probe information. The acquired probe information is output to the communication I / F 714 via the CPU 701.

  The magnetic disk drive 704 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the magnetic disk 705 according to control of CPU701. The magnetic disk 705 records data written under the control of the magnetic disk drive 704. As the magnetic disk 705, for example, an HD (hard disk) or an FD (flexible disk) can be used.

  The optical disk drive 706 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the optical disk 707 according to control of CPU701. The optical disc 707 is a detachable recording medium from which data is read according to the control of the optical disc drive 706. As the optical disk 707, a writable recording medium can be used. In addition to the optical disk 707, the removable recording medium may be an MO, a memory card, or the like.

  The audio I / F 708 is connected to a microphone 709 for audio input and a speaker 710 for audio output. For example, the microphone 709 is installed near the sun visor of the vehicle, and the number thereof may be one or more. The sound received by the microphone 709 is A / D converted in the sound I / F 708. The sound input from the microphone 709 is appropriately recorded on the magnetic disk 705 or the optical disk 707 as sound information for each user. Sound is output from the speaker 710.

  Examples of the input device 711 include a remote controller having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, and the like, a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel. The input device 711 may be realized by any one of a remote controller, a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel, or may be realized by a plurality of forms.

  The video I / F 712 is connected to the display 713. Specifically, the video I / F 712 includes, for example, a graphic controller that controls the entire display 713, a buffer memory such as a VRAM (Video RAM) that temporarily records image information that can be displayed immediately, and a graphic controller. Based on the output image data, the display 713 is configured by a control IC or the like.

  The display 713 displays icons, cursors, menus, windows, or various data such as characters and images. On the display 713, map data is drawn two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally. The map data displayed on the display 713 can be displayed with a mark representing the current location of the vehicle on which the navigation device 502 is mounted. The current position of the vehicle is calculated by the CPU 701.

  As the display 713, for example, a CRT, a TFT liquid crystal display, a plasma display, or the like can be adopted. The display 713 is installed near the dashboard of the vehicle, for example. A plurality of displays 713 may be installed in the vehicle, for example, in the vicinity of the dashboard of the vehicle or in the vicinity of the rear seat of the vehicle.

  The communication I / F 714 is connected to a network via wireless and functions as an interface between the navigation device 502 and the CPU 701. The communication I / F 714 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 701.

  Communication networks include LANs, WANs, public line networks and mobile phone networks. Specifically, the communication I / F 714 includes, for example, an FM tuner, a VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) / beacon receiver, a radio navigation device, and other navigation devices. Get road information such as regulations. VICS is a registered trademark.

  The communication I / F 714, for example, when using DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication), is configured by an in-vehicle wireless device that performs two-way wireless communication with a wireless device installed on the roadside, and includes traffic information and map information. Get various information. A specific example of DSRC is ETC (non-stop automatic fee payment system).

  The GPS unit 715 receives radio waves from GPS satellites and outputs information indicating the current location of the vehicle. The output information of the GPS unit 715 is used when the CPU 701 calculates the current location of the vehicle together with output values of various sensors 716 described later. The information indicating the current location is information for specifying one point on the map data, such as latitude / longitude and altitude.

  Various sensors 716 output information such as a vehicle speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, and an angular velocity sensor that can determine the position and behavior of the vehicle. The output values of the various sensors 716 are used for the calculation of the current location of the vehicle by the CPU 701 and the measurement of the change in speed and direction.

  The setting unit 201, the receiving unit 202, the search unit 203, the guide unit 204, the transmission unit 205, and the input unit 206 included in the navigation device 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 are the navigation device 502 illustrated in FIG. The CPU 701 executes a predetermined program using the programs and data recorded in the ROM 702, RAM 703, magnetic disk 705, optical disk 707, etc., and controls each part in the navigation device 502, thereby realizing its function.

  That is, the navigation device 502 of the present embodiment executes the route search program recorded in the ROM 702 as a recording medium in the navigation device 502, thereby providing the functions of the navigation device 200 shown in FIG. The navigation processing procedure shown can be executed.

(An example of information management processing performed by the information management server 501)
Next, an example of information management processing performed by the information management server 501 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of information management processing performed by the information management server 501 according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 8, the information management server 501 extracts current minority region information and past minority region information from the DB (step S801). Then, the extracted minority area information is transmitted to the navigation device 502 (step S802). Thereafter, the system waits until probe information is received from the navigation device 502 (step S803: No loop). When probe information is received (step S803: Yes), the received probe information is extracted from the extracted minority region probe information. Is stored (step S804).

