JP2018205041A - Information acquisition apparatus, information acquisition system, information acquisition method, and information acquisition program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve communication efficiency. An information acquisition device according to an embodiment includes an acquisition unit, a display control unit, and a determination unit. The acquisition unit acquires one or more point information in the map data each time a predetermined timing arrives. The display control unit displays the map data in a scrollable manner in the display area of the display unit, and displays the point information on the map data each time the point information is acquired by the acquisition unit. The determination unit determines the arrival of the above timing. Further, the determination unit makes the above timing different depending on the movement factor of the central point of the map data with respect to the display area. [Selection diagram] FIG. 2A

Description

  Embodiments disclosed herein relate to an information acquisition apparatus, an information acquisition system, an information acquisition method, and an information acquisition program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an apparatus that is mounted on a vehicle and has a navigation function using a GPS (Global Positioning System) is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In such an apparatus, in addition to guiding the vehicle to the destination while displaying the current position and destination of the host vehicle on the map data displayed on the display screen, for example, based on facility information distributed from the center There is a function for displaying an icon or the like indicating “where and what facilities” on the map data.

  In the operation of such a function, for example, from the vehicle side, the current position and the genre of facility information to be acquired (such as a convenience store and a gas station) are transmitted to the center. The center searches for facility information of a specified genre using an external content provider or the like. At this time, the search target range is designated centering on the current position of the vehicle, and the search results are returned from the content provider within the limits of, for example, the maximum of 10 km around and the maximum number of cases of 100.

  Then, the center transmits the received search result to the vehicle side, and the device on the vehicle side displays an icon or the like corresponding to each facility on the map data based on the search result. This function is repeatedly performed every time the center point of the displayed map data moves by a predetermined distance (for example, 600 m).

JP 2009-1000039 A

  However, the above-described conventional technology has room for further improvement in improving communication efficiency.

  Specifically, when the above-described conventional technology is used, the search result from the content provider is repeatedly acquired every time the central point of the map data moves by a predetermined distance. However, the acquired contents often overlap, and data communication It was easy to waste.

  One aspect of the embodiments has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide an information acquisition device, an information acquisition system, an information acquisition method, and an information acquisition program that can improve communication efficiency.

  An information acquisition device according to an aspect of an embodiment includes an acquisition unit, a display control unit, and a determination unit. The acquisition unit acquires one or more pieces of point information in map data each time a predetermined timing arrives. The display control unit displays the map data in a scrollable manner on the display area of the display unit, and displays the point information on the map data every time the acquisition unit acquires the point information. The determination unit determines the arrival of the timing. Moreover, the said determination part changes the said timing according to the movement factor of the central point of the said map data with respect to the said display area.

  According to one aspect of the embodiment, communication can be made efficient.

FIG. 1A is a schematic explanatory diagram (part 1) of the information acquisition method according to the embodiment. FIG. 1B is a schematic explanatory diagram (part 2) of the information acquisition method according to the embodiment. FIG. 1C is a schematic explanatory diagram (part 3) of the information acquisition method according to the embodiment. FIG. 1D is a schematic explanatory diagram (part 4) of the information acquisition method according to the embodiment. FIG. 2A is a block diagram of the information acquisition system according to the embodiment. FIG. 2B is a block diagram of the search condition setting unit. FIG. 3A is a process explanatory diagram (part 1) of the passage route prediction process. FIG. 3B is a process explanatory diagram (part 2) of the passage route prediction process. FIG. 3C is a process explanatory diagram (part 3) of the passage route prediction process. FIG. 4A is a process explanatory diagram (part 1) of the search range derivation process and the search center point setting process. FIG. 4B is a process explanatory diagram (part 2) of the search range derivation process and the search center point setting process. FIG. 4C is a process explanatory diagram (part 3) of the search range deriving process and the search center point setting process. FIG. 4D is a process explanatory diagram (part 4) of the search range derivation process and the search center point setting process. FIG. 4E is a process explanatory diagram (part 5) of the search range deriving process and the search center point setting process. FIG. 5A is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating a processing procedure executed by the information acquisition system according to the embodiment. FIG. 5B is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating a processing procedure executed by the information acquisition system according to the embodiment. FIG. 5C is a flowchart (part 3) illustrating a processing procedure executed by the information acquisition system according to the embodiment. FIG. 5D is a flowchart (part 4) illustrating a processing procedure executed by the information acquisition system according to the embodiment. FIG. 5E is a flowchart (part 5) illustrating a processing procedure executed by the information acquisition system according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an example of a computer that realizes the function of the information acquisition apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 7A is a process explanatory diagram of an update timing determination process according to another embodiment. FIG. 7B is a process explanatory diagram of search condition setting processing according to another embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an information acquisition device, an information acquisition system, an information acquisition method, and an information acquisition program disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by embodiment shown below.

  In the following, after describing the outline of the information acquisition method according to the present embodiment with reference to FIGS. 1A to 1D, the information acquisition device 10 to which the information acquisition method according to the present embodiment is applied and the information acquisition system including the same 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A to 7B.

