JP4778411B2 - Traffic information distribution method and traffic information distribution device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a traffic information distribution method and traffic information distribution equipment for distributing the traffic information relating to road traffic conditions to the vehicle-mounted terminal device such as a car navigation system.

  In recent years, car navigation devices have been installed in many vehicles. The car navigation device stores road map information and traffic information related to traffic conditions such as traffic congestion and link travel time on each road in a storage device, and is set by a user based on the stored map information and traffic information. The shortest route to the ground is searched, and information such as the searched shortest route is displayed on the display device. Hereinafter, in this specification, an intersection is referred to as a “node”, a road segmented by the node is referred to as a “road link” or simply “link”, and the average travel time by the vehicle of the link is referred to as “link travel”. "Time".

  Normally, the map information and traffic information stored in the car navigation device are provided by the dealer when the user purchases the vehicle or the car navigation device. On the other hand, new roads are being built every day, and improvements such as widening have been added, so it can be said that the actual conditions of road maps change frequently. Therefore, a vehicle or car navigation system dealer provides a service for updating the latest map information, traffic information, etc. periodically at the dealer or service center, for example, once every six months or once a year. Yes.

  In recent years, car navigation devices that can be connected to the Internet via a communication line such as a mobile phone have been put into practical use. In such a car navigation apparatus, update information such as map information and traffic information distributed from an information distribution center connected to the Internet or the like can be received. However, if the information of all areas in the country is distributed at a time, whether it is map information or traffic information, the amount of distribution information becomes enormous, which increases the communication time and communication cost.

Therefore, in order to reduce the amount of distribution information, the area covered by the map information and traffic information to be distributed is limited to the surrounding area where the vehicle is traveling (for example, Patent Document 1), It has been conventionally performed to distribute only information (difference information) that has changed with respect to the map information and traffic information that the navigation device has at that time (for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2003-42771 A JP 2006-84257 A

  Although the amount of map information and traffic information to be distributed can be reduced as described above, actually, the distribution of update information of map information is performed as in the example disclosed in Patent Document 1. However, the corresponding traffic information is not distributed. Not only the example disclosed in this patent document 1, but one of the reasons that the update information of the traffic information corresponding to the update of the map information is not distributed is, for example, on a road where there is no opening even if a new road is opened This is because actual values such as traffic information and link travel time on the road are often not obtained. Therefore, in such a case, the shortest route searched by the car navigation device may not necessarily be the shortest route. This means that the attractiveness of the route guidance in the car navigation device is diminished for the user.

  Further, Patent Document 2 discloses an example of differential distribution of traffic information, but the traffic information targeted for distribution there is current traffic information, and the car navigation device searches for the shortest route. It is not for traffic information. In the case of this example, the search for the shortest route or the like is performed on the information distribution center side. In general, in order to perform the shortest route search, the current traffic information as well as the current traffic information is obtained by statistics for each day type (for example, holidays, weekdays, fifty days, etc.) and for each time zone. Statistical traffic information is needed. The traffic information provided by a vehicle or a car navigation device dealer includes this statistical traffic information.

  In the case of current traffic information, there is only one value of traffic information (for example, link travel time) for one road link, but in the case of statistical traffic information, The value of the traffic information exists for one road link by (number of day types) × (number of time zones). Therefore, the amount of information of statistical traffic information is much larger than the current traffic information. Therefore, distribution of statistical traffic information to a car navigation device or the like is practically not performed depending on a communication line of a mobile phone.

  As described above, in view of the conventional technology, when the map information is updated, how to update the statistical traffic information according to the update and how to use the statistical traffic information Thus, it can be seen that there is a problem of whether to reduce more than the difference distribution. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a traffic information distribution method, a traffic information distribution device, and an in-vehicle device that can greatly reduce the amount of updated statistical traffic information that is updated in accordance with the update of map information. It is to provide a terminal device.