  Then, the DB stores probe information (step S805). Thereafter, points are calculated based on the probe information received from the navigation device 502 (step S806). Further, the point information is transmitted to the navigation device 502 (step S807), the point information for each navigation device 502 is stored (step S808), and the series of processes is terminated.

  In step S802 described above, information on a small number of areas is transmitted. However, if the information management server 501 has a function for performing a route search, information on the current position of the mobile object and the destination May be obtained, and a route through a minority area may be searched to transmit the route information to the mobile unit.

  Here, the points calculated based on the probe information will be described. First, the points can be discounted for various paid services such as ETC discounts and map update discounts, and converted into credit card points. Further, this point corresponds to probe information, and increases or decreases depending on, for example, the travel distance, travel time, travel count, etc. in a small number of areas.

  More specifically, in the case of a point corresponding to a travel distance, the calculated point may correspond to the actual travel distance, or the difference between the actual travel distance and a route that does not pass through a minority area (normal route). You may make it correspond. In the case of a point corresponding to the travel time, the calculated point may correspond to the actual travel time, may correspond to the time difference between the actual travel time and the normal route, or may be a minority area. You may make it respond | correspond to time, such as a high time zone. In this case, it is only necessary to increase the number of points as the above-described distance difference and time difference values are large, that is, as the loss when passing through a route passing through a small number of regions is large.

  In addition to this, the calculated points correspond to the distance of traffic jams, signal waiting time, fuel consumption, etc., and the more points are lost when passing through a route through a minority area, the larger the number of points. May be. Further, the degree of importance when acquiring probe information such as road type and surrounding probe information may be made to correspond. Further, the number of points may be increased when the race is completed in a small number of regions, or the number of points may be increased when the points are not within the VICS link. Further, this point is accumulated, and when the accumulated point reaches a certain number or more, an additional point may be given or the point magnification may be changed.

  In particular, this point may be distributed by the number of mobile units that pass through a minority area. Specifically, the points to be given to the user are set to a predetermined value in advance, and the number of points given is divided by the number of navigation devices 502 that transmitted the probe information, so calculate. According to such a point calculation method, the smaller the amount of travel of the moving body, the more services are provided. Therefore, it is possible to further encourage the traveling body to travel in a small area.

  According to the above-described processing, the extracted minority region information is transmitted to the navigation device 502, the probe information is received from the navigation device 502, and the received probe information is stored as the extracted minority region probe information. I made it. Therefore, probe information of a small number of areas can be collected, and probe information with no bias on the road cover can be distributed to the navigation device 502. Therefore, the user can obtain probe information with no bias in the road cover, and can travel on the optimum route.

  In addition, by providing the user with the benefit of traveling in the minority area, the user can be further encouraged to travel in the minority area. In particular, since the granted points can be stored and accumulated, various services can be provided.

(Example of navigation processing performed by the navigation device 502)
Next, an example of navigation processing performed by the navigation device 502 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of navigation processing performed by the navigation device 502 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 9, the received minority area is displayed, and a process for performing a route search after accepting selection of a waypoint from the user will be described.

  In FIG. 9, the navigation device 502 determines, for example, whether or not a destination has been set (step S901). It is in a standby state until a destination is set (step S901: No loop). When the destination is set (step S901: Yes), information on a minority area is received from the information management server 501 (step S902). Then, the minority area is displayed from the display 713 (step S903). Further, a display for accepting whether or not to pass through a minority area is performed (step S904). Details of the display screen in steps S903 and S904 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a search condition that passes through a minority area has been selected (step S905). In step S905, when a search condition that passes through a minority area is selected (step S905: Yes), a route to a destination that passes through the minority area is searched (step S906). On the other hand, in step S905, when the search condition passing through the minority area is not selected (step S905: No), the shortest (or fastest) normal route is searched from the current point (step S907).

  Thereafter, the searched route is guided (step S908). Then, the probe information of the route that has been guided is transmitted to the information management server 501 (step S909). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the destination has been reached (step S910). If it is determined in step S910 that the destination has not been reached (step S910: No), the process proceeds to step S908.

