JP2009236567A - System and method for road traffic information guidance, server, and terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To notify users of the dissolution of a traffic congestion at the time when the congestion has started to dissolve by monitoring the length of the congestion at a previously registered point of congestion monitoring. <P>SOLUTION: A road traffic information guidance system is provided with: a monitoring point registering means 372 for registering monitoring points for monitoring congestions at a desired road; a congestion length monitoring means 373 for making reference to a road traffic information database 36 at prescribed time intervals and monitoring the lengths of congestions at the monitoring points; a monitoring length registering means 371 for registering the monitored lengths of congestions at the monitoring points; and a notifying means (congestion dissolution notifying means) 33 for notifying road traffic information at the monitoring points. The congestion length monitoring means 373 compares the monitored lengths of congestions registered to the monitoring points with the lengths of congestions at the monitoring points and notifies a terminal device 20 of the dissolution of the congestions in the case that it is detected that the lengths of the congestions have become shorter than the monitored lengths of the congestions. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a road traffic information guidance system that guides road traffic information related to a route from a desired departure place to a destination, and in particular, determines a traffic congestion monitoring point in a route that is usually used frequently. The present invention relates to a road traffic information guidance system in which a traffic congestion monitoring length is set and a user is notified of congestion cancellation when the traffic congestion length at the monitoring point becomes shorter than the traffic congestion monitoring length.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a navigation device and a navigation system that guide a user by searching for a route from a desired departure place to a destination using map data and road data are known. As such a navigation device and navigation system, a car navigation device that is installed in an automobile and guides a route to a driver, a mobile phone is used as a navigation terminal, a route search request is sent to a route search server, and the result is received Communication-type navigation systems that receive route guidance are put into practical use.

  In particular, the communication-type navigation system is a system that uses a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone as a navigation terminal, and is also used as a navigation system for pedestrians. As a navigation system for pedestrians, it is preferable to add a route guidance function including transportation, and in addition to searching and guidance for walking routes, the route search server accumulates routes and operation time data of transportation, There is also a navigation system having a function of guiding a route from a desired departure station to a desired destination station (boarding candidate train) in addition to searching for a walking route and guidance. There is also a traffic guidance system that receives and displays information such as routes, timetables of transportation facilities, and trains that can be boarded from an information distribution server without searching for walking routes.

  A general navigation device, a route search device and a route search method used in a communication navigation system are disclosed in, for example, the following Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-165681). This navigation system is configured to send information on a departure point and a destination from a portable navigation terminal to an information distribution server, and the information distribution server searches and guides a route that matches a search condition from road network and traffic network data. Has been. As the search condition, there are means for moving from the departure place to the destination, for example, walking, automobile, combined use of railroad and walking, and the route is searched as one of the search conditions.

  The information distribution server has roads (routes) of map data as nodes and nodes as the positions of inflection points, links connecting the nodes as links, and cost information (distance and required time) of all links as a database. ing. Then, the information distribution server sequentially searches for a link from the departure node to the destination node with reference to the database, and traces the node and link with the smallest cost information of the link as a guide route. The shortest route can be guided to the portable navigation terminal. As such a route search method, a method called label determination method or Dijkstra method is used. Patent Document 1 also discloses a route search method using this Dijkstra method.

  Of the routes from the starting point to the destination obtained by the route search, the route with the minimum accumulated cost (distance or time) of the route is determined as the optimum guide route, and guide route data is created. The guide route data includes map data and guidance data in addition to the data of the optimum route, and the guide route data is read from the guide data storage unit as necessary and displayed on the display unit. In general, a guide route and a mark indicating the current position of the navigation device are superimposed on a map of a certain scale and range including the current position of the navigation device measured using the GPS receiver of the navigation device. The current position mark is displayed at the center of the display screen.

  In a general navigation system, a route that can arrive at a desired destination at a desired time can be searched and guided. In this case, the route search server is configured to search for a plurality of recommended routes that can arrive at the destination at a predetermined time, display a list of those routes, and allow the user to select a desired route.

  When an automobile is used as a moving means, the required time for a route depends on road traffic conditions such as traffic congestion and traffic restrictions. In this case, it is preferable that the route search system can provide the route guidance to the user by performing route search in consideration of the road traffic situation. Such a route search system is disclosed as an invention of an information processing apparatus and an information providing system in, for example, Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-94785) and Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-344074). .

  In the invention of the information processing device disclosed in Patent Document 2, the server device of the navigation system selects current traffic jam information by link related to the receivable area from the current traffic jam information received by the traffic information receiving unit, and the CPU Select the traffic congestion prediction information for each link after a predetermined number of hours in the unreceivable adjacent area from the traffic congestion prediction information database, and the CPU can do this based on the selected current traffic congestion information for each link and the traffic congestion prediction information for each link. The distribution information having the current area information and the impossible adjacent area prediction information is organized and distributed to the receivable area using the broadcast wave HP.

  Further, the invention of the information providing system disclosed in Patent Document 3 includes a map information accumulating means for accumulating map information in a center that provides an information providing service, and each road section generated from traffic information of a VICS (registered trademark) center. This information generation means is provided with a traffic information storage means for storing traffic jam information and an information generation means for predicting traffic congestion between points for calculating required travel time using the traffic information stored in the traffic information storage means. Is configured to provide information generated by taking into account traffic jam prediction from the center. With this information provision system, it is possible to provide highly accurate destination arrival time and optimal route information that incorporates traffic jam prediction to the in-vehicle device, and select the facility location and facility stay time when stopping by the facility You will be able to provide useful information to do.

  Further, in the following Patent Document 4 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-304556), it is possible to arrive at a destination at a desired arrival time in consideration of the state of road traffic when going to the destination by an automobile. An invention of a preparation start time notification device that searches for a route, automatically sets an appropriate preparation start time according to the destination, and notifies that the preparation start time is reached is disclosed.

JP 2001-165681 A JP 2007-94785 A JP 2003-344074 A JP 2000-304556 A

  When requesting route guidance to a desired destination from a certain point as a departure point, if you want to be notified of an appropriate departure time, using the technique disclosed in Patent Document 4 above, If you depart at the departure time, you can arrive at the destination by the desired arrival time. However, when the road is congested, it may happen that the passenger gets caught in a long traffic jam and arrives at the destination. This situation is where many users experience.

  In general, if you depart the departure time and drive in a time zone where road congestion has been resolved, the arrival time at the destination will naturally be delayed, but the overall fatigue level of the driver and passengers will be reduced. it can. This is also empirically known, and many users take such actions in the light of experience.

  For example, suppose that the weekend escapes from the metropolitan area, stays in a local villa or hometown, and returns to a home in the metropolitan area on a Sunday night. In such a case, each highway going up from Sunday evening to night is very congested. Repeating this regularly is a great stress for the driver, but if you drive a little later, it may be unexpectedly vacant and you can get home smoothly. The degree of congestion varies depending on the day, and even on the same Sunday, there is a difference in the degree of congestion, and the congestion may be resolved at a relatively early time.

  When such a return method is to be performed, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 4 first sets a desired arrival time, which is not suitable for the purpose. Also, even if the departure time is changed and the techniques of Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 are applied, it is difficult to understand because it is only expected. In addition, it is difficult for mobile phones used as terminal devices of the navigation system to keep an eye on traffic jam information, resulting in a problem of battery consumption of the mobile phone.

