JP2014070912A - Map information distribution system, method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique that enables prioritized distribution of map information on a new road that is highly probable to be used in a travel planned by a user.SOLUTION: A map information distribution system accepts from a vehicle subscribing for distribution service a request for distribution of map information on a new road and information on the destination of the subscribing vehicle, identifies, on the basis of travel history information on a probe vehicle having run the new road, the new road that is highly probable to serve as the route for the subscribing vehicle to travel to the destination of the subscribing vehicle, and distributes to the subscribing vehicle map information on the new road that is highly probable to serve as the route for the subscribing vehicle to travel to the destination of the subscribing vehicle.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for distributing map information.

  Since map information used by a navigation device or the like changes with time due to construction of a new road or the like, conventionally, various techniques for distributing updated map information are known. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique in which update of map data for an update target road related to a vehicle route is prioritized over update of map data for another update target road. Specifically, a configuration is disclosed in which priority is given to update of map data for a road connected to a recommended route of a vehicle and a road included in a deviation range expected for the recommended route.

JP 2011-163951 A

In the conventional technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is determined whether or not to preferentially update based on the position of the road. However, there is a possibility that a new road is used by the user only with the position of the road. It is difficult to evaluate whether it is high or not. For example, when a user moves a long distance along a planned travel route, even if a new road is connected to a main road included in the planned travel route, the possibility that the new road is used is low. On the other hand, if another main road that can travel in the same direction as the planned travel route is newly established even if it is slightly away from the planned travel route, the possibility that the other main road will be used increases.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technology capable of preferentially distributing map information of a new road that is highly likely to be used in traveling planned by the user. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, a map information distribution system according to the present invention receives a request for distribution of map information on a new road and information on a destination of the distribution target vehicle from a distribution target vehicle, and transmits a probe vehicle traveling on the new road. Based on the travel history information, a new road that is likely to be a route when the distribution target vehicle travels to the destination of the distribution target vehicle is specified, and map information of the new road is distributed to the distribution target vehicle. To do.

  That is, if it is considered that the distribution target vehicle uses a new road with the same tendency as the trend of the travel history when a new road is used by the probe vehicle, based on the travel history information of the probe vehicle that traveled on the new road, It is possible to determine whether or not the distribution target vehicle is likely to be a route when traveling to the destination of the distribution target vehicle. Therefore, if the distribution target vehicle distributes map information of a new road that is likely to be a route when traveling to the destination of the distribution target vehicle, the distribution target vehicle can be used for traveling planned by the user. It is possible to preferentially distribute map information of new roads with high characteristics. In particular, even when there is a limit on the distribution capacity of map information distributed as a response to a distribution request, map information with high utility value is distributed because map information on new roads that are likely to be used is distributed. Will be.

  Here, the distribution request receiving means only needs to be able to receive a distribution request for map information of a new road and information regarding the destination of the distribution target vehicle from the distribution target vehicle. In other words, the distribution target vehicle uses a recording medium that records map information, and requests a road that is not recorded as information on the recording medium as a new road and distributes the map information of the new road. Therefore, here, a distribution request is made so that a road that has been distributed to the distribution target vehicle or a road that has not been distributed to the distribution target vehicle is specified. Further, the information related to the destination of the delivery target vehicle may be transmitted from the delivery target vehicle in order to identify a road that is likely to be a route when traveling to the destination of the delivery target vehicle. Or other information related to the route when traveling to the destination, for example, the starting point of the distribution target vehicle, the current location, or the planned traveling distance when the distribution target vehicle travels to the destination (estimated traveling schedule It may be configured to transmit a distance).

  The road identification means may identify a new road that is likely to be a route when the distribution target vehicle travels to the destination of the distribution target vehicle based on the travel history information of the probe vehicle that has traveled on the new road. I can do it. That is, since the travel history information of the probe vehicle that has traveled on the new road is travel history information when actually traveling on the new road, if the travel history information is analyzed, the travel when the probe vehicle travels on the new road A feature when a new road is used can be specified from the history. Therefore, if the characteristics when the new road is used and the characteristics when the distribution target vehicle travels to the destination are compared, the more similar they are, the more the new road It can be considered that there is a high possibility of becoming a route when traveling to the destination of the delivery target vehicle.

  The travel history information of the probe vehicle may be information that can identify the characteristics when a new road is used, and various histories such as travel distance, vehicle speed, acceleration, and position by the probe vehicle may be used as the travel history. Is possible. Of course, the characteristics when a new road is used are preferably specified statistically, and it is preferable that travel history information by a predetermined number or more of probe vehicles is analyzed.

  The map information distribution means only needs to be able to distribute map information of a new road that is likely to be a route when the distribution target vehicle travels to the destination of the distribution target vehicle to the distribution target vehicle. That is, as a response to a distribution request from a distribution target vehicle, map information of a new road that is likely to be a route when traveling to the destination of the distribution target vehicle is distributed via various communications. If you can.

  As a configuration example when analyzing the characteristics when a new road is used based on the travel history information of the probe vehicle, the travel distance from the travel start point of the probe vehicle to the travel end point is calculated on the new road traveled by the probe vehicle. A configuration may be adopted in which the associated information is travel history information of the probe vehicle. In this configuration, the planned travel distance when the distribution target vehicle travels to the destination of the distribution target vehicle is acquired. Further, based on the travel history information, frequency information indicating the frequency with which the new road has been used for the probe vehicle is acquired for each travel distance from the travel start point to the travel end point of the probe vehicle. That is, frequency information indicating the usage frequency of new roads for each travel distance is defined.