In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, (1) the value of statistical traffic information is obtained by updating (adding, dividing, changing, deleting, etc.) the road link for the road link updated in the map information. (2) The road links that are predicted to be affected (link travel time, etc.) are extracted as update-influenced road links. (2) For the extracted update-influenced road links, the results obtained after changing the map information of the road links Whether the error of the statistical traffic information value with respect to the average value of the traffic information is larger than a predetermined value is evaluated for each day type and every time zone, and (3) the error is evaluated to be larger than the predetermined value. For a road link, day type, and time zone, the statistical traffic information values for that road link, day type, and time zone are set to the actual values for the same road link, day type, and time zone. By updating the average value of the traffic information, and generates the update statistical traffic information, and the (4) to distribute this way the generated update statistical traffic information to the vehicle terminal.
In the step (1), the road link is within a predetermined range including the road link for which the map information is to be updated, and the road link has a predetermined number or less of other road links. A road link connected to the road link, or a road link whose direction with respect to the direction of the road link to be updated is smaller than a predetermined angle is extracted as an update-influenced road link.

  As described above, according to the present invention, firstly, the updated statistical traffic information is statistically calculated for the road link (update-affected road link) predicted to be affected by the update of the road link in the map information. Limited to traffic information. As a result, the number of road links for which statistical traffic information is updated is limited to at most several tens of road links in the vicinity of the road links updated with map information. Can do.

  Secondly, the statistical traffic information of the update-affected road link is updated only when the statistical traffic information of the day type and time zone has a large error with respect to the actual traffic information. That is, since it is not necessary to update statistical traffic information at night or early morning, which is less affected by the addition of road links, the amount of updated statistical traffic information can be further reduced.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the map information is updated, the information amount of the updated statistical traffic information that is updated according to the update can be greatly reduced, and as a result, the updated statistical traffic information can be distributed. It is possible to reduce the communication time and cost required.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<Overall configuration>
First, an outline of the overall configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a block configuration of a traffic information distribution device and an in-vehicle terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a traffic information distribution apparatus 10 is connected to a map center 30 and a traffic information center 40 via a communication network (not shown) including the Internet and a public telephone line network, and is also a mobile phone. The terminal is connected to an in-vehicle terminal device 50 such as a car navigation device mounted on the vehicle via a wireless communication line (not shown) such as.

  Here, the map center 30 updates the map information when a road or the like is newly established or repaired, and distributes the updated latest map information to the traffic information distribution device 10 as appropriate. In addition, the traffic information center 40 collects information obtained from road sensors installed on the road, probe cars traveling on the road, and the like, processes the collected information in real time, and provides traffic information (links) of the current road. As travel time, traffic jam length, etc.), the information is distributed to the traffic information distribution device 10 every predetermined time.

  Next, referring to FIG. 1, an outline of the functions of the blocks constituting the traffic information distribution device 10 and the in-vehicle terminal device 50 will be described. Note that further detailed functions or processing contents of these blocks will be described with reference to FIG.

(Block configuration and functional overview of the traffic information distribution device 10)
The traffic information distribution device 10 includes a latest map information receiving unit 11, a difference map information generating unit 12, a map information updating unit 13, an update influence road link extracting unit 14, a statistical traffic information error evaluating unit 15, and an updated statistical traffic information generating unit 16. Processing function blocks such as a distribution request information receiving unit 17, an updated map / traffic information distribution unit 18, a current traffic information receiving unit 19, a map information storage unit 21, a statistical traffic information storage unit 22, a day type calendar storage unit 23, It includes storage function blocks such as an actual traffic information storage unit 24, a difference map information storage unit 25, an update-affected road link storage unit 26, an update instruction information storage unit 27, and an updated statistical traffic information storage unit 28.

  Here, the traffic information distribution device 10 includes an arithmetic processing device (not shown) (hereinafter referred to as “arithmetic processing device C” to distinguish it from the arithmetic processing device of the vehicle-mounted terminal device 50 described later), a semiconductor memory, a hard disk device, and the like. And a storage device (not shown). The functions of the processing function blocks 11 to 19 are realized by the arithmetic processing device C executing a predetermined program stored in the storage device. The functions of the storage function blocks 21 to 28 are realized by the arithmetic processing device C storing predetermined information in the storage device or reading predetermined information from the storage device.

  In FIG. 1, the latest map information receiving unit 11 receives the latest map information distributed from the map center 30 as appropriate. The difference map information generation unit 12 compares the latest map information received by the latest map information reception unit 11 with the map information stored in the map information storage unit 21, generates difference map information as the difference information, The generated difference map information is stored in the difference map information storage unit 25. Further, the map information update unit 13 stores the difference map information in the difference map information storage unit 25 after the difference map information generation unit 12 stores the difference map information in accordance with the latest map information received by the latest map information reception unit 11. Updates the map information stored in.