  If it is determined in step S910 that the destination has been reached (step S910: Yes), the fact is transmitted to the information management server 501 and point information is received from the information management server 501 (step S911). Further, the received point information is displayed (step S912), and the series of processes is terminated. The point information display in step S912 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Further, in step S906 described above, the processing when the navigation device 502 performs a route search has been described. However, when the information management server 501 can perform the route search, the navigation device 502 determines the current position. Information and destination information may be transmitted to the information management server 501, and a route searched by the information management server 501 may be received based on the information, and the received route may be guided.

  According to the above-described processing, since the minority area received from the information management server 501 is displayed, the user can know where the minority area exists. You can try to travel in the area in the belt. In addition, since the search condition passing through the minority area or the normal search condition is accepted, the user can select the search condition and can perform a route search according to the user's request.

  Moreover, a user can obtain a profit by giving points by traveling in a small number of areas. Furthermore, by accumulating these points, it is possible to receive various services.

(Another example of navigation processing performed by the navigation device 502)
Next, another example of the navigation processing performed by the navigation device 502 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the navigation process performed by the navigation device 502 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 10, after searching for a route that passes through a minority area and a normal route, the route selection from the user is accepted and the route is searched again at each intersection or branch point. The process of performing will be described.

  In FIG. 10, the navigation device 502 determines, for example, whether or not a destination has been set (step S1001). The destination setting in step S1001 may include setting the arrival time. It is in a standby state until the destination is set (step S1001: No loop). When the destination is set (step S1001: Yes), information on a minority area is received from the information management server 501 (step S1002). The information on the minority area includes information on the time zone of the minority area based on the history.

  Thereafter, a route that passes through a minority area and a normal route are searched (step S1003). In the route search, when the arrival time to the destination is set, the search is performed in consideration of the arrival time. Further, not only a real-time minority area but also a search that takes into account the time zone of the area that becomes the minority area and the transit time of the area based on the history is performed.

  Then, the route passing through the searched minority area and the normal route are displayed (step S1004). Further, it is accepted whether or not to guide the route through a minority area (step S1005). Details of the display screen in steps S1004 and S1005 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Then, it is determined whether or not a route passing through a minority area has been selected (step S1006). In step S1006, when a route passing through the minority area is selected (step S1006: Yes), the route passing through the minority area is guided (step S1007). On the other hand, if a route passing through a minority area is not selected in step S1006 (step S1006: No), the normal route is guided (step S1008).

  Thereafter, the probe information of the route that has been guided is transmitted to the information management server 501 (step S1009). Then, it is determined whether or not the current location is near an intersection or a branch point (step S1010). If it is determined in step S1010 that the vehicle is near an intersection or branch point (step S1010: Yes), the route from the point to the destination through the minority area and the normal route are searched again (step S1011). The process proceeds to step S1005. In the route re-search, if the arrival time to the destination is set, the search is performed in consideration of the arrival time.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1010 that the vehicle is not near the intersection or branch point (step S1010: No), it is determined whether or not the destination has been reached (step S1012). In step S1012, when it is determined that the destination has not been reached (step S1012: No), the process proceeds to step S1009.

  If it is determined in step S1012 that the destination has been reached (step S1012: Yes), point information is received from the information management server 501 (step S1013). Further, the received point information is displayed (step S1014), and the series of processes is terminated. Note that the display of the point information in step S1014 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Further, in steps S1003 and S1011 described above, the processing in the case where the navigation device 502 performs a route search has been described. However, when the information management server 501 can perform the route search, the navigation device 502 starts the processing. The information on the current position and the information on the destination may be transmitted to the information management server 501, the route searched by the information management server 501 may be received based on the information, and the received route may be guided.

  According to the above-described processing, since either one of the searched route via the minority area or the normal route is accepted, the route according to the user's request can be traveled. In addition, we re-searched for each intersection or branch point, and accepted either the route that goes through a minority area or the normal route, so the route according to the user's request for each intersection or branch point You can choose.

  In addition, since the arrival time to the destination is set and the route search is performed, it is possible to travel on a route that passes through a minority area within a range in time for the time. Moreover, a user can obtain a profit by giving points by traveling in a small number of areas. Furthermore, by accumulating these points, it is possible to receive various services.

(Example of display screen displayed on display 713)
Next, an example of a display screen displayed on the display 713 of the navigation device 502 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on the display 713 of the navigation device 502 according to the present embodiment.

  A display screen 1100 illustrated in FIG. 11 is an example of a screen displayed in steps S903 and S904 in FIG. That is, the display screen 1100 is a screen displayed when a destination is set in the navigation device 502 and information on a minority area is received.