  As a result of various studies to solve the above problems, the inventor of the present application has determined a traffic monitoring point in a route that is normally used, sets a traffic monitoring length at the traffic monitoring point, If the congestion length becomes shorter than the congestion monitoring length, the present invention has been completed by conceiving that the above problems can be solved by notifying the user of the cancellation of the congestion.

  That is, the present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems, and monitors the length of a traffic jam at a traffic jam monitoring point registered in advance, and can notify the user of the elimination of the traffic jam when the traffic jam is resolved. The object is to provide an information guidance system.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application is
In a road traffic information guidance system comprising a server having a road traffic information database for storing road traffic information acquired at predetermined time intervals corresponding to roads,
The road traffic information guidance system includes a terminal device that designates a monitoring point on a desired road and registers a notification request for road traffic information at the monitoring point with the server,
The road traffic information guidance system includes a monitoring point registration means for registering a monitoring point for monitoring a traffic jam on a desired road;
A traffic jam length monitoring means for monitoring the traffic jam length at the monitoring point with reference to the road traffic information database at the predetermined time interval;
Monitoring length registration means for registering the congestion monitoring length at the monitoring point;
Informing means for informing road traffic information at the monitoring point,
The traffic jam length monitoring means compares the traffic jam monitoring length registered for the monitoring point with the traffic jam length at the monitoring point, and when detecting that the traffic jam length is less than the traffic jam monitoring length, It is characterized by notifying the terminal device of traffic jam elimination.

  The invention according to claim 2 of the present application is the road traffic information guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the congestion length monitoring means includes a congestion monitoring length registered for the monitoring point, and a congestion length at the monitoring point. When the traffic jam length exceeds the traffic jam monitoring length, the terminal device is notified of the occurrence of the traffic jam.

  The invention according to claim 3 of the present application is the road traffic information guidance system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the e-mail address registered by the terminal device is used as the transmission destination for the notification of the congestion elimination or the occurrence of the congestion. It is characterized by being performed by e-mail.

  The invention according to claim 4 of the present application is the road traffic information guidance system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the congestion monitoring length is determined based on the departure point designated by the terminal device and the monitoring point. Is registered.

The invention according to claim 5 of the present application is the road traffic information guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the server refers to the route search network database storing the route search network data and the route search network data. Route search means for searching for a route between two points,
In response to a notification request for road traffic information registered from an unspecified number of terminal devices, the route search based on the time when the congestion cancellation notification is made based on the monitoring result of the congestion length monitoring means at the monitoring point By applying the road traffic information stored in the road traffic information database to the network data for the vehicle, a route is searched from the departure point of the terminal device designating the monitoring point to the monitoring point, and the arrival of the monitoring point based on the required time The monitoring point and the congestion monitoring length when no congestion is sometimes encountered are disclosed as reference information for requests from the unspecified number of terminal devices.

The invention according to claim 6 of the present application is
A server constituting a road traffic information guidance system, which has a road traffic information database for storing road traffic information acquired at predetermined time intervals corresponding to roads,
The road traffic information guidance system includes a terminal device that designates a monitoring point on a desired road and registers a notification request for road traffic information at the monitoring point with the server,
The server includes monitoring point registration means for registering a monitoring point for monitoring a traffic jam on a desired road;
A traffic jam length monitoring means for monitoring the traffic jam length at the monitoring point with reference to the road traffic information database at the predetermined time interval;
Monitoring length registration means for registering the congestion monitoring length at the monitoring point;
Informing means for informing road traffic information at the monitoring point,
The traffic jam length monitoring means compares the traffic jam monitoring length registered for the monitoring point with the traffic jam length at the monitoring point, and when detecting that the traffic jam length is less than the traffic jam monitoring length, It is characterized by notifying the terminal device of traffic jam elimination.

  The invention according to claim 7 of the present application is the server according to claim 6, wherein the congestion length monitoring means compares the congestion monitoring length registered for the monitoring point with the congestion length at the monitoring point, When it is detected that the traffic jam length exceeds the traffic jam monitoring length, the terminal device is notified of the occurrence of the traffic jam.

  In the invention according to claim 8 of the present application, in the server according to claim 6 or claim 7, the congestion cancellation or the notification of the occurrence of the congestion is performed by an e-mail whose destination is an e-mail address registered by the terminal device. It is characterized by that.

  The invention according to claim 9 of the present application is the server according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the congestion monitoring length is registered by the server based on a departure place designated by the terminal device and the monitoring point. It is characterized by.

The invention according to claim 10 of the present application is the server according to claim 6, wherein the server refers to the route search network database storing the route search network data and the route search network data between two points. Route search means for searching for a route of
In response to a notification request for road traffic information registered from an unspecified number of terminal devices, the route search based on the time when the congestion cancellation notification is made based on the monitoring result of the congestion length monitoring means at the monitoring point By applying the road traffic information stored in the road traffic information database to the network data for the vehicle, a route is searched from the departure point of the terminal device designating the monitoring point to the monitoring point, and the arrival of the monitoring point based on the required time The monitoring point and the congestion monitoring length when no congestion is sometimes encountered are disclosed as reference information for requests from the unspecified number of terminal devices.

The invention according to claim 11 of the present application is
A terminal device that constitutes a road traffic information guidance system and registers a road traffic information notification request in a server having a road traffic information database that stores road traffic information acquired at predetermined time intervals corresponding to roads In
The server includes monitoring point registration means for registering a monitoring point for monitoring a traffic jam on a desired road;
A traffic jam length monitoring means for monitoring the traffic jam length at the monitoring point with reference to the road traffic information database at the predetermined time interval;
Monitoring length registration means for registering the congestion monitoring length at the monitoring point;
Informing means for informing road traffic information at the monitoring point,
The traffic jam length monitoring means compares the traffic jam monitoring length registered for the monitoring point with the traffic jam length at the monitoring point, and when detecting that the traffic jam length is less than the traffic jam monitoring length, A server for notifying a terminal device of traffic congestion cancellation,
The terminal device includes operation input means for setting a road traffic information notification request including a monitoring point for monitoring traffic congestion on a desired road and registering the request in the server.

The invention according to claim 12 of the present application is the terminal device according to claim 11, wherein the server refers to the route search network database storing the route search network data and the route search network data at two points. A route search means for searching for a route between,
In response to a notification request for road traffic information registered from an unspecified number of terminal devices, the route search based on the time when the congestion cancellation notification is made based on the monitoring result of the congestion length monitoring means at the monitoring point By applying the road traffic information stored in the road traffic information database to the network data for the vehicle, a route is searched from the departure point of the terminal device designating the monitoring point to the monitoring point, and the arrival of the monitoring point based on the required time A server that publishes a request for the unspecified number of terminal devices as a reference information of a monitoring point and a congestion monitoring length when no traffic jam is sometimes encountered,
The terminal device includes an operation input unit that requests acquisition of the reference information related to a monitoring point set by the terminal device.