  On the other hand, the current traffic information receiving unit 19 receives the current traffic information distributed from the traffic information center 40 every predetermined time, and sequentially stores the received current traffic information in the actual traffic information storage unit 24. Further, the statistical traffic information generation unit (not shown), based on the daily calendar stored in the daily calendar storage unit 23, displays the current traffic information accumulated in the actual traffic information storage unit 24 for each day type and each time zone. Statistical processing is performed, and statistical traffic information obtained by the statistical processing is stored in the statistical traffic information storage unit 22.

  The map information update unit 13 may update the map information in the map information storage unit 21 every time the latest map information receiving unit 11 receives the latest map information. For example, a statistical traffic information generating unit (not shown) may be used. However, the statistical traffic information stored in the statistical traffic information storage unit 22 may be updated synchronously.

  Next, the update-affected road link extraction unit 14 refers to the difference map information storage unit 25 and reads information on road links updated in the map information (hereinafter referred to as update road links). The updated road link is updated (newly created, deleted, split, changed, etc.), and the traffic volume (statistical traffic information such as link travel time and congestion length) is affected. Other road links predicted to be received are extracted as update-influenced road links, and the extracted update-influenced road links are stored in the update-influenced road link storage unit 26.

  As for the updated road link, the statistical traffic information does not exist before or will naturally change. Therefore, the update-affected road link extraction unit 14 instructs to update the statistical traffic information. The updated road link information is stored in the update instruction information storage unit 27.

  The statistical traffic information error evaluation unit 15 uses the statistical traffic information (link travel time) stored in the statistical traffic information storage unit 22 for the update affected road link extracted by the update affected road link extraction unit 14 for the road link. The traffic length is evaluated by comparing the value of the actual traffic information stored in the actual traffic information storage unit 24 after the updated road link is actually updated.

  That is, the statistical traffic information error evaluation unit 15 obtains the results obtained after the update road link is updated for each day type and for each time zone for the update influence road link extracted by the update influence road link extraction unit 14. The error of the value of the statistical traffic information stored in the statistical traffic information storage unit 22 is obtained with the average value of the traffic information as a true value. For the update-affected road link whose error is larger than a predetermined value, the road link information and the date type and time zone information are updated as instruction information for instructing to update the statistical traffic information. The information is stored in the information storage unit 27.

  The updated statistical traffic information generation unit 16 reads out the instruction information instructing to update the statistical traffic information stored in the update instruction information storage unit 27, and the statistics for the road link, day type, and time zone indicated by the instruction information Update statistical traffic information for updating the value of traffic information with the average value of the actual traffic information for the same road link, day type and time zone is generated, and the updated statistical traffic information is generated. 28.

  In addition, the distribution request information receiving unit 17 receives the inquiry information related to the update of the map information and the statistical traffic information transmitted from the in-vehicle terminal device 50 and updates whether there is update information included in the inquiry information. Presence / absence information is returned to the in-vehicle terminal device 50. Subsequently, when the distribution request information receiving unit 17 receives the distribution request information transmitted from the in-vehicle terminal device 50, the updated map / traffic information distribution unit 18 is stored in the difference map information storage unit 25 according to the distribution request information. The updated statistical traffic information stored in the difference map information and the updated statistical traffic information storage unit 28 are distributed to the in-vehicle terminal device 50.

(Block configuration and function overview of in-vehicle terminal device 50)
As shown in FIG. 1, the in-vehicle terminal device 50 includes an operation input unit 51, a distribution request information setting unit 52, a distribution request information transmission unit 53, an updated map / traffic information receiving unit 54, a map / traffic information updating unit 55, a route. It includes processing function blocks such as a search unit 56 and a vehicle position detection unit 57, and storage function blocks such as a map information storage unit 61, a statistical traffic information storage unit 62, and a day / calendar storage unit 63.

  Here, the in-vehicle terminal device 50 is configured by a computer including an arithmetic processing device (not shown) (hereinafter referred to as “arithmetic processing device T”) and a storage device (not shown) made of a semiconductor memory or a hard disk device. The functions of the processing function blocks 51 to 57 are realized when the arithmetic processing unit T executes a predetermined program stored in the storage device. The functions of the storage function blocks 61 to 63 are realized by the arithmetic processing unit T storing predetermined information in the storage device or reading predetermined information from the storage device.