  The display screen 1100 displays a current location 1101, a destination 1102, a surrounding route 1103, an A area 1110 that is a minority area, and a B area 1111 that is also a minority area. In the comment field 1120, the content for prompting the driving in the minority area is displayed.

  Further, a selection button 1130 is displayed so that the user can select a desired route. In the comment field 1120, a phrase such as “If you travel on a route that passes through area A or area B, points will be awarded” may be displayed.

  In this display screen 1100, for example, if “A section” is selected from the selection buttons 1130, a route to the destination 1102 via the A section 1110 is searched. If “B area” is selected, a route to the destination 1102 via the B area 1111 is searched. Furthermore, if “normal route” is selected, the shortest (or fastest) route to the destination is searched.

(Another example of display screen displayed on display 713)
Next, another example of the display screen displayed on the display 713 of the navigation device 502 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of the display screen displayed on the display 713 of the navigation device 502 according to the present embodiment.

  A display screen 1200 illustrated in FIG. 12 is an example of a screen displayed in steps S1004 and S1005 in FIG. That is, the display screen 1200 is a screen displayed when a destination is set in the navigation device 502, information on a minority area is received, and a plurality of routes are searched.

  The display screen 1200 displays a current location 1201, a destination 1202, an A route that is a normal route, and a B route that is a route that passes through a minority area. The comment field 1210 displays the estimated arrival time and distance compared between the A route and the B route, as well as the content for prompting traveling in a minority area.

  In addition, a selection button 1220 is displayed so that the user can select a desired route. In the comment field 1210, a phrase such as “If you travel on route B, points will be awarded” may be displayed.

  In this display screen 1200, for example, if “Yes” is selected from the selection buttons 1220, guidance for traveling on route B is performed. If “No” is selected, guidance for traveling along route A is provided.

(Example of point information displayed on the display 713)
Next, an example of point information displayed on the display 713 of the navigation device 502 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of point information displayed on the display 713 of the navigation device 502 according to the present embodiment.

  A display screen 1300 illustrated in FIG. 13 is an example of a screen displayed in step S912 in FIG. 9 and step S1014 in FIG. The display screen 1300 displays the points acquired by the current run and the accumulated points. Thus, after the destination is reached, the acquired points are displayed, so that the user can recognize that the user has contributed to the acquisition of the probe information. In addition, the user can receive the service provided by the points, and can reduce the aversion to traveling in a small area.

  As described above, the information management server 501 used in the probe car system 500 according to the present embodiment transmits the extracted minority area information to the navigation device 502 and receives the probe information from the navigation device 502 and receives it. The probe information is stored as the probe information of the extracted minority area. Therefore, it is possible to collect probe information of a small number of areas where the number of vehicles traveling is small, and it is possible to distribute probe information with no bias to the road cover to the navigation device 502.

  Further, the navigation apparatus 502 according to the present embodiment searches for a route to the destination via the minority area received from the information management server 501, guides the route, and manages the probe information of the guided route. It was made to transmit to the server 501. As a result, the information management server 501 can collect probe information of a small number of areas, and the navigation device 502 can receive probe information with no bias in the road cover. Therefore, the user can obtain probe information with no bias in the road cover, and can travel on the optimum route.

  As described above, according to the information management server, navigation device, information management method, navigation method, information management program, navigation program, and recording medium of the present invention, it is possible to obtain probe information with no bias on the road cover. The user can travel on the optimum route.

  Note that the information management method and the navigation method described in this 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 transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

It is a block diagram showing an example of functional composition of an information management server concerning an embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a functional structure of the navigation apparatus concerning embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the information management process sequence of the information management server concerning this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the navigation processing procedure of the navigation apparatus concerning this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the probe car system concerning a present Example. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the information management server concerning a present Example. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the navigation apparatus concerning a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the information management process which the information management server concerning a present Example performs. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the navigation process which the navigation apparatus concerning a present Example performs. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the navigation process which the navigation apparatus concerning a present Example performs. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the display screen displayed on the display of the navigation apparatus concerning a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows another example of the display screen displayed on the display of the navigation apparatus concerning a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the point information displayed on the display of the navigation apparatus concerning a present Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Information management server 101 Storage part 102 Extraction part 103 Transmission part 104 Reception part 105 Storage control part 106 Acquisition part 107 Search part 108 Providing part 200 Navigation apparatus 201 Setting part 202 Reception part 203 Search part 204 Guide part 205 Transmission part 206 Input part 500 Probe car system 501 Information management server 502 Navigation device