  With reference to the frequency information, it is possible to identify a new road that is used frequently when the probe vehicle travels an arbitrary travel distance. Therefore, if a new road that is used relatively frequently when the probe vehicle travels a distance equivalent to the planned travel distance of the distribution target vehicle is identified, the distribution target vehicle is the distribution target vehicle. It can be regarded as a new road that is likely to be a route when traveling to the destination. According to this configuration, it is possible to statistically identify a new road that is likely to be a route when the distribution target vehicle travels to the destination based on the travel distance of the probe vehicle.

  That is, if the traveling histories of many vehicles are analyzed, the road used when a long-distance movement is made and the road used when a short-distance movement is made tend to be different. Therefore, a new road that is frequently used when the probe vehicle has traveled a travel distance equivalent to the planned travel distance of the distribution target vehicle can be regarded as highly likely to be used by the distribution target vehicle. According to this configuration, it is possible to classify new roads to be distributed according to the manner in which roads are used.

  Further, the frequency information is preferably generated as a result of performing statistical processing based on the travel history information of the probe vehicle. As an example of this configuration, a configuration is adopted in which the traveling distance is classified into a plurality of predetermined distance ranges, and the frequency distribution indicating the frequency at which the new road is used for the probe vehicle is specified as frequency information for each classification. May be. In this case, the distribution target vehicle travels to the destination of the distribution target vehicle as the new road is associated with the most frequent distance range for the new road and the distance range close to the planned travel distance is associated with the new road. Adopt a configuration that is considered to be likely to be a route when According to this configuration, it is possible to determine the level of possibility that each new road becomes a route when traveling to the destination of the distribution target vehicle based on the planned travel distance. Accordingly, a new road to be distributed can be easily determined.

  Further, the travel history information may be configured by information defining a distance from a travel start point that is a departure point of the probe vehicle to a travel end point that is a destination of the probe vehicle as a travel distance. That is, the travel from the departure point to the destination is regarded as a single travel, and the travel distance in the single travel is evaluated. In this configuration, even if you stop at a transit point such as a store in the process of traveling to the destination, the distance traveled from the departure point to the waypoint or the distance traveled from the waypoint to the destination is analyzed as the travel distance. Instead, the distance traveled from the departure point to the destination is analyzed as the travel distance. Therefore, it is possible to accurately evaluate the travel distance that affects the selection of the road by excluding the influence of the accidental stop at the waypoint.

  Furthermore, the configuration may be such that not all new roads are targeted for distribution, but new roads to be distributed are selected from some new roads. For example, there is a high possibility that the distribution target vehicle travels from a new road existing within a predetermined area including the departure point of the distribution target vehicle and the destination of the distribution target vehicle to the destination of the distribution target vehicle. It is good also as composition which specifies a new road. That is, there is a very high possibility that the predetermined area including the departure point and the destination of the delivery target vehicle includes a road that is a route from the departure point to the destination. Therefore, if a new road that is likely to be a route when the delivery target vehicle travels to the destination of the delivery target vehicle is identified from the new road in the predetermined area, the new road that is extremely unlikely to be used. Can be excluded from the distribution target.

  The predetermined area may be one area including the starting point and the destination of the distribution target vehicle, and the shape of the predetermined area may be any shape. For example, it may be an area within a predetermined range from a line segment connecting the starting point and the destination, or may be configured by a predetermined section (mesh) including the starting point and the line connecting the destination, the starting point, and the destination. May be an area. Of course, the size of the predetermined area may vary depending on the distance between the departure place and the destination. For example, a configuration in which the predetermined range is increased as the distance between the departure point and the destination is increased, or a configuration in which the number of the predetermined sections is increased as the distance between the departure point and the destination is increased. .

  Further, based on the travel history information when the probe vehicle to which the map information of the new road is distributed travels on the new road within a predetermined period after the distribution of the map information, the distribution target vehicle is the purpose of the distribution target vehicle. You may employ | adopt the structure which identifies the new road with high possibility of becoming a path | route at the time of drive | working to the ground. That is, when a long time has passed after a new road is newly established, the map information of the new road has been distributed to most of the distribution target vehicles that require the new road. Therefore, it is not necessary to determine whether or not the new road is a new road that is likely to be a route when the delivery target vehicle travels to the destination of the delivery target vehicle for a long time.

  Therefore, after the map information of the new road is distributed to the probe vehicle, the probe vehicle is ready to define the travel history information for the new road, and then travels on the new road within a predetermined period. In this case, the analysis is performed based on the travel history information. According to this configuration, it is possible to exclude from the analysis target a new road that has been newly constructed and has been for a long time. The predetermined period is a period set in advance as a period for determining that a long period has elapsed after a new road is newly established. Of course, it is only necessary to exclude new roads that have passed for a long time from the analysis target, and the map information distribution system is configured to record the new road construction time, and a certain period has elapsed since the new construction time. In this case, the new road is configured to be excluded from a target for determining whether or not the distribution target vehicle is a new road that is likely to be a route when traveling to the destination of the distribution target vehicle. May be.

  Further, a new road that is likely to be a route when the distribution target vehicle travels from the road that is not included in the map information recorded on the recording medium mounted on the distribution target vehicle to the destination of the distribution target vehicle. It is good also as a structure which specifies. That is, a new road that is likely to be a route when the distribution target vehicle travels to the destination of the distribution target vehicle is specified from a new road that is not distributed to the distribution target vehicle. According to this configuration, candidates for new roads can be limited, and the analysis load can be reduced. A road that is not included in the map information recorded on the recording medium mounted on the distribution target vehicle can be specified by various configurations. For example, the ID information of the distribution target vehicle is associated, and in the map information distribution system, for a new road that has already been distributed to the distribution target vehicle with a certain ID, the ID of the distribution target vehicle is associated with the map information. It is possible to adopt a configuration to attach.