  In the following, description will be made by taking as an example a case where facility information regarding peripheral facilities such as a convenience store and a gas station is acquired, and an icon corresponding to the facility information is displayed on the map data of the display unit. . The facility information corresponds to an example of one or more pieces of point information in the map data.

  First, an outline of an information acquisition method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A to 1D. 1A to 1D are schematic explanatory views (No. 1) to (No. 4) of an information acquisition method according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the information acquisition system 1 according to the present embodiment includes an information acquisition device 10 and a content provider 300. The information acquisition device 10 includes an in-vehicle device 100 mounted on the vehicle C and a server device 200 provided in the center.

  The in-vehicle device 100, the server device 200, and the content provider 300 are provided to be able to communicate with each other via the network N. The connection form of the server apparatus 200 and the content provider 300 to the network N may be wired or wireless.

  In the information acquisition method according to the present embodiment using the information acquisition system 1, the in-vehicle device 100 first executes the “update timing determination process” on the vehicle C side for the purpose of improving the efficiency of communication (step S1).

  In the “update timing determination process”, a trigger for updating the display of the icon according to the movement reason of the central point of the map data displayed on the display unit (usually corresponding to the current position of the vehicle C in the navigation function) The timing at which the facility information acquisition request is transmitted to the center side can be changed.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1B, in the update timing determination process, if the reason for the movement of the central point of the map data is the actual movement of the current position CP of the vehicle C (“current position movement”), 600 m Each (corresponding to an example of “predetermined first distance”) is determined as the update timing.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 1C, in the update timing determination process, when the reason for the movement of the central point of the map data is a movement by a scroll operation on the touch panel 110 on which the map data is displayed (“scroll operation movement”), Every 1000 m (corresponding to an example of “predetermined second distance”) larger than the case of FIG. 1B is determined as the update timing.

  As a result, the timing of communication to the center side can be changed between “current position movement” and “scroll operation movement”. More specifically, in the case of “scroll operation movement” The number of times that communication occurs can be reduced as compared with the case of “position movement”. Therefore, it can contribute to making communication efficient.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 1A. Subsequently, in the information acquisition method according to the present embodiment, the in-vehicle device 100 executes “search condition setting processing” (step S2). In such “search condition setting process”, the center position (hereinafter referred to as “search center point”) of the facility information search target range (hereinafter referred to as “search range”) is not the current position CP, but from now on. An optimal separation distance is set from the current position CP on the predicted route where the vehicle C is predicted to pass.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1D, in the search condition setting process, a future route of the vehicle C is predicted (step S21), and the predicted route is determined. Details of this processing will be described later with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3C.

  In the search condition setting process, the search center point SC is set on the predicted route while optimizing the separation distance from the current position CP (step S22). The separation distance is optimized based on the density of surrounding facilities indicated by the search result. Then, a search range whose radius is the separation distance is set (step S23). Details of these processes will be described later with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4E.

  Thus, the current position CP is set as the search center point SC by setting the search condition including the search center point SC set with an optimal separation distance on the predicted route through which the vehicle C will pass. Can reduce duplication of data between search results. Therefore, it can contribute to making communication efficient.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 1A. Subsequently, in the information acquisition method according to the present embodiment, the in-vehicle device 100 makes a “facility information acquisition request” based on the processing result of the “search condition setting processing” (step S3), and the server device 200 performs the acquisition. Based on the request, a “cache availability determination process” is executed (step S4). In the “cache availability determination process”, it is determined whether or not the facility information can be searched using the cache DB (database) 203a of the server device 200.

  In the information acquisition method according to the present embodiment, the server device 200 periodically analyzes a search history and the like, and acquires information about facility information around a road with a lot of traffic and facility information corresponding to a search condition with a lot of search results. The search is performed using the provider 300, and the search result is stored in the cache DB 203a. Details of this processing will be described later with reference to FIG. 5E.

  Therefore, when the cache DB 203a can be used for the search with the search condition included in the acquisition request from the in-vehicle device 100, the server device 200 uses the cache DB 203a as the search target DB in the subsequent “search process” (step S5). Perform a search for information.

  Further, when the cache DB 203a cannot be used, the server device 200 performs a search for facility information using the facility information DB 301 of the content provider 300 as a search target DB in “search processing” (step S5).

  In this way, the number of communications between the server device 200 and the content provider 300 is reduced by switching the search target DB between the cache DB 203a or the facility information DB 301 and using the cache DB 203a for frequently used search conditions. Can contribute to improving communication efficiency.

  Then, after executing “search processing”, the server device 200 transmits data to the in-vehicle device 100 after “data shaping” of the search result directed to the in-vehicle device 100 (step S6), and the in-vehicle device 100 performs such data shaping. Based on the retrieved result, “facility information display update” is performed (step S7). The icons of the peripheral facilities on the map data on the display unit are displayed and updated in step S7.

  Hereinafter, the information acquisition apparatus 10 to which the information acquisition method according to the present embodiment described above is applied and the information acquisition system 1 including the information acquisition apparatus 10 will be described more specifically.