  In FIG. 1, an operation input unit 51 inputs information input from a switch, button, remote control device, or the like (not shown), and controls functions such as a distribution request information setting unit 52 and a route search unit 56 based on the input information. To do. The distribution request information setting unit 52 sets inquiry information and distribution request information related to the update of map information and statistical traffic information for the traffic information distribution device 10 based on the information input by the operation input unit 51.

  The distribution request information transmission unit 53 transmits inquiry information and distribution request information related to the update of map information and statistical traffic information set by the distribution request information setting unit 52 to the traffic information distribution device 10, and also the traffic information distribution device 10. The update presence / absence information transmitted from is received. The updated map / traffic information receiving unit 54 receives the difference map information and the updated statistical map information transmitted from the traffic information distribution device 10, and the map / traffic information updating unit 55 receives the received difference map information. The updated statistical map information updates the map information stored in the map information storage unit 61 and the statistical traffic information stored in the statistical traffic information storage unit 62.

  The own vehicle position detection unit 57 detects the own vehicle position (the position of the vehicle on which the in-vehicle terminal device 50 is mounted) based on information input from a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver (not shown) or the like. The route search unit 56 uses the map information storage unit 61, the statistical traffic information storage unit 62, the date of the guidance route from the vehicle position detected by the vehicle position detection unit 57 to the destination set by the operation input unit 51. A search is performed by referring to the seed calendar storage unit 63 and the like, and the searched guidance route and a map including the guidance route are displayed on a display device (not shown) such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) by the display unit 58.

<Description of detailed block functions>
Subsequently, functions or processing contents of main blocks constituting the traffic information distribution device 10 and the in-vehicle terminal device 50 will be described in detail.

(Generation of difference map information)
First, details of processing of the difference map information generation unit 12 in the traffic information distribution device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of map information stored in the map information storage unit 21 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the map information is composed of a header part made up of an update date and a data version, and a data part made up of a plurality of mesh data. Here, the data version is information for identifying an updated version of the map information. Further, the mesh refers to a map of one section when a map of Japan or the like is partitioned into a mesh of a predetermined size, and mesh data refers to information representing the map.

  In FIG. 2, each mesh data is composed of a mesh ID, link information, and node information. Here, the mesh ID is information for identifying the mesh, the link information is information related to a road (referred to as a link or a road link) divided by an intersection, and the node information is a road such as an intersection. Is information relating to what classifies links into links (referred to as nodes). Note that mesh data is information that represents a map, so in addition to link information and node information, information representing topographic maps such as coasts, mountains, and rivers and information representing positions of buildings and facilities are included. Also good.

  The link information is configured by detailed link information (link number j information (j = 1,..., N) in FIG. 2) of all the links included in the mesh. The detailed link information is a sequence of road type (classification of national road, prefectural road, etc.), link ID, link length, start point node number, end point node number, start point node coordinates, end point node coordinates, number of interpolation points, interpolation point coordinates. It is information that consists of. Here, the start point node coordinates, end point node coordinates, and interpolation point coordinates are information indicating the absolute position on the map represented by latitude and longitude. Further, a curve or a bent link can be represented by a column of interpolation point coordinates.

  The node information is constituted by detailed node information (node number j information (j = 1,..., M) in FIG. 2) of all the nodes included in the mesh. The detailed node information is information including node coordinates, the number of connection links, a column of connection link numbers, and the like.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the difference map information stored in the difference map information storage unit 25 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the difference map information is composed of a plurality of mesh data. Each mesh data is composed of a mesh ID and one or more update information. Further, the one update information includes a data version, a change date, difference information, changed link information, and changed node information. Composed. Here, the data version is information for identifying change information.

  In FIG. 3, the difference information is composed of a plurality of change IDs, and one change ID includes a link number before change, an update type, a link number 1 after change, a link number 2 after change, an additional link number, and a division. It consists of location information. As can be seen from the configuration of this information, one change ID is provided so as to correspond to the link that is the target of the road change, and the link number before change is information that identifies the link that is the target of the change. It is. The update type is information representing the type of road change mode described next with reference to FIG.

  Further, in FIG. 3, the changed link information and the changed node information are information related to the link and the node changed by the change of the road indicated by the change ID included in the difference information, and the detailed configuration information is This is the same as the detailed link information and detailed node information described in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a type of road change mode according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, four types of addition, division, change, and deletion can be assumed as the road change mode.