  In addition, when there is a distribution capacity limitation when distributing map information, the distribution target is selected in descending order of the possibility that the distribution target vehicle will travel to the destination of the distribution target vehicle, and within the predetermined distribution capacity limitation It is preferable that the map information of the new road is distributed to the distribution target vehicle so that the maximum distribution capacity can be distributed. According to this configuration, it is possible to distribute map information of a new road that is highly usable even if the distribution is within the distribution capacity limit.

  Furthermore, as in the present invention, based on the travel history information of the probe vehicle, a method for identifying and distributing a new road that is likely to be a route when the distribution target vehicle travels to the destination of the distribution target vehicle Can also be applied as a program or method. In addition, the system, program, and method as described above may be realized as a single device, or may be realized using components shared with each part of the vehicle, and include various aspects. It is a waste. For example, it is possible to provide a navigation device including the above-described device, a travel history management system and method, and a program. Further, some changes may be made as appropriate, such as a part of software and a part of hardware. Furthermore, the invention is also established as a recording medium for a program for controlling the apparatus. Of course, the software recording medium may be a magnetic recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, or any recording medium to be developed in the future.

It is a block diagram of a map information delivery system. It is a figure which shows the example of a new road and frequency information. (3A) is a flowchart of a travel history information transmission process, (3B) is a flowchart of a map information distribution process, and (3C) is a diagram showing an example of a predetermined area.

Here, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
(1) Configuration of map information distribution system:
(2) Travel history information transmission processing:
(3) Map information distribution processing:
(4) Other embodiments:

(1) Configuration of map information distribution system:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a map information distribution system 10 installed in a map information management center. In FIG. 1, the flow of information related to travel history information is indicated by broken arrows and the like, and the flow of information related to map information is indicated by solid arrows and the like. The map information distribution system 10 includes a control unit 20 including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like and a recording medium 30, and the control unit 20 can execute a program recorded in the recording medium 30 and the ROM. Further, the map information distribution system 10 includes a communication unit 22. The communication unit 22 is configured by a circuit for performing wireless communication, and the control unit 20 can control the communication unit 22 to communicate with the probe vehicle Cp and the distribution target vehicle Cd.

  Map information 30 a is recorded on the recording medium 30 of the map information distribution system 10. The map information 30a indicates node data indicating the positions of nodes set on the road, shape interpolation data indicating the positions of shape interpolation points for specifying the shape of the road between the nodes, and the connection between the nodes. Link data, facility data indicating facilities that can be the destination of the planned travel route, and the like are included. In the present embodiment, the map information 30a can be updated. That is, when a new road is constructed, and when the road indicated by the existing map information 30a is different from the actual road, such as when the existing road becomes a new road due to road repair or the like, the new road is The indicated map information (node data, shape interpolation data, link data, etc.) is added to the map information 30a. The new road map information 30a can be associated with a vehicle ID, and when the new road map information 30a has been distributed to a vehicle having a specific ID, the new road map information 30a has been distributed. Corresponding to the map information 30a.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 20 can execute the map information distribution program 21, and the control unit 20 acquires travel history information from the probe vehicle Cp and stores it in the recording medium 30 by the processing of the map information distribution program 21. Recorded as travel history information 30b. Further, the control unit 20 receives a distribution request from the distribution target vehicle Cd by the processing of the map information distribution program 21, determines map information 30a of a new road to be distributed based on the travel history information 30b, and the new road The map information 30a is distributed to the distribution target vehicle Cd.

  In order to realize these functions, the map information distribution program 21 includes a distribution request reception unit 21a, a road identification unit 21b, a map information distribution unit 21c, and a travel history information reception unit 21d. The traveling history information receiving unit 21d is a program module that causes the control unit 20 to realize a function of receiving traveling history information from the probe vehicle Cp and recording it in the recording medium 30. That is, the control unit 20 uses the communication unit 22 to monitor whether or not a travel history information transmission request has been made from the probe vehicle Cp. The travel history information is received by communicating with the probe vehicle Cp, and is recorded in the recording medium 30 as the travel history information 30b.

  In the present embodiment, the travel history information 30b is a history when the probe vehicle Cp travels on a new road, and is information for specifying a new road (for example, node data, link data, road section ID, etc.). Thus, the travel distance (travel distance from the travel start point to the travel end point) of the probe vehicle Cp when traveling using the new road is associated with the information. Note that a navigation system (not shown) is used in the probe vehicle Cp, and traveling history information is recorded by the navigation system and held in a recording medium (not shown). The transmission request for the travel history information can be made at an arbitrary timing. For example, the travel request can be made when the travel from the travel start point to the travel end point is completed in the probe vehicle Cp. is there.

  The distribution target vehicle Cd is a vehicle in which a navigation system (not shown) is used in the vehicle, and the navigation system uses map information recorded on a recording medium (not shown) included in the navigation system to drive the distribution target vehicle Cd. The planned travel route is guided to the person. The navigation system has a map information update function, and makes a distribution request for distributing map information of a new road to the map information distribution system 10 at a predetermined timing (for example, at the start of traveling). It is configured. In other words, the navigation system used in the distribution target vehicle Cd uses a road that is not recorded as information on a recording medium used in the navigation system as a new road at a predetermined timing, and distributes map information of the new road. To request.