  FIG. 2A is a block diagram of the information acquisition system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2B is a block diagram of the search condition setting unit 101c. In FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, only components necessary for explaining the features of the present embodiment are represented by functional blocks, and descriptions of general components are omitted.

  In other words, each component illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B is functionally conceptual and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. For example, the specific form of distribution / integration of each functional block is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and all or a part thereof is functionally or physically distributed in arbitrary units according to various loads or usage conditions.・ It can be integrated and configured.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the information acquisition system 1 includes an information acquisition device 10 and a content provider 300. The information acquisition device 10 includes an in-vehicle device 100 and a server device 200.

  It demonstrates from the vehicle equipment 100 side. The in-vehicle device 100 is connected to the touch panel 110, the GPS unit 120, and the sensor unit 130 mounted on the vehicle C so as to be communicable with each other.

  The touch panel 110 includes an operation unit 111 and a display unit 112. The touch panel 110 is configured by combining, for example, an operation unit 111 that is an operation component having a capacitive information input function and a display unit 112 that is a display component such as a liquid crystal panel. The operation unit 111 receives an input operation of the user, for example, the above-described scroll operation and notifies the in-vehicle device 100.

  The display unit 112 displays map data, for example, scrolls the map data according to the scroll operation described above, or displays an icon corresponding to the facility information based on an instruction from the in-vehicle device 100.

  A GPS (Global Positioning System) unit 120 acquires the position of the in-vehicle device 100, that is, the current position CP of the vehicle C, based on radio waves received from GPS satellites. Further, the GPS unit 120 outputs the acquired current position CP to the in-vehicle device 100.

  The sensor unit 130 is a detection device group such as a traveling state of the vehicle C and includes, for example, a vehicle speed sensor and a direction sensor. The sensor unit 130 outputs the detected traveling state and the like to the in-vehicle device 100.

  The in-vehicle device 100 includes a control unit 101, a communication unit 102, and a storage unit 103. The control unit 101 includes a display control unit 101a, an update timing determination unit 101b, a search condition setting unit 101c, a search request unit 101d, and a search result acquisition unit 101e.

  The communication unit 102 is a wireless communication device, and performs data transmission / reception between the in-vehicle device 100 and the server device 200.

  The storage unit 103 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive, a nonvolatile memory, or a register, and stores map information 103a, destination information 103b, travel history 103c, and facility information 103d.

  The map information 103a is information including map data that is displayed on the display unit 112 by the display control unit 101a. The destination information 103b is information including a destination set by the user in the navigation function.

  The travel history 103c is information related to the travel history of the vehicle C, and each history includes date and weather. The facility information 103d is information related to surrounding facilities held by the in-vehicle device 100, and search results acquired from the server device 200, for example, are held for a predetermined period, for example.

  The control unit 101 controls the in-vehicle device 100 as a whole. The display control unit 101a causes the display unit 112 to display map data based on the map information 103a. Further, the display control unit 101a causes the display unit 112 to display the guide route set based on the destination information 103b on the map data.

  Further, the display control unit 101a causes the display unit 112 to display icons of neighboring facilities on the map data based on the search result of the facility information acquired by the search result acquisition unit 101e described later.

  The update timing determination unit 101b executes the above-described “update timing determination process” (see FIGS. 1A to 1C). That is, in the case of “current position movement”, for example, the above-described “search condition setting process” (see FIGS. 1A and 1D) by the search condition setting unit 101c at the next stage is executed every 600 m of movement. In the case of “scroll operation movement”, for example, every 1000 m of movement, “search condition setting processing” by the search condition setting unit 101c in the next stage is executed.

  The search condition setting unit 101c executes “search condition setting process” based on an instruction from the update timing determination unit 101b. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2B, the search condition setting unit 101c includes a guide route management unit 101ca, a travel history management unit 101cb, a travel situation determination unit 101cc, a passing route prediction unit 101cd, and a search range derivation. Part 101ce and search center point setting part 101cf.

  The guide route management unit 101ca manages the guide route to the destination set in the destination information 103b based on the destination information 103b. The travel history management unit 101cb manages the travel history 103c. The traveling state determination unit 101cc determines the traveling state of the vehicle C including the current position CP and the vehicle speed based on the detection results of the GPS unit 120 and the sensor unit 130.

  The passing route prediction unit 101cd predicts a passing route through which the vehicle C will pass based on information from the guidance route management unit 101ca, the travel history management unit 101cb, and the traveling state determination unit 101cc, and sets a predicted route.

  Here, the passage route prediction processing by the passage route prediction unit 101cd will be described more specifically with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3C. 3A to 3C are process explanatory diagrams (part 1) to (part 3) of the passage route prediction process.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, in the case of “with destination”, that is, when the destination G is set in the destination information 103b and the guide route to the destination G is managed by the guide route management unit 101ca, The passing route prediction unit 101cd predicts the guidance route as a passing route (step S31). In the subsequent “search condition setting process”, the search center point SC is set at any point on the predicted passing route (step S32).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, in the case of “no destination” but “having travel history”, that is, the destination G is not set in the destination information 103b, but the travel history 103c relating to the road being traveled is the travel history management. When managed by the unit 101cb, the passage route prediction unit 101cd determines whether the destination G can be estimated from the current date and time, weather, and the like.