The invention according to claim 13 of the present application is
In the road traffic information guidance method in the road traffic information guidance system provided with a server having a road traffic information database that accumulates road traffic information acquired at predetermined time intervals corresponding to the road,
The road traffic information guidance system includes a terminal device that designates a monitoring point on a desired road and registers a notification request for road traffic information at the monitoring point with the server,
The road traffic information guidance system includes a monitoring point registration means for registering a monitoring point for monitoring a traffic jam on a desired road;
A traffic jam length monitoring means for monitoring the traffic jam length at the monitoring point with reference to the road traffic information database at the predetermined time interval;
Monitoring length registration means for registering the congestion monitoring length at the monitoring point;
Informing means for informing road traffic information at the monitoring point,
When the congestion length monitoring means detects that the congestion monitoring length registered for the monitoring point is compared with the congestion length at the monitoring point, and that the congestion length is less than the congestion monitoring length. And a notifying step for notifying the terminal device of the elimination of the traffic jam.

  The invention according to claim 14 of the present application is the road traffic information guidance method according to claim 13, wherein the congestion length monitoring means registers the congestion monitoring length registered for the monitoring point, and the congestion length at the monitoring point. In the step of comparing, in the case where it is detected that the congestion length exceeds the congestion monitoring length, a notification step of notifying the terminal device of occurrence of the congestion is provided.

  The invention according to claim 15 of the present application is the road traffic information guidance method according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the step of notifying the congestion or the occurrence of the congestion is an e-mail address registered by the terminal device as a transmission destination. And a process performed by the e-mail.

  The invention according to claim 16 of the present application is the road traffic information guidance method according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the congestion monitoring length is determined based on the departure point designated by the terminal device and the monitoring point. Is registered.

The invention according to claim 17 of the present application is the road traffic information guidance method according to claim 13, wherein the server refers to the route search network database storing the route search network data and the route search network data. Route search means for searching for a route between two points,
In response to a notification request for road traffic information registered from an unspecified number of terminal devices, the route search based on the time when the congestion cancellation notification is made based on the monitoring result of the congestion length monitoring means at the monitoring point Applying the road traffic information stored in the road traffic information database to the network data for the network and searching for a route from the departure point of the terminal device designating the monitoring point to the monitoring point, and monitoring based on the required time And a step of disclosing to the request of the unspecified number of terminal devices as reference information a monitoring point and a traffic congestion monitoring length when no traffic jam is encountered when the point is reached.

In the invention according to claim 1, the road traffic information guidance system refers to a monitoring point registration means for registering a monitoring point for monitoring a traffic jam on a desired road, and a road traffic information database at the predetermined time interval. A congestion length monitoring means for monitoring the congestion length at the monitoring point; a monitoring length registration means for registering the congestion monitoring length at the monitoring point; and a notification means for notifying road traffic information at the monitoring point;
The traffic jam length monitoring means compares the traffic jam monitoring length registered for the monitoring point with the traffic jam length at the monitoring point, and detects that the traffic jam length is less than the traffic jam monitoring length, Informs the device of traffic congestion elimination.

  According to such a configuration, a user who has been notified of the cancellation of the traffic jam from the server can reach the monitoring point of the traffic jam set at the timing at which the traffic jam has been substantially eliminated by leaving the departure place after receiving the notification. Thus, it becomes possible to pass through the monitoring point at a time when the congestion is expected to be resolved. Therefore, the user can move to the destination without encountering a traffic jam at a so-called traffic jam spot.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the road traffic information guidance system according to the first aspect, the traffic congestion length monitoring means includes a traffic congestion monitoring length registered for the monitoring point, and a traffic congestion length at the monitoring point. When the traffic jam length exceeds the traffic jam monitoring length, the terminal device is notified of the traffic jam occurrence.

  According to such a configuration, since the user who set the monitoring point can know the occurrence of the traffic jam at the monitoring point, whether the traffic jam started earlier than usual if there was traveling experience of the route or use experience of this system, You can get a feeling of slowness. In general, when traffic congestion up to the metropolitan area begins early, traffic congestion is often severe, so it is possible to consider the timing of departure from the departure place.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the road traffic information guidance system according to the first or second aspect, the e-mail address registered by the terminal device is used as the transmission destination for the notification of congestion elimination or the occurrence of traffic congestion. By email.

  According to such a configuration, the user who sets the monitoring point only needs to pay attention to the notification of the incoming e-mail, and the desired information can be obtained without leaving the server and the terminal device connected. Be able to get.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the road traffic information guidance system according to the first or second aspect, the traffic congestion monitoring length is determined based on the departure point designated by the terminal device and the monitoring point. Register.

  According to such a configuration, a user who requests guidance for road traffic information only needs to set a monitoring point and a departure point, and the server sets a traffic congestion monitoring length from the departure point and the monitoring point. A user who uses the service can easily set desired conditions.

Further, in the invention according to claim 5, in the road traffic information guidance system according to claim 1, the server refers to the route search network database storing the route search network data and the route search network data. Route search means for searching for a route between two points,
In response to a notification request for road traffic information registered from an unspecified number of terminal devices, the route search based on the time when the congestion cancellation notification is made based on the monitoring result of the congestion length monitoring means at the monitoring point By applying the road traffic information stored in the road traffic information database to the network data for the vehicle, a route is searched from the departure point of the terminal device designating the monitoring point to the monitoring point, and the arrival of the monitoring point based on the required time Sometimes, the monitoring points and the congestion monitoring length when no congestion is encountered are disclosed as reference information for requests of the unspecified number of terminal devices.

  According to such a configuration, the server sets the traffic congestion length when it reaches the monitoring point after other users set and receive the notification of the congestion cancellation, so that the user can start his own departure. Based on the location, it becomes possible to set the monitoring point and the congestion monitoring length with reference to the information published from the server, so that it can be a convenient system for the user who wants to receive the service of the present invention for the first time. become.

  In the inventions according to claims 6 to 10, it is possible to provide a server constituting the road traffic information guidance system according to claims 1 to 5, respectively. In the invention according to the twelfth aspect, it is possible to provide a terminal device constituting the road traffic information guidance system according to the first and fifth aspects, respectively. In the inventions according to claims 13 to 17, the road traffic information guidance method in the road traffic information guidance system according to claims 1 to 5, respectively, can be provided.

  Hereinafter, specific examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples and drawings. However, the embodiment shown below exemplifies a road traffic information guidance system for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and is intended to specify the present invention as this road traffic information guidance system. Instead, the present invention is equally applicable to the road traffic information guidance system of other embodiments included in the scope of claims.

  The road traffic information guidance system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described as being configured by the route search system 10 having a route search function, but it does not have a route search function, and relates to map information POI information and a road corresponding to the route. It may be configured by an information providing system that provides road traffic information and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the route search system 10 is configured such that a terminal device 20 using a portable terminal such as a mobile phone, a PDA, or a music player and a route search server 30 are connected via a network 12 such as the Internet. It has become. In the present embodiment, a communication type route search using a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, a route search system 10 that provides a route guidance service will be described as a specific example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to a route search system using a personal computer as a terminal device.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the route search system 10 includes a terminal device 20 and a route search server 30 connected via a network 12. The route search system 10 further includes a POI information distribution server 50 that provides detailed information such as the location and service contents of POIs belonging to various categories, and a road traffic information distribution server 51 that provides road traffic information such as the degree of congestion on each road. And so on.

  The route search server 30 can acquire necessary data from the POI information distribution server 50 or the road traffic information distribution server 51 via the network 12 and add it to its own database. Similarly, a search request can be transmitted to the POI information distribution server 50 to obtain a desired search result.