  The distribution request receiving unit 21a is a program module that causes the control unit 20 to realize a function of receiving a distribution request for map information of a new road from the distribution target vehicle Cd and information regarding the destination of the distribution target vehicle. That is, the control unit 20 monitors whether or not a distribution request for map information of a new road has been made from the distribution target vehicle Cd using the communication unit 22. In the present embodiment, a distribution request is made so that a road that has been distributed to the distribution target vehicle Cd or a road that has not been distributed to the distribution target vehicle Cd is specified. For this reason, the navigation system of the distribution target vehicle Cd is configured to transmit information for specifying a new road together with the distribution request. In the present embodiment, the departure point of the distribution target vehicle Cd (the current location may be used). ) And the destination information and the ID of the distribution target vehicle Cd are transmitted together with the distribution request. Therefore, when receiving the distribution request, the control unit 20 receives information indicating the starting point and the destination of the distribution target vehicle Cd accompanying the distribution request.

  Based on the travel history information 30b of the probe vehicle Cp that traveled on the new road, the road specifying unit 21b selects a new road that is likely to be a route when the distribution target vehicle Cd travels to the destination of the distribution target vehicle Cd. It is a program module that causes the control unit 20 to implement a specified function. That is, since the travel history information 30b of the probe vehicle Cp that has traveled on the new road is the travel history information 30b when actually traveling on the new road, if the control unit 20 analyzes the travel history information 30b, the probe vehicle Cp It is possible to specify the characteristics when the new road is used from the travel history when traveling on the new road. Therefore, if the characteristics when the new road is used and the characteristics when the distribution target vehicle Cd travels to the destination are compared, the more similar the two are, the more the new road becomes the distribution target vehicle Cd. Is likely to be a route when traveling to the destination of the distribution target vehicle Cd.

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, the control unit 20 travels from the departure point and destination of the distribution target vehicle Cd acquired along with the distribution request to the destination of the distribution target vehicle Cd. Get the planned travel distance. Further, the control unit 20 acquires frequency information indicating, for each travel distance from the travel start point of the probe vehicle to the travel end point, the frequency at which the new road was used by the probe vehicle based on the travel history information 30b. Information 30c is recorded on the recording medium 30.

  The frequency information 30c is information indicating the use frequency of a new road for each travel distance, and is generated as a result of performing statistical processing based on the travel history information 30b of the probe vehicle Cp. That is, in the present embodiment, the travel distance is classified into a plurality of predetermined distance ranges, and the control unit 20 generates a frequency distribution indicating the frequency with which the new road is used for the probe vehicle Cp for each classification. Let it be frequency information 30c. As the classification based on the distance range, various types can be adopted as the range, the number of classifications, and the like. For example, the distance range is more than 100 km, 50-100 km, 25-50 km, 10-25 km, 5-10 km, 5 km or less When classifying into the individual classifications, the control unit 20 refers to the travel distance for each new road indicated by the travel history information 30b, and determines which distance range the travel distance belongs to. And when a certain new road belongs to a certain distance range, the control part 20 implements the process which increases the frequency of the said distance range by 1 about all the travel history information 30b.

As a result, a frequency distribution for each new road is generated, and the frequency distribution for each new road is recorded in the recording medium 30 as frequency information 30c. In FIG. 2, the example of the frequency distribution about some roads is shown. That is, in FIG. 2, the road is indicated by a solid line, a broken line, and a dashed-dotted curve, and the frequency information 30 c when the road R ₁ indicated by the dashed-dotted line is a new road is illustrated as a graph 1 and is indicated by a broken line The frequency information 30c when the roads R ₂ and R ₃ are new roads is illustrated as graphs 2 and 3, and the frequency information 30c when the road R ₄ indicated by the solid line is a new road is illustrated as graph 4. Yes. In FIG. 2, the road type is represented by the line type of the curve. The solid line curve indicates the expressway, the alternate long and short dash line curve indicates the national road, and the dashed curve indicates the city road. A to F shown in graphs 1 to 4 indicate distance ranges, A is more than 100 km, B is 50 to 100 km, C is 25 to 50 km, D is 10 to 25 km, E is 5 to 10 km, and F is The distance range of 5 km or less is shown.

  The generation of the frequency information 30c as described above may be executed at an arbitrary timing, may be executed periodically, or may be executed in response to a distribution request being made. With reference to the frequency information 30c as described above, it is possible to identify a new road that is used frequently when the probe vehicle Cp has traveled an arbitrary travel distance. Therefore, if a new road that is relatively frequently used when the probe vehicle Cp has traveled a distance equivalent to the planned travel distance of the distribution target vehicle Cd is identified, the distribution target vehicle distributes the new road. It can be regarded as a new road that is likely to be a route when traveling to the destination of the target vehicle.

In order to specifically estimate the possibility that the distribution target vehicle will be a route when traveling to the destination of the distribution target vehicle, the control unit 20 refers to the frequency information 30c and the frequency of the new road is determined. Associate the most distance ranges. That is, the control unit 20 associates the most frequent distance range with the map information 30a indicating the new road included in the map information 30a. For example, if the road R ₁ shown in FIG. 2 is a new road, associating information indicating a distance range C (25~50km) relative to the map information 30a indicating the new road R _1. As a result of the above processing, any of the distance ranges is associated with the map information 30a of the new road.