  That is, when the destination route prediction unit 101cd can estimate the destination G from the travel history 103c that matches the current date and time, weather, day of the week, and the like (step S33), the route to the estimable destination G is determined. A passing route is predicted (step S34). In the subsequent “search condition setting process”, the search center point SC is set at any point on the predicted passing route (similar to step S32 in FIG. 3A).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3C, in the case of “no destination” and “no travel history”, that is, the destination G is not set in the destination information 103b, and the travel history 103c related to the road on which travel is performed If not, the passage route prediction unit 101cd obtains the determination result of the traveling state determination unit 101cc.

  As a result, when the vehicle is traveling on a main road (step S35), the passage route prediction unit 101cd predicts the main road as a passage route (step S36). In the subsequent “search condition setting process”, the search center point SC is set at any point on the predicted passing route (similar to step S32 in FIG. 3A).

  As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, the passing route prediction unit 101 cd predicts the passing route, so that it is possible to set search conditions for the server device 200 for the purpose of reducing data duplication between search results. It becomes. That is, it can contribute to the efficiency improvement of communication.

  In FIG. 3C, when the road being traveled is not a main road, the search center point SC may be set at the current position CP in the subsequent “search condition setting process”.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 2B. The search range deriving unit 101ce searches for peripheral facilities at the current position CP based on the facility information 103d held in the in-vehicle device 100, and derives a search range that can be acquired based on the search result. The search center point setting unit 101cf sets the search center point SC on the passage route predicted by the passage route prediction unit 101cd, that is, the prediction route, based on the search range derived by the search range deriving unit 101ce.

  Here, the search range deriving process by the search range deriving unit 101ce and the search center point setting process by the search center point setting unit 101cf will be described more specifically with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4E. 4A to 4E are explanatory diagrams (No. 1) to (No. 5) of the search range deriving process and the search center point setting process. 4A to 4E exemplify a case where an icon of a convenience store (hereinafter referred to as “convenience store”) is displayed. Three types of icons representing convenience store a to convenience store c are illustrated in a very simplified manner.

  First, as shown in FIG. 4A, the search range deriving unit 101ce searches for an upper limit facility around the current position CP (here, the genre is “convenience store”) (step S41). That is, the search range deriving unit 101ce searches for the surrounding facilities centering on the current position CP until, for example, the maximum radius is 10 km or the maximum number of cases is 100. Based on the result, a search range is derived (step S42).

  The size of the search range varies depending on the density of the searched surrounding facilities. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, when the “surrounding facility is sparse”, the derived search range is relatively larger than when the “surrounding facility is dense”. In other words, when the “surrounding facility is dense”, the derived search range is relatively smaller than when the “surrounding facility is sparse”.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4C, the search center point setting unit 101cf sets a point that is advanced from the current position CP by the radius n as the search center point SC based on the search range derived by the search range deriving unit 101ce. (Step S43).

  Then, as illustrated in FIG. 4D, the search range deriving unit 101ce performs a search again with the search center point SC set by the search center point setting unit 101cf (step S44). The re-search is an upper limit search based on the facility information 103d, similar to step S41. Based on the result, a search range is derived (step S45).

  Here, the size of the derived new search range should change depending on the density of surrounding facilities. If the current position CP is included in the derived search range as shown in FIG. 4D, it is considered that there is no omission in the search for facility information around the current position CP. The search center point SC set in step 1 and the search range derived in step S45 are set as search conditions for the server device 200 side.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4E, if the current position CP is not included in the search range in step S45, there is a possibility that the facility information around the current position CP may be leaked. 101cf again sets a point that has returned the predicted route by an insufficient distance as a search center point SC (step S46). Then, the search range deriving unit 101ce repeats the processing from step S44 at the new search center point SC. The process flow from step S46 is repeated until the short distance is resolved.

  By executing the search range derivation process and the search center point setting process shown in FIGS. 4A to 4E, it is possible to reduce the duplication of data between search results and prevent data leakage. Search conditions can be set. That is, it can contribute to the efficiency improvement of communication.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 2A. The search condition setting unit 101c outputs a search condition including the set search center point SC to the search request unit 101d. The search request unit 101d transmits a search request reflecting the search condition received from the search condition setting unit 101c to the server device 200 side via the communication unit 102.

  The search result acquisition unit 101e acquires, via the communication unit 102, a search result returned from the server device 200 in response to the search request transmitted by the search request unit 101d. In addition, the search result acquisition unit 101e notifies the display control unit 101a of the acquired search result, and causes the display control unit 101a to display and update the icons of the peripheral facilities displayed on the display unit 112.

  Next, the server apparatus 200 side will be described. The server device 200 includes a control unit 201, a communication unit 202, and a storage unit 203. The control unit 201 includes a cache availability determination unit 201a, a search execution unit 201b, a data shaping unit 201c, and an update unit 201d.

  The communication unit 202 is a communication device, and performs data transmission / reception between the server device 200 and the in-vehicle device 100 and data transmission / reception between the server device 200 and the content provider 300.