  The road traffic information distribution server 51 detects the traffic volume of the road at regular time intervals by a monitoring terminal installed on the road, and creates road traffic information indicating the degree of congestion for each road. Therefore, the road traffic information is updated at regular intervals. In the case of VICS (registered trademark), it is updated to the latest road traffic information every 5 minutes. The road traffic information is broadcast through FM broadcasting, and when the latest data is requested when accessed from the route search server 30, the latest road traffic information is distributed.

  The route search server 30 shown in FIG. 1 includes a map database 34, a route search network database 35, and a road traffic information database 36. When there is a route search request from the terminal device 20, the route search server 30 refers to the route search network database 35. Route search. And it has the general navigation function which transmits the guidance route (recommended route) obtained from the result of route search to the terminal device 20. Further, when there is a request for obtaining map data by designating a desired point or POI from the terminal device 20, the corresponding map data is read with reference to the map database 34 and distributed to the terminal device 20.

  The route search network database 35 stores road network data. Road network data expresses roads as intersections and nodes as nodes, and links that connect each node. Each link is associated with the required time when traveling at a standard speed as the cost of the link. ing. Therefore, the route searched using this road network data is a route of standard cost. Hereinafter, such a normal route search is referred to as a standard cost search, the searched route is referred to as a standard cost route, and the cost of the route is referred to as a standard cost.

The route search server 30 accesses the road traffic information distribution server 51 to obtain the latest road traffic information and updates the data in the road traffic information database 36 at the timing when the road traffic information is updated.
When performing a route search taking into account road traffic information such as traffic jams, the route search server 30 uses the network data accumulated in the route search network database 35 based on the latest road traffic information stored in the road traffic information database 36. The route search is performed by editing the link cost by the network data editing means. This makes it possible to perform a route search that reflects the required time due to traffic jams and the like. Hereinafter, such a route search is referred to as a congestion-considered route search.

  The road traffic information database 36 statistically processes past road traffic information, and accumulates the degree of congestion of each road link, the time required for congestion, etc., according to conditions such as month, day, holiday, time zone, and weather. Statistical road traffic data, latest traffic congestion data for each road link, latest road traffic data that accumulates required time, etc. are accumulated. When a desired route search date / time is specified to perform a route search with a traffic jam allowable time set, the route search server 30 determines the date / time corresponding to the date / time condition specified as the route search condition from the statistical road traffic data. Statistical road traffic data is acquired, the road network data in the route search network database 35 is edited, and the route search is performed. Hereinafter, the route searched in this way is referred to as a traffic jam prediction route, and the required time is referred to as a traffic jam prediction route cost.

  In addition to a mode in which a normal route search request (route search using a standard link cost stored in the route search network database 35) is performed, the terminal device 20 may have the latest It has a mode for making a route search request as described above that takes into account traffic jams based on road traffic information. In addition, it has a predicted traffic jam route search mode in which the desired date and time is specified and the route search is performed in consideration of the traffic jam condition. In this case, the statistical date and time corresponding to the date and time condition designated as the route search condition is provided. The road search is performed by acquiring the road traffic data and editing the road network data in the route search network database 35.

  In the present invention, the user of the terminal device 20 can register a prominent traffic jam location on a desired route, for example, a route from the homecoming destination to the home, as a traffic jam monitoring point and make a request to monitor the traffic jam. . The route search server 30 monitors the traffic jam length at the traffic jam monitoring point registered for each terminal device 20 (user), and when the traffic jam length at the traffic jam monitoring point becomes shorter than the traffic jam monitoring length, the traffic jam is resolved. The user is informed as having

  If the user receives a notification that the traffic jam has been resolved and departs from the departure place and can reach the traffic congestion monitoring point at the timing when the traffic jam is almost eliminated, the user can return to the destination home without increasing the time required for the traffic jam. Can arrive. For this reason, the reference length (traffic congestion monitoring length) for traffic congestion monitoring is set to an appropriate value determined by the distance between the departure place and the traffic congestion monitoring point. The notification of the traffic jam monitoring result is performed by e-mail. Hereinafter, registration of a traffic jam monitoring request is referred to as traffic jam elimination mail registration. In addition, when the traffic jam length becomes longer than the traffic jam monitoring length, it is possible to receive notification of the occurrence of traffic jam.

  Hereinafter, a route search system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on specific examples, but before that, a detailed configuration of the route search system 10 according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the route search system 10 shown in FIG.

  The terminal device 20 is a terminal capable of receiving a navigation service, and includes a control unit 201, a communication unit 21, a GPS reception unit 22, a processing request unit 23, a distribution data storage unit 24, a display unit 25, an operation input unit 26, and the like. It is prepared for. In the operation input means 26, a monitoring point for monitoring traffic congestion is registered in the route search server 30, the length of the traffic congestion at the monitoring point is monitored, and a traffic congestion monitoring request registration means 261 that requests notification when the traffic congestion is resolved. included. Specifically, the traffic congestion monitoring request registration unit 261 includes character input keys, cursor keys for selecting setting items on a menu screen displayed on the display screen, and the like.

  As described with reference to FIG. 1, the route search server 30 stores the map database 34 that stores map data, the route search network database 35 that stores road network data for route search, and road traffic information including traffic jam information. A road traffic information database 36 is provided. When the route search server 30 has a function of searching for a route using walking or public transportation and guiding it to the terminal device 20, the route searching network database 35 further includes network data dedicated to walking, operation time of transportation. Accumulate traffic network data based on tabular data.

  In addition, the route search server 30 includes a control unit 301, a communication unit 31, a distribution data editing unit 32, a congestion elimination notification unit 33, a map database 34, a route search network database 35, a road traffic information database 36, and a network data editing unit 37. , A traffic congestion monitoring length registration unit 371, a monitoring point registration unit 372, a traffic congestion length monitoring unit 373, a processing request storage unit 38, a route search unit 39, and the like.

  When there is a request for route search, POI search, or map distribution from the terminal device 20, the route search server 30 temporarily stores the request in the processing request storage unit 38. If the request is a route search request, the route search means 39 searches the route search network database 35 for an optimum route or a recommended route (guide route). The searched guide route data is edited into distribution data for the terminal device 20 by the distribution data editing means 32 and distributed to the terminal device 20. Further, map data including the guide route is read from the map database 34 and distributed to the terminal device 20.

  Next, the concept of a route using the route search network database 35 will be described. For example, road network data used for route search by car or on foot is configured as follows. When the road is composed of roads A, B, and C as shown in FIG. 3, the end points, intersections, and inflection points of the roads A, B, and C are used as nodes, and the roads connecting the nodes are represented by directional links. , Node data (node latitude / longitude), link data (link number), and link cost data with link cost (link distance or time required to travel the link) of each link as data. The

  That is, in FIG. 3, Nn (◯ mark) and Nm (◎ mark) indicate nodes, and Nm (◎ mark) indicates a road intersection. Directional links connecting the nodes are indicated by arrow lines (solid line, dotted line, two-dot chain line). As for the links, there are links facing in the upward and downward directions of the road, but in FIG. 3, only the links in the direction of the arrows are shown for the sake of simplicity.

  When route search is performed using such road network data as a route search database, links linked from the starting node to the destination node are traced to accumulate the link cost, thereby minimizing the accumulated link cost. Search and guide the route. That is, in FIG. 3, when a route search is performed with the departure point as the node AX and the destination as the node CY, the road travels from the node AX to the road A, turns right at the second intersection, enters the road C, and reaches the node CY. The link cost is accumulated sequentially. Then, a route that minimizes the cumulative link cost is searched for and guided.