  Here, FIG. 4A shows an example of road addition and division. The link L1 is divided into a link L11 and a link L12, and a new link L13 is added from the divided position. . In this case, the division point is added as a new node. FIG. 4B shows an example of road change. In this case, the node information is not changed, but the interpolation point coordinates in the link information are changed. FIG. 4C shows an example of road deletion. In this example, the link L5 is deleted. In this case, the node at the branch point of the link L5 remains, but the node may be deleted. At that time, the link L3 and the link L4 are integrated into one link.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow of difference map information generation processing in the difference map information generation unit 12 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, when the arithmetic processing unit C of the traffic information distribution device 10 receives the latest map information distributed from the map center 30 (step S11), it is stored in the latest map information and map information storage unit 21. Generation of difference map information between the current map information and the current map information is started.

  Here, since the latest map information and the map information stored in the map information storage unit 21 are both divided as mesh data for each mesh as shown in FIG. The mesh data of is repeated for the number of mesh data and compared. In FIG. 5, the repetition process is represented as a mesh loop (step S12 and step S16). In other words, the mesh loop represents that the arithmetic processing unit C repeatedly executes the process sandwiched between the two loops by the number of meshes. The meaning of the same loop is the same in the following drawings.

  Therefore, the arithmetic processing unit C executes a mesh loop (steps S12 to S16) following step S11 (step S12). That is, the arithmetic processing unit C compares the latest map information (mesh data) of the mesh with the map information (mesh data) stored in the map information storage unit 21 (step S13). When the link information of the latest map information is changed (Yes in step S14), difference map information of the mesh is generated based on the changed link information (step S15). When the link information of the latest map information has not been changed (No in step S14), the difference map information generation process (step S15) is skipped.

  In addition, in the difference map information generation process (step S15), a change ID (see FIG. 3) is created for each link information that has been changed. The changed link information and the changed node information are respectively created. Further, one update information is created corresponding to the latest map information received at this time, and the data version attached to the latest map information is copied as the data version.

(Extraction of update-affected road links)
When difference map information is generated as described above, an update-affected road link is extracted next. Hereinafter, the details of the processing of the update-influenced road link extraction unit 14 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the update-influenced road link information stored in the update-influenced road link storage unit 26 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the update-influenced road link information is composed of a plurality of mesh data, and each mesh data includes link information related to one or more update-influenced road links (in FIG. 6, link number 1, link number). 2). The link information related to the update-influenced road link includes a link ID, an update type, a data version, an update date, and an evaluated flag for each day type. Here, the update type is information indicating the type of the road change mode shown in FIG. 4, and the evaluated flag for each day type is a flag used in the statistical traffic information error evaluation process to be executed next. It is.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the update instruction information stored in the update instruction information storage unit 27 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the update instruction information is composed of a plurality of mesh data, and each mesh data includes link information (addition / deletion link information, change / divided link information, Concurrent / connected link information). Further, the link information for each update type is composed of one or more pieces of link information (indicated as link number 1, link number 2,... In FIG. 7).

  In FIG. 7, the configuration of each link information differs depending on the update type, but in any case, the link information has a link ID, an update type, a data version, and an update date as its basic configuration. That is, when the update type is an add / delete link, the link information is composed only of the basic configuration, but when the update type is a change / split link, the link ID before change / split is set in the basic configuration. It becomes an added configuration. In the case of a parallel / connection link, the basic configuration is configured by adding time zone information and date type information that require updating.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of processing for registering update instruction information and extracting update-influenced road links in the update-influenced road link extracting unit 14 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the arithmetic processing unit C of the traffic information distribution apparatus 10 reads the difference map information stored in the difference map information storage unit 25 into the memory (step S21). Here, “reading” means reading out information written in a disk device or the like and storing it in a high-speed semiconductor memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory). Use.

  Next, the arithmetic processing unit C repeatedly executes a mesh loop (steps S22 to S31) for each mesh data of the difference map information (see FIG. 3).

  The arithmetic processing unit C refers to the update information of the mesh data in the difference map information (see FIG. 3) in the mesh loop, and determines whether there is the latest update information based on the data version or the update date / time. When there is the latest update information (Yes in step S23), the processing unit C repeatedly executes the change ID loop (steps S24 to S30) for each change ID of the difference map information. If there is no latest update information (No in step S23), the process of the change ID loop is skipped.