  The storage unit 203 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive, a nonvolatile memory, or a register, and stores a cache DB 203a and a search history 203b.

  As described above, the cache DB 203a stores search results periodically searched using the content provider 300 for facility information around roads with a large amount of traffic and facility information corresponding to search conditions with many search results. Is done.

  The search history 203b is information related to a history of “search processing” executed by a search execution unit 201b described later, and is appropriately updated by the search execution unit 201b.

  The control unit 201 controls the entire server device 200. The cache availability determination unit 201a executes the above-described “cache availability determination process” (see FIG. 1A). That is, the cache availability determination unit 201a determines whether a search using the cache DB 203a held by the server device 200 is possible in response to a search request from the in-vehicle device 100 side.

  Specifically, the cache availability determination unit 201a refers to the cache DB 203a, determines that the cache DB 203a can use the search result corresponding to the search request from the in-vehicle device 100 side, and is included. If not, it is determined that it cannot be used.

  Further, the cache availability determination unit 201a notifies the search execution unit 201b of the determined determination result and the search request from the in-vehicle device 100 side.

  When the determination result of the cache availability determination unit 201a is available, the search execution unit 201b executes search processing for a search request from the in-vehicle device 100 side using the cache DB 203a as a search target DB. In addition, when the determination result of the cache availability determination unit 201a is unusable, the search execution unit 201b performs the search process for the search request from the in-vehicle device 100 side using the facility information DB 301 of the content provider 300 as the search target DB. As follows.

  Also, the search execution unit 201b extracts the search result of the executed search process from the cache DB 203a or receives it from the content provider 300 side via the communication unit 202 and outputs it to the data shaping unit 201c. In addition, the search execution unit 201b updates the search history 203b with the search result of the executed search process.

  The data shaping unit 201c shapes the search result received from the search execution unit 201b for the in-vehicle device 100, and transmits the data to the in-vehicle device 100 side via the communication unit 202.

  The update unit 201d analyzes the search history 203b for each predetermined period, and when there is a search condition with a high usage frequency, the search execution unit 201b performs a search process using the facility information DB 301 as a search target DB under the search condition. Let it run. When executing the search process based on the instruction from the update unit 201d, the search execution unit 201b stores the received search result in the cache DB 203a.

  Next, a processing procedure executed by the information acquisition system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5E. 5A to 5E are flowcharts (No. 1) to (No. 5) showing the processing procedure executed by the information acquisition system 1 according to the present embodiment. 5D and 5E are flowcharts that also serve as processing sequences among the in-vehicle device 100, the server device 200, and the content provider 300.

  First, it is assumed that the in-vehicle device 100 has been activated and the display control unit 101a displays at least the map data and the current position CP on the display unit 112. In such a state, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, the update timing determination unit 101b executes an update timing determination process.

  Specifically, the update timing determination unit 101b determines whether the current position movement is 600 m or the scroll operation movement is 1000 m with respect to the central point of the map data displayed on the display unit 112 (step S101). .

  Here, when the determination condition of step S101 is satisfied (step S101, Yes), the information acquisition system 1 executes a display update process (step S102). The display update process corresponds to a series of processes shown as steps S2 to S7 in FIG. 1A.

  When the determination condition of step S101 is not satisfied (step S101, No), the information acquisition system 1 shifts the control to step S103.

  In step S103, it is determined whether or not there is an end event. The end event corresponds to, for example, ACC off. Here, when it is determined that there is no end event (No at Step S103), the information acquisition system 1 repeats the processing from Step S101. If it is determined that there is an end event (step S103, Yes), the information acquisition system 1 ends the process.

  Next, the processing procedure of the display update process in step S102 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 5B, in the display update process, the passage route prediction unit 101cd of the search condition setting unit 101c determines whether or not there is a destination setting (step S201).

  Here, when it is determined that the destination is set (step S201, Yes), the passage route prediction unit 101cd predicts the guidance route managed by the guidance route management unit 101ca as a passage route (step S202).

  If it is not determined that the destination is set (step S201, No), the passing route prediction unit 101cd has a traveling history of the traveling road in the traveling history 103c managed by the traveling history management unit 101cb. It is determined whether or not (step S203).

  Here, when it is determined that there is a travel history (step S203, Yes), the passage route prediction unit 101cd determines whether the destination G can be estimated based on the travel history 103c (step S204). When it is determined that the destination G can be estimated (step S204, Yes), the passing route prediction unit 101cd predicts a route to the estimable destination G as a passing route (step S205).

  On the other hand, when the determination condition of step S203 or step S204 is not satisfied (step S203, No / step S204, No), the passing route prediction unit 101cd is traveling on the main road based on the determination result of the traveling state determination unit 101cc. It is determined whether or not (step S206).

  If it is determined that the vehicle is traveling on a main road (step S206, Yes), the passage route prediction unit 101cd predicts the main road as a passage route (step S207). When it is not determined that the vehicle is traveling on the main road (step S206, No), the passing route prediction unit 101cd adopts the current position CP (step S208).