  Although other routes from the node AX to the node CY are not shown in FIG. 3, there are actually other such routes, so that a plurality of routes that can be reached from the node AX to the node CY are displayed. A search is performed in the same manner, and a route with the lowest link cost is determined as the optimum route. This method is performed by, for example, a known method called the Dijkstra method.

  Road network data when searching for walking routes includes data for pedestrian-only roads and passages (passages in parks, etc.) and prohibits entry of automobile-only roads such as pedestrians and bicycles. Highway data is excluded. In addition, when searching for a route by car, data such as the above-mentioned pedestrian road is excluded. In the case of a search including a route by transportation, route data of transportation is used. In a transportation network, each station is a node, and stations are connected by links. Links in the network of transportation facilities are created for each means of transportation such as trains and buses, and the required time determined by the operation timetable becomes the link cost of each link.

  When performing a traffic jam consideration route search or a traffic jam prediction route search, each link cost of the road network stored in the route search network database 35 by the network data editing means 37 is used as the road link stored in the road traffic information database 36. The route search means 39 searches for the route from the departure point to the destination after performing the editing for correction at the cost.

  The user of the terminal device 20 can register a traffic congestion monitoring request in the route search server 30 in advance for a desired route (road). For example, when staying at a homecoming destination on a weekend and returning to a home in the Tokyo metropolitan area on a Sunday night, usually a traffic congestion monitoring point is registered for the route from the homecoming home to the home. Since a well-known congestion point on the route is known empirically, the congestion point is registered as a monitoring point.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen when registering a traffic jam monitoring request. FIG. 4A shows an initial menu screen, and FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C set traffic jam monitoring points. It is a figure which shows an example of the selection screen which changes in the case. When the user of the terminal device 20 registers a traffic jam monitoring request in the route search server 30, the menu screen of FIG. 4A is displayed on the display unit 25 and the traffic jam monitoring request registration unit 261 of the operation input unit 26 is used. To select or input a predetermined condition.

  (1) First, a point for monitoring traffic congestion is set. Search by free word or select road name → point name from the area. When the area name displayed on the menu screen of FIG. 4A, for example, Kanto, is selected, the screen changes to the screen of FIG. 4B and the road name of the Kanto area is displayed. If, for example, the Chuo Expressway is selected from the displayed road names, a transition is made to the screen of FIG. 4C, and prominent traffic congestion points (monitor point candidates) on the Chuo Expressway are displayed in a list.

  This monitoring point includes famous points regarding traffic jam information such as each interchange (IC), service area, parking area, tunnel, bridge, and intersection name. In addition, the monitoring point is not a pin point, but is widened so that, for example, an intermediate point to an adjacent monitoring point is used as a range. By doing so, the traffic jam length monitoring unit 373 (see FIG. 2) has traffic jam information in any of the road links in the range, and can grasp the length of the traffic jam as the traffic jam length.

  For example, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a traffic jam length when “small Buddha tunnel” is a monitoring point. As shown in FIG. 5, even if it is called “small Buddha tunnel”, there is no traffic jam in the tunnel, and there are many traffic jams in front of it, and the traffic jam is formed with the entrance of the tunnel as the head.

Next, (2) the user selects another route in the upward or downward direction of the selected road.
(3) Enter the congestion length to be monitored. The value input here is used as a threshold value to determine the timing for eliminating the traffic jam. How to determine the value will be described later.
(4) The usage date is set to the date for monitoring and notification. You can set the date for just one day, or set it daily or weekly.
(5) Set whether to notify when a traffic jam occurs (during growth). For example, it is also good information to know the tendency of the traffic jam of the day to notify when it grows to the traffic jam length set in (3). In the first place, it is also a guide to know if there is a long traffic jam.

  Furthermore, (6) notification of traffic congestion or notification of occurrence of traffic congestion is notified by electronic mail, so a notification destination mail address is input. Generally, this is the mail address of the terminal device 20. If e-mail is used as the notification method, the user who sets the monitoring point only needs to pay attention to the incoming e-mail notification, and can keep the server and the terminal device connected, without having to connect them. Information can be obtained.

  (7) A departure place is set. Setting of the departure place is arbitrary, but if the departure place is input, the route search server 30 can recognize how many kilometers the congestion length is set by the person who is going to leave. Since a precise point is not necessary, it may be the GPS obtained indoors or the position of the base station.

In the menu screen of FIG. 4 (a), the selection item “View other people's settings” is a selection for jumping to a page where the congestion length of people who set the same departure point and the same monitoring point can be referred to It is an item. The case where this item is selected will be described later.
After such a setting, a traffic congestion monitoring request is transmitted from the terminal device 20 to the route search server 30, and the route search server 30 that has received the traffic congestion monitoring request starts to monitor traffic congestion.

  Each setting information set using the menu screen by the traffic congestion monitoring request registration unit 261 (see FIG. 2) is transmitted to the route search server 30, and the monitoring point information is used by the monitoring point registration unit 372 (see FIG. 2). The traffic congestion monitoring length is stored in the traffic congestion monitoring length registration unit 371 in the same manner.

  For example, since the route search server 30 acquires the latest road traffic information (congestion information) every 5 minutes, for each acquisition, the congestion length monitoring is performed for registration of the congestion monitoring request from all users. Means 373 performs traffic congestion monitoring. In monitoring, the route search server 30 checks whether the usage dates are the same, and the congestion length monitoring unit 373 monitors whether the congestion length at the monitoring point has crossed the congestion monitoring length, and performs the following processing. Do. Here, whether or not the vehicle has crossed means whether the traffic jam length has exceeded the traffic congestion monitoring length, or whether the traffic jam length has become less than the traffic congestion monitoring length.

The congestion length in the road traffic information is represented by a road link. For example, it is assumed that the congestion monitoring length is set to a length indicated by a certain link start point 41 to a certain link end point 42 as shown in FIG. Thus, the traffic jam is not represented by a point but by a section having a certain distance. Therefore, the monitoring point is not a point represented by a point, but there is a length of a link where congestion is represented, and that link is set as a monitoring point, and the monitoring point is placed on a link where the congestion is likely to remain (The user designates a desired spot name as a monitoring point, and the route search server 30 registers the monitoring point as described above based on the spot name). In the case of the small Buddha tunnel, for example, a point per 1 km before the entrance of the small Buddha tunnel is a monitoring point.
The traffic jam length monitoring means 373 monitors the traffic jam length at the monitoring point at intervals of 5 minutes, monitors whether the actual traffic jam length has crossed both ends of the traffic jam monitoring length, and uses the traffic jam monitoring length at the corresponding monitoring point as a reference. Then, it is determined whether the congestion length is in the growth direction or the elimination direction.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 5, when the actual traffic jam length (solid line distance: length) exceeds the traffic jam monitoring length (dashed line distance: length), it can be determined that the traffic jam is in the growth direction. Conversely, if the actual traffic jam length (solid line distance: length) is less than the traffic jam monitoring length (dashed line distance: length), it can be determined that the traffic jam is in the direction of elimination.