Therefore, the control unit 20 calculates the planned travel distance from the start point and the destination of the distribution target vehicle Cd, and the distribution target vehicle Cd distributes the new road that is associated with the distance range close to the planned travel distance. It is considered that there is a high possibility that the route becomes a route when traveling to the destination of the target vehicle Cd. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2, when the roads R _{1 to} R ₄ are new roads, the new road R ₁ has a distance range C (25 to 50 km), and the new road R ₂ has a distance range B (50 to 50). 100 km), the new road R ₃ is associated with a distance range B (50 to 100 km), and the new road R ₄ is associated with a distance range A (more than 100 km). In this example, when the planned travel distance of the distribution target vehicle Cd is 40 km, the planned travel distance belongs to the distance range C. Therefore, the distribution target vehicle Cd is assigned to the new road R _{1 associated} with the distance range C. The possibility of becoming a route when traveling to the destination of the distribution target vehicle Cd is considered to be the highest.

Further, the new roads R ₂ and R _{3 associated with} the distance range B are less likely to be routes when the delivery target vehicle Cd travels to the destination of the delivery target vehicle Cd than the new road R _1. The new road R ₄ that is regarded and associated with the distance range A is less likely to be a route when the distribution target vehicle Cd travels to the destination of the distribution target vehicle Cd than the new roads R ₂ and R _3. Is considered. According to this configuration, it is possible to determine whether or not each new road becomes a route when traveling to the destination of the distribution target vehicle Cd based on the planned travel distance of the distribution target vehicle Cd. Accordingly, a new road to be distributed can be easily determined. The planned travel distance of the distribution target vehicle Cd may be specified by calculating the distance of the route searched as the route from the departure point of the distribution target vehicle Cd to the destination based on the map information 30a. It may be specified by an approximate distance (for example, a linear distance between the starting point and the destination), and various configurations can be employed.

In FIG. 2, since the new road R ₁ which is a national road is a relatively large road, the frequency of use in the distance range C having a relatively long distance is the highest as shown in the graph 1. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the new road R ₂ that is a city road has the highest usage frequency in the distance range B as shown in the graph 2. Therefore, the new road R ₂ that is a city road is used more frequently for traveling over a longer distance than the new road R ₁ that is a national road. Such a situation may occur due to various factors. In the example shown in FIG. 2, a large commercial facility POI exists along the road of the new road R ₂ , and a vehicle is used from a distance to use the large commercial facility POI. When there are many people who visit the store, as shown in FIG. 2, a situation may occur in which the new road R ₂ is used more frequently for a longer distance than the new road R ₁ .

Further, since the new road R ₄ is an expressway, the frequency of use in the long distance range A is the highest. In the example shown in FIG. 2, since the new road R ₃ is an attachment road to the new road R ₄ , the frequency of use over long distances such as the distance ranges A and B is increasing despite being a city road. . As described above, the actual road use situation cannot be simply inferred depending on the road type, for example, the national road is more frequently used in a long distance than the city road. However, in the present embodiment, since the travel history information 30b of the probe vehicle Cp is analyzed, the actual use situation of a new road can be analyzed. Therefore, it is possible to accurately estimate the possibility that each new road becomes a route when traveling to the destination of the distribution target vehicle Cd.

  The map information distribution unit 21c has a function of distributing, to the distribution target vehicle Cd, map information of a new road that is likely to be a route when the distribution target vehicle Cd travels to the destination of the distribution target vehicle Cd. 20 is a program module to be realized by the program 20. That is, as a response to the distribution request from the distribution target vehicle Cd, the control unit 20 provides the communication unit 22 with map information of a new road that is likely to be a route when traveling to the destination of the distribution target vehicle Cd. Is delivered to the delivery target vehicle Cd.

  In the present embodiment, a distribution capacity restriction is imposed on the distribution capacity in one distribution. Therefore, the control unit 20 selects a distribution target in descending order of the possibility that the distribution target vehicle Cd travels to the destination of the distribution target vehicle Cd, and the maximum distribution is possible within a predetermined distribution capacity limit. The map information of the new road is distributed to the distribution target vehicle Cd so as to be the distribution capacity. According to this configuration, it is possible to distribute map information of a new road that is highly usable even if the distribution is within the distribution capacity limit.

  In the above configuration, when it is assumed that the distribution target vehicle Cd uses the new road with the same tendency as the trend of the travel history when the new road is used by the probe vehicle Cp, the distribution target vehicle Cd is the distribution target vehicle. A new road that is likely to be a route when traveling to the destination of Cd can be identified. And since the map information of the new road with high possibility of becoming a route is distributed, the map information of the new road with high possibility of being used in the travel scheduled by the user can be distributed with priority.

  In addition, the delivery target vehicle Cd is newly selected so as to be the maximum delivery capacity that can be delivered within the delivery capacity limit by selecting the delivery target in descending order of the possibility of becoming a route when traveling to the destination of the delivery target vehicle Cd. Since the map information of the road is distributed to the distribution target vehicle Cd, the map information of the new road that is highly likely to be used is distributed even when the distribution capacity of the map information is limited. As a result, map information with high utility value is distributed.

  Furthermore, according to the above configuration, it is possible to statistically identify a new road that is likely to be a route when the distribution target vehicle Cd travels to the destination based on the travel distance of the probe vehicle Cp. That is, in the present embodiment, by analyzing the traveling history of many vehicles and using the frequency information 30c, the road used when a long-distance movement is made and the road used when a short-distance movement is made tend to be different. To be statistically analyzed. Therefore, it is possible to determine the distribution target according to the mode in which the road is used while ensuring a certain level of reliability.

(2) Travel history information transmission processing:
Next, a travel history information transmission process executed by the navigation system used in the probe vehicle Cp will be described in detail. FIG. 3A is a flowchart showing a travel history information transmission process. The navigation system used in the probe vehicle Cp acquires the travel history information when the travel of the probe vehicle Cp is started, and repeats the acquisition of the travel history information until it is determined that the travel has ended (step S100, S105). That is, the navigation system continues to execute processing for acquiring information indicating the road on which the probe vehicle Cp has traveled while the probe vehicle Cp is traveling.