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 5C, the search range deriving unit 101ce of the search condition setting unit 101c searches the vicinity of the current position CP based on the facility information 103d inside the in-vehicle device 100 (step S209). Then, the search range deriving unit 101ce derives a search range that can be acquired based on the search result (step S210).

  Then, the search center point setting unit 101cf sets a search center point SC that is a point advanced from the current position CP by the radius n of the search range on the predicted route (step S211).

  Then, the search range deriving unit 101ce re-searches the facility information 103d at the search center point SC (step S212), and then the search range deriving unit 101ce includes the current position CP in the search range derived in step S212. It is determined whether or not (step S213).

  Here, when it is determined that the current position CP is included in the search range (step S213, Yes), the control is moved to step S215. On the other hand, when it is not determined that the current position CP is included in the search range (step S213, No), the search center point setting unit 101cf sets the point where the predicted route is returned by the short distance as the search center point SC (step S214). ), The process from step S212 is repeated.

  Then, the search center point setting unit 101cf sets the search center point SC as a search condition (step S215), and the search request unit 101d makes a search request to the server device 200 with the set search condition (step S216).

  As shown in FIG. 5D, such a search request is received by the communication unit 202 in the server device 200 (step S217), and the cache availability determination unit 201a has already cached the corresponding information of the search request in the cache DB 203a. It is determined whether or not there is (step S218).

  Here, when it is determined that the cache has been completed (step S218, Yes), the search execution unit 201b extracts data from the cache DB 203a (step S219). On the other hand, if it is not determined that it has been cached (No at Step S218), the search execution unit 201b makes a search request to the content provider 300 (Step S220).

  The information providing device (for example, a database server not shown) of the content provider 300 receives the search request (step S221), extracts data from the facility information DB 301 (step S222), and sends the search result to the server device 200. Transmit (step S223).

  The search execution unit 201b of the server device 200 receives the search result (step S224), and the data shaping unit 201c transmits the search result after the data shaping for the in-vehicle device 100 (step S225). The data shaping unit 201c may transmit the search result to another in-vehicle device after data shaping for another in-vehicle device different from the in-vehicle device 100.

  The in-vehicle device 100 receives the search result by the search result acquisition unit 101e, displays the search result on the display control unit 101a (step S226), and ends the display update process.

  Next, the processing procedure of the update process of the cache DB 203a will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 5E, the update unit 201d analyzes the search history 203b (step S301). Then, the update unit 201d determines whether there is a search condition with a high usage frequency based on the analysis result (step S302).

  Here, when it is determined that there is a search condition with a high usage frequency (Yes in step S302), the search execution unit 201b makes a search request to the content provider 300 using the search condition (step S303). On the other hand, if it is not determined that there is a search condition with a high usage frequency (No at Step S302), the control is transferred to Step S309.

  The target device of the content provider 300 receives the search request (step S304), extracts data from the facility information DB 301 (step S305), and transmits the search result to the server device 200 (step S306).

  The search execution unit 201b of the server device 200 receives the search result (step S307), and stores the search result in the cache DB 203a (step S308).

  Then, for example, an analysis cycle is waited (step S309), and the processing from step S301 is repeated.

  Incidentally, the information acquisition apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can be realized by a computer 600 having a configuration shown as an example in FIG. FIG. 6 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the information acquisition apparatus 10 according to the embodiment.

  The computer 600 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 610, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 620, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 630, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 640. The computer 600 also includes a media interface (I / F) 650, a communication interface (I / F) 660, and an input / output interface (I / F) 670.

  The computer 600 may include an SSD (Solid State Drive), and the SSD may execute a part or all of the functions of the HDD 640. Further, an SSD may be provided instead of the HDD 640.

  The CPU 610 operates based on a program stored in at least one of the ROM 620 and the HDD 640 and controls each unit. The ROM 620 stores a boot program executed by the CPU 610 when the computer 600 starts up, a program depending on the hardware of the computer 600, and the like. The HDD 640 stores a program executed by the CPU 610, data used by the program, and the like.

  The media I / F 650 reads programs and data stored in the storage medium 680 and provides them to the CPU 610 via the RAM 630. The CPU 610 loads such a program from the storage medium 680 onto the RAM 630 via the media I / F 650, and executes the loaded program. Alternatively, the CPU 610 executes a program using such data. The storage medium 680 is, for example, a magneto-optical recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), an SD card, or a USB memory.

  Communication I / F 660 receives data from other devices via network 690 (corresponding to network N described above), sends the data to CPU 610, and transmits the data generated by CPU 610 to other devices via network 690. . Alternatively, the communication I / F 660 receives a program from another device via the network 690, sends the program to the CPU 610, and the CPU 610 executes the program.

  The CPU 610 controls an output unit such as the display unit 112 and an input unit such as a keyboard, a mouse, a button, and an operation unit 111 via the input / output I / F 670. The CPU 610 acquires data from the input unit via the input / output I / F 670. Further, the CPU 610 outputs the generated data to an output unit such as the display unit 112 via the input / output I / F 670.