Claims (18)

In an information management server that manages traveling information (hereinafter referred to as “probe information”) that can be shared between moving objects,
Storage means for storing the probe information;
Of the probe information stored in the storage means, an extraction means for extracting an area with a small amount of the probe information (hereinafter referred to as “a minority area”);
Transmitting means for transmitting the information of the minority area extracted by the extracting means to the mobile body;
Receiving means for receiving the probe information transmitted from the mobile body in response to transmission of the transmitting means;
Storage control means for storing the probe information received by the receiving means in the storage means as probe information of the minority area extracted by the extracting means;
An information management server comprising: The storage means stores a history of the probe information,
The extraction unit extracts a region and a time zone that are the minority region from the history of the probe information stored in the storage unit,
The information transmission server according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits a region and a time zone that are the minority region extracted by the extraction unit. Acquisition means for acquiring information on a destination set in the mobile body and information on a current position of the mobile body;
Based on the information on the destination acquired by the acquisition means and the information on the current position of the mobile object, a route from the current position to the destination via the minority area extracted by the extraction means is obtained. Search means for searching;
With
The information management server according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits the route searched by the search unit to the mobile body.   The provision means which provides a predetermined service with respect to the said mobile body is further provided when the said reception means receives the said probe information of the said minority area from the said mobile body. Information management server as described in one.   5. The information management server according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined service provided by the providing means is a service corresponding to a travel distance, a travel time, or a travel count when passing through the minority area. .   6. The information management server according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined service provided by the providing means is a service distributed by the number of mobile units that pass through the minority area.   The information management server according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined service provided by the providing unit is a point-based service.   The information management server according to claim 1, wherein the probe information includes at least one of road information, traffic jam information, and weather information. In a navigation device mounted on a moving body,
A setting means for setting a destination;
Reception of receiving information on an area with a small amount of probe information (hereinafter referred to as a “minority area”) from an information management server that manages travel data (hereinafter referred to as “probe information”) that can be shared between the mobile objects. Means,
Search means for searching for a route to the destination via the minority area received by the receiving means;
Guidance means for guiding the route searched by the search means;
Transmitting means for transmitting probe information of the route guided by the guiding means to the information management server;
A navigation device comprising: The receiving means receives information on the time zone of the area to be the minority area from the information management server,
The navigation device according to claim 9, wherein the search unit searches for a route to the destination via the area in a time zone that becomes the minority area. The setting means sets an arrival time at the destination,
The search means searches for a route to the destination via the minority area so as to arrive at the destination at the arrival time set in the setting means. The navigation device according to 10. The search means searches for a route that passes through the minority region and a normal route that does not pass through the minority region, and controls the user to select any one of the searched plurality of routes. Do
The navigation device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the guide means guides the selected route. The search means searches for a route passing through the minority area and the normal route each time the moving body is located in the vicinity of an intersection or a branch point, and a plurality of the searched routes for the user. Control to prompt selection of any one of them,
The navigation apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the guide unit guides a selected route. In the information management method of the information management server for managing traveling information (hereinafter referred to as “probe information”) that can be shared between moving objects,
A storing step for storing the probe information;
Of the probe information stored in the storing step, an extraction step for extracting a region with a small amount of the probe information (hereinafter referred to as “a minority region”);
A transmission step for transmitting the information on the minority area extracted in the extraction step to the mobile body,
Receiving the probe information transmitted from the mobile body in response to transmission of the transmitting step; and
A storage control step of storing the probe information received in the reception step as probe information of the minority area extracted in the extraction step;
An information management method comprising: In a navigation method of a navigation device mounted on a moving body,
A setting process for setting a destination;
Reception of receiving information on an area with a small amount of probe information (hereinafter referred to as a “minority area”) from an information management server that manages travel data (hereinafter referred to as “probe information”) that can be shared between the mobile objects. Process,
A search step for searching for a route to the destination via the minority area received in the reception step;
A guidance process for guiding the route searched in the search process;
A transmission step of transmitting probe information of the route guided in the guidance step to the information management server;
A navigation method comprising:   An information management program for causing a computer to execute the information management method according to claim 14.   A navigation program for causing a computer to execute the navigation method according to claim 15.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 16 or 17 is recorded.

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