  In the present embodiment, the travel start point of the probe vehicle Cp is the departure point of the probe vehicle Cp, and the travel end point of the probe vehicle Cp is the destination of the probe vehicle Cp. Therefore, the navigation system determines whether or not the probe vehicle Cp has reached a preset destination in step S105, and determines that traveling has ended when it has arrived.

  When it is determined that the traveling of the probe vehicle Cp has ended, the navigation system records the traveling history information acquired in step S100 on a recording medium (not shown) (step S110). Here, the navigation system determines the travel end point that is the destination of the probe vehicle Cp from the travel start point that is the departure point of the probe vehicle Cp with respect to the travel history information (information that indicates the road that has traveled) acquired in step S100. The travel history information is defined in association with the travel distance up to and recorded on the recording medium. Here, the travel distance is a distance that is referred to when the frequency information 30c is generated, and is information for specifying a tendency when a new road is used. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the travel history information is defined so that the travel from the departure point to the destination is regarded as a single travel and the travel distance in the single travel is evaluated.

  In this configuration, even if you stop at a transit point such as a store in the process of traveling to the destination, the distance traveled from the departure point to the waypoint or the distance traveled from the waypoint to the destination is analyzed as the travel distance. Instead, the distance traveled from the departure point to the destination is analyzed as the travel distance. Therefore, it is possible to accurately evaluate the travel distance that affects the selection of the road by excluding the influence of the accidental stop at the waypoint.

  Next, the navigation system determines whether or not there is travel history information on a road for which a predetermined period has not elapsed after distribution (step S115). That is, in order to obtain travel history information about a new road in the probe vehicle Cp, the map information indicating the new road needs to be already distributed. Furthermore, it is considered that the map information of the new road has been distributed to most of the distribution target vehicles Cd that require the new road when a long time has passed after the new road was newly established. Therefore, after the map information of the new road is distributed to the probe vehicle Cp, the probe vehicle Cp becomes in a state in which the travel history information about the new road can be defined, and then the new road within a predetermined period. It is set as the structure which analyzes based on driving | running | working history information at the time of driving | running | working. According to this configuration, it is possible to exclude from the analysis target a new road that has been newly constructed and has been for a long time. The predetermined period is a period set in advance as a period for determining that a long period has elapsed after a new road is newly established.

  Specifically, in step S115, the navigation system refers to the travel history information recorded on the recording medium in step S110, and specifies the elapsed period after distribution for each road indicated by the travel history information. The elapsed period after distribution can be specified by recording the distribution time of the map information by the navigation system and comparing the distribution time with the current time. Then, the navigation system compares the elapsed period after distribution of the map information indicating each road with a predetermined period, and if there is road history information on a road whose elapsed period is shorter than the predetermined period, the predetermined period elapses after distribution. It is determined that there is travel history information on a road that has not been completed.

  If it is determined in step S115 that there is no travel history information on a road that has not passed the predetermined period after distribution, the navigation system skips step S120 and performs a travel history information transmission process without transmitting the travel history information. finish. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S115 that there is road travel history information for which a predetermined period has not elapsed after distribution, the navigation system transmits road history information for roads for which the predetermined period has not elapsed after distribution. (Step S120). That is, the navigation system makes a request for transmission of the travel history information to the map information distribution system 10 and when a response to accept the transmission request is received from the map information distribution system 10, a predetermined period elapses after distribution. Send the running history information of the road that is not. When the navigation system of the probe vehicle Cp transmits the travel history information, the control unit 20 of the map information distribution system 10 receives the travel history information by the processing of the travel history information receiving unit 21d and stores the travel history information in the recording medium 30. Record as 30b.

(3) Map information distribution processing:
Next, the map information distribution process executed by the map information distribution program 21 in the map information distribution system 10 will be described in detail. In the map information distribution process, the control unit 20 stands by until there is a distribution request from the distribution target vehicle Cd by the process of the distribution request receiving unit 21a (step S200). That is, the control unit 20 stands by until receiving a distribution request from the distribution target vehicle Cd via the communication unit 22.

  When it is determined in step S200 that there is a distribution request, the control unit 20 identifies a new road as a distribution target candidate (step S205). Here, the control unit 20 selects a candidate for distribution from information recorded as a new road in the map information 30a. For this purpose, the control unit 20 acquires information (information indicating the departure place and the destination) transmitted from the distribution target vehicle Cd together with the distribution request by the processing of the distribution request receiving unit 21a. Moreover, the control part 20 specifies the new road of a delivery object candidate based on the said information by the process of the road specific part 21b.

  Specifically, the control unit 20 sets a new road existing in a predetermined area including the departure point of the distribution target vehicle Cd and the destination of the distribution target vehicle Cd as a distribution target candidate. FIG. 3C is a diagram showing the starting point S of the distribution target vehicle Cd and the destination G of the distribution target vehicle Cd together with the main road (solid curve). In this example, the predetermined area Z is indicated by a broken line. Here, the predetermined area Z is one area including the starting point and the destination of the distribution target vehicle Cd, and is an area within a predetermined range from a line segment connecting the starting point and the destination. In other words, the predetermined area including the departure point and the destination of the delivery target vehicle Cd is considered to have a very high possibility of including a road serving as a route from the departure point to the destination. A new road in the region is set as a distribution target candidate, and a new road that is likely to be a route when the distribution target vehicle Cd travels to the destination of the distribution target vehicle Cd from the distribution target candidate is specified. In this way, new roads that are extremely unlikely to be used are excluded from distribution targets.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which a new road that is not included in the map information recorded on the recording medium used in the navigation system mounted on the distribution target vehicle Cd is set as a distribution target candidate. That is, the control unit 20 sets a new road that is not distributed to the distribution target vehicle Cd as a distribution target candidate. Specifically, the control unit 20 refers to the ID of the distribution target vehicle Cd, and selects a new road that is in the above-described predetermined area and does not correspond to the ID of the distribution target vehicle Cd. And In the present embodiment, the analysis load is reduced by limiting the distribution target candidates as described above.