  For example, when the computer 600 functions as the in-vehicle device 100, the CPU 610 of the computer 600 executes a program loaded on the RAM 630, thereby causing the display control unit 101a, the update timing determination unit 101b, and the search condition setting unit 101c. Each function of the control unit 101 including the search request unit 101d and the search result acquisition unit 101e is realized.

  Further, for example, when the computer 600 functions as the server device 200, the CPU 610 of the computer 600 executes a program loaded on the RAM 630, thereby executing the cache availability determination unit 201a, the search execution unit 201b, and the data shaping. Each function of the control unit 201 including the unit 201c and the update unit 201d is realized.

  For example, the CPU 610 of the computer 600 reads these programs from the storage medium 680 and executes them, but as another example, these programs may be acquired from other devices via the network 690. The HDD 640 can store information stored in the storage unit 103 and the storage unit 203.

  As described above, the information acquisition apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes the search result acquisition unit 101e (corresponding to an example of “acquisition unit”), the display control unit 101a, and the update timing determination unit 101b.

  The search result acquisition unit 101e acquires one or more pieces of facility information (corresponding to an example of “point information”) in map data each time an update timing (corresponding to an example of “predetermined timing”) arrives.

  The display control unit 101a displays the map data in a scrollable manner in the display area of the display unit 112, and displays the facility information on the map data every time the facility information is acquired by the search result acquisition unit 101e. The update timing determination unit 101b determines the arrival of the update timing. Further, the update timing determination unit 101b changes the update timing according to the movement factor of the central point of the map data with respect to the display area.

  Therefore, according to the information acquisition apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, communication can be made efficient.

  The update timing determination unit 101b also updates the map data every time the current position CP of the vehicle C (corresponding to an example of “moving object”) corresponding to the center point of the map data moves by a predetermined first distance. Each time the center point moves by a predetermined second distance by scroll operation, the search result acquisition unit 101e is made to acquire facility information. The first distance is smaller than the second distance.

  Therefore, according to the information acquisition apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the timing of communication to the center side can be changed between “current position movement” and “scroll operation movement”, and more specifically. In the case of “scroll operation movement”, the number of times of communication can be reduced as compared with the case of “current position movement”. Therefore, it can contribute to making communication efficient.

  Further, a search condition setting unit 101c for setting a search condition for facility information to be acquired by the search result acquisition unit 101e is further provided. The search condition is a search center point SC (“center position of search target range”) of the search range of facility information. The search condition setting unit 101c predicts a passing route that the vehicle C is expected to pass based on the traveling state of the vehicle C (corresponding to an example of “movement state”), and The search center point SC is set to.

  Therefore, according to the information acquisition apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to set search conditions for the server apparatus 200 for the purpose of reducing duplication of data between different search results. That is, it can contribute to the efficiency improvement of communication.

  Further, the search condition setting unit 101c is based on the density of facility information included in the search result searched from the facility information 103d (corresponding to an example of “already acquired point information”) with the current position CP as the search center point SC. Then, the search range is derived, and the search center point SC is set on the passage route after correcting the separation distance of the search center point SC from the current position CP based on the size of the search range.

  Therefore, according to the information acquisition apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, by setting the search condition including the search center point SC set with an optimum separation distance on the predicted route through which the vehicle C will pass, It is possible to reduce data duplication between search results caused by setting the current position CP as the search center point SC. That is, it can contribute to the efficiency improvement of communication.

  The information acquisition system 1 according to the present embodiment is connected to the information acquisition device 10 and the information acquisition device 10 via a network, and extracts the facility information corresponding to the facility information search request from the search result acquisition unit 101e. And a database server (corresponding to an example of “information providing apparatus”) of the content provider 300 that provides facility information extracted as a search result.

  Therefore, according to the information acquisition system 1 according to the present embodiment, communication can be made efficient.

(Other embodiments)
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the update timing is changed according to the movement factor of the central point of the map data displayed on the display unit 112 has been described. However, for example, the update is performed according to the vehicle speed of the vehicle C, for example. The timing may be different.

  An example is shown in FIG. 7A. FIG. 7A is a process explanatory diagram of an update timing determination process according to another embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, in such a case, the update timing determination unit 101b performs different update timing determinations according to the vehicle speed of the vehicle C. For example, a case where the vehicle speed is simply separated from the low-speed traveling and the high-speed traveling on the basis of the predetermined speed is taken as an example.

  In such a case, as shown in FIG. 7A, the update timing determination unit 101b updates, for example, at the time of high-speed traveling with “vehicle speed> predetermined speed” rather than at low speed with “vehicle speed ≦ predetermined speed” The update timing may be determined so that the timing cycle becomes large.

  That is, in the same distance section, the time for passing through the distance section is shorter when traveling at high speed than when traveling at low speed. In other words, of course, the moving distance is larger when traveling at high speed than when traveling at low speed.

  Therefore, if the update timing is determined for each predetermined distance, the number of communications per unit time increases during high-speed travel compared to during low-speed travel. For this reason, the number of times of communication per unit time can be reduced by making the update timing cycle larger during high-speed traveling than during low-speed traveling, which can contribute to efficient communication.