  FIG. 6 is a traffic jam length graph showing how the traffic jam length grows and disappears at the monitoring point shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the vertical axis indicates the traffic jam length, and the horizontal axis indicates time. Here, an example is shown in which the congestion monitoring length at the monitoring point “small Buddha tunnel” is set to 16 km. From FIG. 6, it can be seen that the congestion state at this monitoring point is that the congestion length exceeds the congestion monitoring length at time 16:15, and then the congestion length is less than the congestion monitoring length at time 21:30. The traffic jam length monitoring means 373 thus discriminates when the traffic jam length at the traffic jam monitoring point is in the growth direction compared to the traffic jam monitoring length and when it is in the cancellation direction.

Based on the monitoring result of the traffic jam length monitoring unit 373, the traffic jam resolution notifying unit 33
(B) If the traffic jam length exceeds the traffic jam monitoring length, the traffic jam will continue to grow, so if the traffic jam start notification setting is “ON”, a traffic jam start notification email will be sent to the set email address. To do.
(B) If the traffic jam length is less than the traffic jam monitoring length, the traffic jam is in the direction of elimination, so an email for notifying the traffic jam is transmitted to the set email address.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a notification screen that is notified to the user when the traffic congestion length at the monitoring point is in the growth direction as compared with the traffic congestion monitoring length, as described in (a) above. As shown in FIG. 7, when the growth of traffic congestion reaches the traffic congestion monitoring length, it is transmitted including the time (in 5 minute increments). In this example, it can be seen that the traffic jam length has reached 16 km at time 16:15 (see FIG. 6). Therefore, if the user has travel experience on the route or experience using this system, the traffic congestion is faster than usual. You can get a feel for whether it's started or slow. In general, when the up traffic to the metropolitan area starts early, the traffic is also severe. In addition, when the traffic starts slowly or does not reach the set traffic jam length, the traffic jam is slight.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a notification screen that is notified to the user when the congestion length at the monitoring point is in the direction of elimination as compared with the congestion monitoring length as described above (b). The graph shown in FIG. 6 is an example on Sunday when a relatively long traffic jam has occurred. In this case, it is determined that the traffic jam length is less than the traffic jam monitoring length at 21:30. Is sent. For example, if the user who has received this message is a user who departs from the Okaya area, he / she will pass through the “Small Buddha Tunnel” set as a monitoring point when he / she departs from Okaya after receiving a traffic jam elimination mail of 21:30. Because the time is around 23:30, the traffic jam has been resolved and the move is successful as planned.

  As a result, if traffic congestion still occurs, the traffic congestion monitoring length is set short, so that the traffic congestion monitoring length may be set a little longer for the next use. Also, if there is no sign of traffic jams, it is better to try again by setting the traffic congestion monitoring length shorter. This setting is performed for each user because the tendency of the traveling speed differs for each user. Even at the same starting point and the same monitoring point, if the speed to reach them is different, the optimum setting value differs for each user.

  Next, an operation procedure of the route search system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting a traffic jam monitoring request in the terminal device, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for traffic jam length monitoring and traffic jam resolution notification in the route search server.

  When the user of the terminal device 20 makes a traffic jam monitoring request to the route search server 30, the user displays the menu screen shown in FIG. 4 on the display means 25 in the terminal device 20, and monitors the traffic jam in the process of step S101. Set the point to perform. The monitoring point is set by searching for a free word or by selecting road name → point name from the area. A list of road names in the area is displayed from the area name displayed on the menu screen, a desired road is selected from the displayed road names, and a list of prominent traffic congestion points (monitoring point candidates) on the road is displayed. This can be done by selecting a monitoring point (see FIG. 4).

  Next, the user proceeds to the process of step S102, selects a route of the selected road in the up direction and the down direction, and sets the congestion monitoring length in the process of step S103. In this case, the user can set by inputting a numerical value, but as described above, the route search server 30 can also be set by using the input of the departure place described later.

  Next, the user sets a use date in the process of step S104. The usage date is set to the date for monitoring and notification. You can set the date for just one day, or set it daily or weekly. Then, the process proceeds to step S105, and it is set whether or not notification is to be made even when a traffic jam occurs (during growth). Furthermore, in the process of step S106, the mail address of the terminal device 20 that is the notification destination of the traffic jam resolution mail is set. This e-mail address may be an e-mail address of a mobile phone different from the terminal device 20 that has set the traffic monitoring request.

  Next, the user determines whether or not to set the departure place. If the departure place is set, the departure place is input in step S107, and the process proceeds to the traffic congestion monitoring request transmission process in step S108. When the departure place is not input, the process jumps to the process of step S108, transmits a traffic congestion monitoring request including the information set in the processes of steps S101 to S106 to the route search server 30, and ends the process. It waits for the reception of notification mails such as traffic jam elimination mails from 30.

  The route search server 30 that has received the traffic monitoring request from the terminal device 20 stores the monitoring point for each user in the monitoring point registration unit 372, and also stores the traffic monitoring length at the monitoring point in the traffic monitoring length storage unit 371. The length monitoring unit 373 starts the congestion length monitoring process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10 for each monitoring point.

  In the process of step S201, the traffic jam length monitoring unit 373 acquires the traffic jam length and time information at the monitoring point from the road traffic information database 36. In step S202, it is determined whether or not the traffic jam length exceeds the traffic jam monitoring length. If the determination result is “YES”, the process proceeds to step S203 to determine whether there is a congestion occurrence notification setting. If there is no congestion occurrence notification setting, the process proceeds to step S205 to set the congestion occurrence notification. For example, the process proceeds to step S204, a mail notifying the occurrence of traffic jam is sent to the set mail address, and the process proceeds to step S205.

  In the process of step S205, it is determined whether or not the traffic jam length is less than the traffic jam monitoring length. If the determination result is “NO”, that is, if the traffic jam length is not less than the traffic jam monitoring length, the processing returns to step S201, and the traffic jam length monitoring means 373 acquires information on the traffic jam length and time at the monitoring point at predetermined time intervals. Repeat the process.

  If the result of the determination process in step S205 is “YES”, that is, it is determined that the congestion length is less than the congestion monitoring length, the process proceeds to step S206, and the congestion cancellation notifying unit 33 resolves the congestion to the set mail address. The process is terminated by sending an e-mail notifying the user. This process is performed for each monitoring point set by the traffic congestion monitoring request.

  In this way, the present invention provides a notification that the traffic congestion at the monitoring point is in the direction of elimination based on the standard time required to travel from the departure location where the user intends to depart to the monitoring point that is the famous spot of the traffic jam. Since it is possible to arrive at the destination without encountering the traffic jam if the traffic at the monitoring point has been resolved before the user arrives at the monitoring point after receiving the notification. Thus, the time required for eliminating the traffic jam at the monitoring point within the standard required time from the departure point to the monitoring point is set as the traffic jam monitoring length.

  Therefore, the setting of the traffic congestion monitoring length may be calculated based on the road traffic information obtained by the route search server 30 statistically processing the past traffic congestion status based on the setting of the departure place and the monitoring point. Also, the user may determine and set from past experiences. If the route search server 30 is configured to set the congestion monitoring length, the user only needs to set the monitoring point and the departure point, and the user who uses this service for the first time can easily set the desired conditions. Will be able to.

  Further, after the route search server 30 is set by another user and receives notification of the congestion cancellation, the route search server 30 discloses the situation of the traffic jam length when the monitoring point is reached, and the user If a monitoring point and a congestion monitoring length can be set with reference to information published from the server based on the departure place, the system becomes convenient for a user who wants to receive the service of the present invention for the first time.