When the distribution target candidate is specified, the control unit 20 acquires a distance range associated with the new road of the distribution target candidate by the process of the road specifying unit 21b (step S210). That is, the control unit 20 refers to the map information 30a of the new road that is the candidate for distribution and analyzes the frequency information 30c as described above to determine the distance range (the most frequently used) of each new road. Specify the distance range. As a result, the distance range is specified for all the roads that are the new roads to be distributed. For example, when all of the new roads R _{1 to} R _{4 in} the example shown in FIG. 2 are candidates for distribution, the control unit 20 determines that the new road R ₁ is the distance range C and the new road R based on the map information 30a. ₂ designates the distance range B, the new road R ₃ is associated with the distance range B, and the new road R ₄ is associated with the distance range A.

Next, the control unit 20 determines the distribution priority on the assumption that a new road whose distance range is closer to the planned travel distance of the distribution target vehicle is more likely to be used (step S215). That is, the control unit 20 calculates the planned travel distance from the departure point and the destination of the distribution target vehicle Cd received together with the distribution request output from the distribution target vehicle Cd, and is acquired in step S210. The distance range associated with the new road that is the candidate for distribution is compared. Then, the control unit 20 considers that a new road whose distance range is closer to the planned travel distance is more likely to be a route when the distribution target vehicle Cd travels to the destination of the distribution target vehicle Cd. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 2, when the planned travel distance of the distribution target vehicle Cd is 40 km and the roads R _{1 to} R ₄ are new roads, the new road R _{1 associated} with the distance range C, the distance The new roads R ₂ and R _{3 associated with} the range B and the new road R _{4 associated} with the distance range A are likely to be routes when traveling to the destination.

  Next, the control unit 20 selects a distribution target in order from a new road having a higher distribution priority, and distributes the map information of the new road so as to be the maximum distribution capacity that can be distributed within the distribution capacity limit (step S220). ). That is, the control unit 20 confirms the capacity of the information when transmitting the map information of the new road, and sends the map information indicating the new road in order from the new road having the higher distribution priority via the communication unit 22. Processing to distribute to Cd is performed. Then, when map information of a new road that has not been distributed is distributed, the process is repeated until it is determined that the distribution capacity limit is exceeded, so that the map of the new road is set to the maximum distribution capacity that can be distributed within the distribution capacity limit. The information is distributed to the distribution target vehicle Cd. According to the above configuration, a new road that is likely to be a route when the delivery target vehicle Cd travels to the destination of the delivery target vehicle Cd can be preferentially delivered to the delivery target vehicle Cd.

(4) Other embodiments:
The above embodiment is an example for carrying out the present invention, and based on the travel history information of the probe vehicle, the distribution target vehicle is highly likely to be a route when traveling to the destination of the distribution target vehicle. As long as a road is specified and distributed, various other embodiments can be adopted. For example, a configuration in which step S115 is omitted in the travel history information transmission process may be employed.

  Note that in step S115, it is only necessary to exclude new roads that have passed for a long time period from the analysis target, and the same may be realized by processing on the map information distribution system 10 side. For example, the map information distribution system 10 is configured to record a new road creation time, and when a certain period of time has elapsed from the new construction time, the distribution target vehicle travels to the destination of the distribution target vehicle. You may comprise so that it may exclude from the delivery object candidate which determines whether it is a new road with high possibility of becoming a path | route at the time of carrying out.

  Further, in step S205 of the map information distribution process, a new road existing in a predetermined area including the departure point and the destination is set as a distribution target candidate, and a new road that is not distributed to the distribution target vehicle Cd is distributed. A configuration that is a target candidate is adopted, but a configuration in which either the former or the latter is omitted may be employed.

  Furthermore, the predetermined area used when selecting a candidate for distribution is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 3C. For example, a predetermined segment (mesh) including a starting point and a line segment connecting the destination and the starting point and the destination. It may be a region constituted by. Of course, the size of the predetermined area may vary depending on the distance between the departure place and the destination. For example, a region within a predetermined range from the line connecting the starting point and the destination is set as the predetermined region, and the predetermined range increases as the distance between the starting point and the destination increases, or the distance between the starting point and the destination It is possible to adopt a configuration in which the number of the predetermined sections increases as the value increases.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the distance range associated with the new road is one type, but it may be configured to associate two or more types of distance ranges. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a distance range having a usage frequency equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold is associated with a new road. In the example shown in FIG. ₂ , the distance range B and the distance range E are associated with the new road R _2. A configuration may be adopted.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the priority for distributing the new road is specified by the distance range associated with the new road. You may define the priority at the time of delivery. For example, a configuration in which a new road closer to the distribution target vehicle Cd is considered to have a higher priority, a configuration in which a new road closer to a straight distance from a departure point to a destination or a virtual route is considered to have a higher priority, etc. It can be adopted.