  Here, the low speed and the high speed are binarized according to the predetermined speed, but the timing period may change linearly according to the vehicle speed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, for example, the search condition may be varied according to the vehicle speed of the vehicle C. FIG. 7B is a process explanatory diagram of search condition setting processing according to another embodiment.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7B, the search condition setting unit 101c may set the search conditions so that the search range is smaller when traveling at high speed than when traveling at low speed. For example, when the vehicle C is traveling on a highway at high speed, the vehicle C may be displayed in a recognizable manner such as a convenience store or a gas station in the service area of the highway. It is also considered that it is not always necessary to display the facility of No. 1 because it is not possible to go down to the facility immediately after going down the expressway.

  Therefore, based on this concept, for example, the search range may be reduced to such an extent that at least the highway area is included, and information on facilities that can be used during highway driving may be acquired in a limited manner. Thereby, the communication load concerning the acquisition of the information regarding the facility which cannot be used practically while using the expressway can be reduced, which can contribute to the efficiency of communication.

  In each embodiment described above, the in-vehicle device 100 and the server device 200 constitute the information acquisition device 10. However, the in-vehicle device 100 includes the function of the server device 200, and the information acquisition is performed only by the in-vehicle device 100. The apparatus 10 may be configured.

  In each embodiment described above, the server apparatus 200 has the cache DB 203a. However, the in-vehicle apparatus 100 also has the cache DB, and the search destination of the search request may be the in-vehicle apparatus 100 itself. A possible configuration may be adopted. Thereby, the frequency | count and communication load of the server apparatus 200 and the content provider 300 can be reduced, and it can contribute to efficiency improvement of communication.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the facility information related to the surrounding facility at the current position CP is taken as an example of the point information, and the case of acquiring this is given as an example. It may be construction information.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the database server of the content provider 300 is accessed has been described as an example. However, any information providing apparatus that exists outside the information acquisition apparatus 10 may be used, and the present invention is not limited to such an example.

  Moreover, in each embodiment mentioned above, although the vehicle-mounted apparatus 100 provided with the navigation function was mentioned as an example, PND (Portable Navigation Device) etc. which a person can carry may be used. Therefore, the current position CP indicates not only the vehicle C but also a moving body such as a pedestrian.

  Further effects and modifications can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. Thus, the broader aspects of the present invention are not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information acquisition system 10 Information acquisition apparatus 100 Car-mounted apparatus 101a Display control part 101b Update timing determination part 101c Search condition setting part 101e Search result acquisition part 112 Display part 200 Server apparatus 201a Cache availability determination part 201b Search execution part 201d Update part 203a Cache DB
300 Content provider 301 Facility information DB
C Vehicle CP Current position G Destination N Network SC Search center

Claims (10)

An acquisition unit that acquires one or more pieces of point information in the map data each time a predetermined timing arrives;
A display control unit that displays the map data in a scrollable manner with respect to the display area of the display unit, and displays the point information on the map data each time the point information is acquired by the acquisition unit;
A determination unit for determining the arrival of the timing,
The determination unit
The information acquisition device according to claim 1, wherein the timing is varied according to a movement factor of a central point of the map data with respect to the display area. The determination unit
Each time the current position of the moving object corresponding to the center point of the map data moves by a predetermined first distance, or every time the center point of the map data moves by a predetermined second distance by scroll operation, The information acquisition apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the point information. The information acquisition apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first distance is smaller than the second distance. A setting unit for setting a search condition for the point information to be acquired by the acquisition unit;
The search condition is:
Including the center position of the search target range of the point information,
The setting unit
The information acquisition device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a passing route expected to pass by the moving body is predicted based on a moving state of the moving body, and the center position is set on the passing route. . The setting unit
Deriving the search target range based on the density of the point information included in the search result searched from the already acquired point information with the current position as the central position, and based on the size of the search target range The information acquisition apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the center position is set on the passage route after correcting the separation distance of the center position from the current position. The determination unit
The information acquisition apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the timing is varied according to a moving speed of the moving body. The setting unit
The information acquisition apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a size of the search target range is changed according to a moving speed of the moving body. The information acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
An information providing device that is connected to the information acquisition device through a network, extracts the point information corresponding to a search request for the point information from the acquisition unit, and provides the extracted point information as a search result. An information acquisition system characterized by An acquisition step of acquiring one or more pieces of point information in map data each time a predetermined timing arrives;
A display control step of displaying the map data in a scrollable manner with respect to the display area of the display unit, and displaying the point information on the map data each time the point information is acquired by the acquisition step;
A determination step of determining the arrival of the timing,
The determination step includes
The information acquisition method, wherein the timing is varied according to a movement factor of a central point of the map data with respect to the display area. An acquisition step of acquiring one or more pieces of point information in the map data each time a predetermined timing arrives;
A display control step of displaying the map data on the display area of the display unit in a scrollable manner and displaying the spot information on the map data each time the spot information is acquired by the acquiring step;
Causing the computer to execute a determination step of determining the arrival of the timing;
The determination step includes
The information acquisition program characterized by changing the timing according to a movement factor of a central point of the map data with respect to the display area.

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