  In order to respond to such a request, the route search server 30 responds to a notification request for road traffic information registered from an unspecified number of terminal devices 20 based on the monitoring result of the congestion length monitoring means 373 at the monitoring point. Applying the road traffic information stored in the road traffic information database to the route search network data on the basis of the time when the notification of the cancellation of the congestion is made as a reference, the route from the departure point of the terminal device 20 that designates the monitoring point to the monitoring point Based on the required time, the monitoring point and the congestion monitoring length when no congestion is encountered when reaching the monitoring point are disclosed as reference information to the request of the terminal device 20.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reply screen for the traffic congestion monitoring process information disclosed by the route search server. This answer screen can be referred to by selecting the item “View others' settings” on the menu screen of FIG. Based on the monitoring point and departure point set by the terminal device 20, the route search server selects related processing information to be referred to and displays it on the answer screen. However, since it is doubtful that the setting is valid only by looking at the data set by other users, the setting value is sorted and released after the route search server 30 verifies it.

  For example, the route search server 30 has entered a departure place in response to a traffic jam elimination mail transmitted two days after each usage day (because it may travel across days if it is not the next day) The route search from the departure point to the monitoring point is performed using the actual traffic jam information (link cost). The departure time is, for example, 10 minutes after mail transmission. In this way, the route search is performed, and the route is divided into a group that encounters a traffic jam near the monitoring point and a group that does not have the traffic jam.

  The group that was not affected by the traffic jam may have a short traffic jam length setting, but the long traffic jam length is considered to be the limit value for achieving the purpose. In addition, the group that encounters the traffic jam (the effect remained) represents that the traffic jam was not resolved unfortunately, and among them, the short traffic jam length is considered to represent the worst value.

Therefore, as a guideline for setting the congestion monitoring length,
(A) If it is set longer than the long setting example in which there is no influence of the traffic jam, the departure will be too early and the traffic jam will be encountered.
(B) If the setting is shorter than the short setting where the influence of traffic jams remains, traffic jams are rarely encountered, but departure tends to be delayed.
In view of the above, it can be said that the middle of the above (a) and (b) is a general setting of the congestion monitoring length.

  Also, the setting value varies depending on the type of individual driving, and people who drive slowly and take a lot of breaks tend to have a fast movement speed by referring to the longer congestion monitoring length as shown in (a) above. For a person, setting a short traffic congestion monitoring length as in (b) above would be a guide.

  In the examples shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, it is understood that no traffic jam was encountered when the traffic congestion monitoring length was set to 16 km, and that a traffic jam is likely to be encountered at a setting of 19 km or more. The user will be able to consider this policy. Such considerations should be fully explained in the service usage manual.

  Although it may be verified with the actual user's movement history, there are various types of users, such as taking a long break on the way, changing the speed, changing the plan and not passing the traffic congestion monitoring point, etc. It may be meaningless to investigate whether or not you have encountered a traffic jam. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the influence degree of the traffic jam when the route search is made later with the actual traffic information data, starting from the time when the traffic jam resolution e-mail is transmitted (with a departure preparation time of about 10 minutes) is adopted. Verifying. The search result may be stored, and detailed data may be displayed when each date in FIG. 11 is clicked.

  Further, the distance set most by the combination of the departure point and the monitoring point may be displayed as a setting example of the traffic congestion monitoring length as shown in the bottom line of the display example of FIG.

  If the traffic at the monitoring point has not started, or you have to start before the peak has been reached yet, it is not possible to predict the time to clear the traffic, so enter the departure location. At this point, the route search server 30 may be configured to display an error.

  As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the congestion length is monitored based on the congestion monitoring point and the congestion monitoring length registered in advance, and when the congestion is resolved, the user is notified of the cancellation of the congestion. Will be able to. If the user who has received the notification departs according to the notification, the user can pass through the monitoring point at a time when the traffic congestion is expected to be resolved.

  The method of use of the present invention is not limited to the case where the starting point is the starting point. For example, people who have been in the habit of waiting for the congestion to clear while eating and taking a break before the traffic jam set the service area as the departure place and said that they would spend time slowly until the email to clear the traffic jam You can also use it. Or, even when waiting for resolution in a traffic jam section, if you set the monitoring area as the monitoring point and set the traffic congestion monitoring length to 1 km etc., you will be notified immediately by email when the traffic jam is resolved it can. It is convenient because the main line may not be visible from the service area.

  Further, if the vehicle is traveled using the present invention so as not to encounter traffic jams, the fuel efficiency is improved, so that the fuel efficiency can be improved and the CO2 emission can be reduced.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing a route search system constituting a road traffic information guidance system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the route search system of FIG. 1 concerning the Example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the concept of the data of a road network. It is a figure which shows an example of the menu screen at the time of registering a traffic congestion monitoring request | requirement, FIG.4 (a) is an initial menu screen, FIG.4 (b), FIG.4 (c) changes when setting a traffic congestion monitoring point. It is a figure which shows an example of a selection screen. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the relationship between the monitoring point of traffic jam, and traffic jam length. 6 is a traffic jam length graph showing how the traffic jam length grows and disappears at the monitoring point shown in FIG. 5. It is a figure which shows an example of the alerting | reporting screen alert | reported to a user when the traffic congestion length in a monitoring point becomes a growth direction compared with the traffic congestion monitoring length. It is a figure which shows an example of the alerting | reporting screen alert | reported to a user when the traffic congestion length in a monitoring point becomes a cancellation direction compared with the traffic congestion monitoring length. It is a flowchart which shows the setting procedure of the congestion monitoring request | requirement in a terminal device. It is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for congestion length monitoring and congestion elimination notification in a route search server. It is a figure which shows an example of the menu screen at the time of referring the information of the traffic congestion monitoring request | requirement of the unspecified many users disclosed by the route search server in a terminal device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Route search system 12 ... Network 20 ... Terminal device 201 ... Control means 21 ... Communication means 22 ... GPS reception means 23 ... Processing request means 24 .... Delivery data storage means 25 ... Display means 26 ... Operation input means 261 ... Congestion monitoring request registration means 30 ... Route search server 301 ... Control means 31 ... ··· Communication means 32 ··· Distribution data editing means 33 ··· Congestion elimination notification means 34 ··· Map database 35 ··· Route search network database 36 · · · Road traffic information database 37 · · · ... Network data editing means 371 ... Congestion monitoring length registration means 372 ... Monitoring point registration means 373 ... Congestion length monitoring means 38 ... Processing request storage means 39 ... Route search means

Claims (17)