  Furthermore, the travel history information of the probe vehicle only needs to be information that can identify characteristics when a new road is used, and various histories such as travel distance, vehicle speed, acceleration, and position by the probe vehicle are used as travel history. It is possible. For example, when a new road is used, characteristics of the new road are analyzed based on a frequency distribution of the vehicle speed, and a new road that tends to be frequently used at a vehicle speed close to the estimated vehicle speed when the distribution target vehicle Cd travels to the destination. A configuration or the like that is considered to be a new road that is highly likely to be a route when traveling to the destination may be employed. Of course, the characteristics when a new road is used are preferably specified statistically, and it is preferable that travel history information by a predetermined number or more of probe vehicles is analyzed.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the destination of the probe vehicle Cp is designated in advance by the user, but the destination may be specified by other configurations. For example, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the parking position is regarded as a destination when a predetermined time or more has elapsed after the probe vehicle Cp is parked at an arbitrary position.

  Furthermore, since the information regarding the destination of the distribution target vehicle Cd transmitted from the distribution target vehicle Cd together with the distribution request identifies a road that is likely to be a route when traveling to the destination of the distribution target vehicle Cd. May be transmitted from the distribution target vehicle Cd, and may be information related to the route when traveling to the destination. Therefore, it is good also as a structure which transmits the driving | running | working planned distance (an estimated driving planned distance is also possible) at the time of the distribution object vehicle Cd driving | running to a destination.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Map information delivery system, 20 ... Control part, 21 ... Map information delivery program, 21a ... Delivery request reception part, 21b ... Road identification part, 21c ... Map information delivery part, 21d ... Travel history information receiving part, 22 ... Communication parts, 30 ... recording medium, 30a ... map information, 30b ... running history information, 30c ... frequency information, Cd ... distribution target vehicle, Cp ... probe vehicles, POI ... large-scale commercial facilities, R ₁ to R ₄ ... new road

Claims (10)

A distribution request receiving means for receiving a distribution request for map information of a new road from the distribution target vehicle and information regarding the destination of the distribution target vehicle;
Road identification means for identifying the new road that is likely to be a route when the distribution target vehicle travels to the destination of the distribution target vehicle based on travel history information of the probe vehicle that has traveled on the new road; ,
Map information distribution means for distributing map information of the new road to the distribution target vehicle, which is likely to be a route when the distribution target vehicle travels to a destination of the distribution target vehicle;
A map information distribution system. The travel history information is information in which a travel distance from a travel start point of the probe vehicle to a travel end point is associated with the new road on which the probe vehicle has traveled,
The road identification means is
Obtaining a planned travel distance when the distribution target vehicle travels to a destination of the distribution target vehicle;
Based on the travel history information, obtain frequency information indicating the frequency at which the new road was used for the probe vehicle for each travel distance;
Based on the frequency information, identify the new road that is relatively frequently used when the probe vehicle has traveled the planned travel distance,
Considering the new road as the new road that is likely to be a route when the delivery target vehicle travels to the destination of the delivery target vehicle.
The map information distribution system according to claim 1. The frequency information is a frequency distribution that classifies the travel distance into a plurality of predetermined distance ranges, and indicates the frequency with which the new road is used for the probe vehicle for each classification,
The road identification means is
Associating the distance range with the highest frequency with the new road,
Considering that the new road associated with the distance range close to the planned travel distance is more likely to be a route when the distribution target vehicle travels to the destination of the distribution target vehicle,
The map information distribution system according to claim 2. The travel history information is information that defines a distance from the travel start point, which is the departure point of the probe vehicle, to the travel end point, which is the destination of the probe vehicle, as the travel distance.
The map information delivery system according to any one of claims 2 and 3. The road specifying means is configured to cause the distribution target vehicle to travel from the new road existing within a predetermined area including the departure point of the distribution target vehicle and the destination of the distribution target vehicle to the destination of the distribution target vehicle. Identify the new road that is likely to be
The map information delivery system in any one of Claims 1-4. The road identification means is based on the travel history information when the probe vehicle to which the map information of the new road is distributed travels on the new road within a predetermined period after the distribution of the map information. Identifying the new road that is likely to be a route when the vehicle travels to the destination of the delivery target vehicle;
The map information delivery system in any one of Claims 1-5. The road specifying means becomes a route when the distribution target vehicle travels from a road not included in the map information recorded on the recording medium mounted on the distribution target vehicle to the destination of the distribution target vehicle. Identify the new road that is most likely,
The map information delivery system in any one of Claims 1-6. The map information distribution means selects a distribution target in descending order of the possibility that the distribution target vehicle will travel to the destination of the distribution target vehicle, and the maximum distribution is possible within a predetermined distribution capacity limit. Deliver the map information of the new road to the delivery target vehicle so as to be a delivery capacity,
The map information delivery system in any one of Claims 1-7. A distribution request receiving step for receiving a distribution request for map information of a new road from the distribution target vehicle and information regarding the destination of the distribution target vehicle;
A road identifying step for identifying the new road that is likely to be a route when the distribution target vehicle travels to the destination of the distribution target vehicle based on travel history information of the probe vehicle that has traveled on the new road; ,
A map information distribution step of distributing map information of the new road, which is likely to be a route when the distribution target vehicle travels to a destination of the distribution target vehicle, to the distribution target vehicle;
Map information delivery method including A distribution request receiving function for receiving a distribution request for map information of a new road from the distribution target vehicle and information regarding the destination of the distribution target vehicle;
A road identification function for identifying the new road that is likely to be a route when the distribution target vehicle travels to the destination of the distribution target vehicle based on travel history information of the probe vehicle that has traveled on the new road; ,
A map information distribution function for distributing map information of the new road to the distribution target vehicle, which is likely to be a route when the distribution target vehicle travels to a destination of the distribution target vehicle;
Map information distribution program that makes a computer realize.

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