In a road traffic information guidance system comprising a server having a road traffic information database for storing road traffic information acquired at predetermined time intervals corresponding to roads,
The road traffic information guidance system includes a terminal device that designates a monitoring point on a desired road and registers a notification request for road traffic information at the monitoring point with the server,
The road traffic information guidance system includes a monitoring point registration means for registering a monitoring point for monitoring a traffic jam on a desired road;
A traffic jam length monitoring means for monitoring the traffic jam length at the monitoring point with reference to the road traffic information database at the predetermined time interval;
Monitoring length registration means for registering the congestion monitoring length at the monitoring point;
Informing means for informing road traffic information at the monitoring point,
The traffic jam length monitoring means compares the traffic jam monitoring length registered for the monitoring point with the traffic jam length at the monitoring point, and when detecting that the traffic jam length is less than the traffic jam monitoring length, A road traffic information guidance system characterized in that a terminal device is notified of the elimination of traffic congestion.   The traffic jam length monitoring means compares the traffic jam monitoring length registered for the monitoring point with the traffic jam length at the monitoring point, and detects that the traffic jam length exceeds the traffic jam monitoring length. The road traffic information guidance system according to claim 1, wherein a traffic jam is notified to the apparatus.   3. The road traffic information guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the notification of the occurrence of traffic congestion or the notification of occurrence of traffic congestion is performed by an e-mail having an e-mail address registered by the terminal device as a transmission destination.   The road traffic information guidance system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the traffic congestion monitoring length is registered by the server based on a departure place designated by the terminal device and the monitoring point. The server includes a route search network database storing route search network data, and route search means for searching for a route between two points with reference to the route search network data.
In response to a notification request for road traffic information registered from an unspecified number of terminal devices, the route search based on the time when the congestion cancellation notification is made based on the monitoring result of the congestion length monitoring means at the monitoring point By applying the road traffic information stored in the road traffic information database to the network data for the vehicle, a route is searched from the departure point of the terminal device designating the monitoring point to the monitoring point, and the arrival of the monitoring point based on the required time The road traffic information guidance system according to claim 1, wherein a monitoring point and a traffic congestion monitoring length when no traffic jam is occasionally encountered are disclosed as reference information in response to requests of the unspecified number of terminal devices. A server constituting a road traffic information guidance system, which has a road traffic information database for storing road traffic information acquired at predetermined time intervals corresponding to roads,
The road traffic information guidance system includes a terminal device that designates a monitoring point on a desired road and registers a notification request for road traffic information at the monitoring point with the server,
The server includes monitoring point registration means for registering a monitoring point for monitoring a traffic jam on a desired road;
A traffic jam length monitoring means for monitoring the traffic jam length at the monitoring point with reference to the road traffic information database at the predetermined time interval;
Monitoring length registration means for registering the congestion monitoring length at the monitoring point;
Informing means for informing road traffic information at the monitoring point,
The traffic jam length monitoring means compares the traffic jam monitoring length registered for the monitoring point with the traffic jam length at the monitoring point, and when detecting that the traffic jam length is less than the traffic jam monitoring length, A server characterized by notifying a terminal device of the elimination of traffic congestion.   The traffic jam length monitoring means compares the traffic jam monitoring length registered for the monitoring point with the traffic jam length at the monitoring point, and detects that the traffic jam length exceeds the traffic jam monitoring length. The server according to claim 6, wherein the server is notified of occurrence of traffic jam.   The server according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the notification of congestion cancellation or notification of occurrence of traffic congestion is performed by an electronic mail whose destination is an electronic mail address registered by the terminal device.   The server according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the traffic congestion monitoring length is registered by the server based on a departure place designated by the terminal device and the monitoring point. The server includes a route search network database storing route search network data, and route search means for searching for a route between two points with reference to the route search network data.
In response to a notification request for road traffic information registered from an unspecified number of terminal devices, the route search based on the time when the congestion cancellation notification is made based on the monitoring result of the congestion length monitoring means at the monitoring point By applying the road traffic information stored in the road traffic information database to the network data for the vehicle, a route is searched from the departure point of the terminal device designating the monitoring point to the monitoring point, and the arrival of the monitoring point based on the required time 7. The server according to claim 6, wherein a monitoring point and a traffic congestion monitoring length when no traffic jam is occasionally encountered are disclosed as reference information in response to requests of the unspecified number of terminal devices. A terminal device that constitutes a road traffic information guidance system and registers a road traffic information notification request in a server having a road traffic information database that stores road traffic information acquired at predetermined time intervals corresponding to roads In
The server includes monitoring point registration means for registering a monitoring point for monitoring a traffic jam on a desired road;
A traffic jam length monitoring means for monitoring the traffic jam length at the monitoring point with reference to the road traffic information database at the predetermined time interval;
Monitoring length registration means for registering the congestion monitoring length at the monitoring point;
Informing means for informing road traffic information at the monitoring point,
The traffic jam length monitoring means compares the traffic jam monitoring length registered for the monitoring point with the traffic jam length at the monitoring point, and when detecting that the traffic jam length is less than the traffic jam monitoring length, A server for notifying a terminal device of traffic congestion cancellation,
The terminal device comprises operation input means for setting a road traffic information notification request including a monitoring point for monitoring traffic congestion on a desired road and registering it in the server. The server includes a route search network database storing route search network data, and route search means for searching for a route between two points with reference to the route search network data.
In response to a notification request for road traffic information registered from an unspecified number of terminal devices, the route search based on the time when the congestion cancellation notification is made based on the monitoring result of the congestion length monitoring means at the monitoring point By applying the road traffic information stored in the road traffic information database to the network data for the vehicle, a route is searched from the departure point of the terminal device designating the monitoring point to the monitoring point, and the arrival of the monitoring point based on the required time A server that publishes a request for the unspecified number of terminal devices as a reference information of a monitoring point and a congestion monitoring length when no traffic jam is sometimes encountered,
The terminal device according to claim 11, further comprising an operation input unit that requests acquisition of the reference information related to a monitoring point set by the terminal device. In the road traffic information guidance method in the road traffic information guidance system provided with a server having a road traffic information database that accumulates road traffic information acquired at predetermined time intervals corresponding to the road,
The road traffic information guidance system includes a terminal device that designates a monitoring point on a desired road and registers a notification request for road traffic information at the monitoring point with the server,
The road traffic information guidance system includes a monitoring point registration means for registering a monitoring point for monitoring a traffic jam on a desired road;
A traffic jam length monitoring means for monitoring the traffic jam length at the monitoring point with reference to the road traffic information database at the predetermined time interval;
Monitoring length registration means for registering the congestion monitoring length at the monitoring point;
Informing means for informing road traffic information at the monitoring point,
When the congestion length monitoring means detects that the congestion monitoring length registered for the monitoring point is compared with the congestion length at the monitoring point, and that the congestion length is less than the congestion monitoring length. And a notifying step for notifying the terminal device of the elimination of traffic congestion.   When the congestion length monitoring means detects that the congestion length exceeds the congestion monitoring length in the step of comparing the congestion monitoring length registered for the monitoring point with the congestion length at the monitoring point, The road traffic information guidance method according to claim 13, further comprising a notification step of notifying the terminal device of occurrence of traffic congestion.   15. The road traffic information according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the step of notifying congestion or notifying of occurrence of traffic includes processing performed by an e-mail having a destination as an e-mail address registered by the terminal device. Guidance method.   The road traffic information guidance method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the traffic congestion monitoring length is registered by the server based on a departure place designated by the terminal device and the monitoring point. The server includes a route search network database storing route search network data, and route search means for searching for a route between two points with reference to the route search network data.
In response to a notification request for road traffic information registered from an unspecified number of terminal devices, the route search based on the time when the congestion cancellation notification is made based on the monitoring result of the congestion length monitoring means at the monitoring point Applying the road traffic information stored in the road traffic information database to the network data for the network and searching for a route from the departure point of the terminal device designating the monitoring point to the monitoring point, and monitoring based on the required time 14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of disclosing a monitoring point and a traffic congestion monitoring length when no traffic congestion is encountered when reaching a point as reference information in response to requests of the unspecified number of terminal devices. Road traffic information guidance method.

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