  Next, the processor C determines whether or not the update ID update type is addition or deletion in the change ID loop (step S25), and when the update type is addition or deletion (step S25). (Yes in S25), the addition / deletion link information is registered in the update instruction information storage unit 27 (step S26), and update influence road link extraction processing is executed (step S27: details of the update influence road link extraction processing are shown in FIG. 9). If the update type of the change ID is not addition or deletion (No in step S25) and is change or division (Yes in step S28), the change / division link information is registered in the update instruction information storage unit 27 ( Step S29). If the update type is neither change nor division (No in step S28), the process in step S29 is skipped.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed processing flow of the update-affected road link extraction processing (step S27) in FIG. The arithmetic processing unit C takes out the link ID of the addition / deletion link information registered in step S26 (see FIG. 8), and forms a reference vector based on the start point and end point of the addition or deletion link corresponding to the link ID (step S41). ).

  Next, the arithmetic processing unit C refers to the map information storage unit 21 and sets the reference vector and the reference vector for all the links included in the 3 × 3 = 9 mesh whose center mesh is the mesh including the added or deleted link. Is calculated (step S42). Then, a link whose absolute value | θ | of the vector angle is smaller than a predetermined value (for example, | θ | <45 degrees) and whose road type is equal to or more than the road type of the added or deleted link is selected. Extracted as an update-affected road link (step S43). Further, the arithmetic processing unit C extracts links that are connected as links within a predetermined order (for example, within the fifth order) on the upstream side and the downstream side of the added or deleted links, respectively, as update-affected road links (step S44). . Here, the degree refers to the number of links through which the link includes itself before connecting to the added or deleted link. Next, the arithmetic processing unit C registers the update influence road link extracted as described above in the update influence road link storage unit 26 (step S45).

(Error evaluation of statistical traffic information and generation of updated statistical traffic information)
Next, details of the processes of the statistical traffic information error evaluation unit 15 and the updated statistical traffic information generation unit 16 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of current traffic information received by the current traffic information receiving unit 19 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the current traffic information is composed of a plurality of mesh data, and each mesh data is composed of a plurality of link information. Each link information includes a link ID, a link length, representative traffic jam information, a link travel time, a plurality of section information, and the like. Each section information is composed of a congestion degree, a head position, a section length, and the like. The representative traffic situation is information obtained by integrating or summarizing the traffic information of the section information.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of statistical traffic information stored in the statistical traffic information storage unit 22 according to the present embodiment. The statistical traffic information is information subjected to statistical processing for each day type and each time zone after the current traffic information received by the current traffic information receiving unit 19 is accumulated in the actual traffic information storage unit 24. Further, the traffic jam situation is represented by a number indicating the degree or the traffic jam length.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the statistical traffic information is composed of a plurality of mesh data for each day type (represented by day type 1, day type 2,..., Day type M). It consists of link information. Each link information is composed of a link ID and statistical data for each time period of the day, and the statistical data of each time period is composed of a link travel time and a traffic jam situation.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the updated statistical traffic information stored in the updated statistical traffic information storage unit 28 according to the present embodiment. The updated statistical traffic information is difference information of statistical traffic information that is transmitted to the in-vehicle terminal device 50 and updates the statistical traffic information held by the in-vehicle terminal device 50.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the updated statistical traffic information is composed of a plurality of mesh data, and each mesh data is composed of a plurality of link information. Each link data includes a link ID, a link length, a data version, an update date, a creation date, and a data part for each day type. Here, the data version is version information when the link information is created, and the creation date is the date when the statistical data is created. The update date is an update date when the link is updated in the map information.

  In FIG. 12, the data part for each day type is composed of a population parameter, time zone information, and statistical data for each of a plurality of time zones, and each statistical data is composed of link travel time and traffic jam information. Here, the parameter is the number of days of actual traffic information used for calculating statistical traffic data. In general, the larger the parameter, the more reliable the statistical data. The time zone information is information that limits a time zone in which subsequent statistical data exists. For example, when the time zone information is 7:00 to 20:30, the statistical data exists only for the time zone in that range.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a flow of statistical traffic information error evaluation processing in the statistical traffic information error evaluation unit 15 according to the present embodiment. When this statistical traffic information error evaluation process is started, the update affected road link extracted by the process of the update affected road link extracting unit 14 is registered in the update affected road link storage unit 26. Therefore, the arithmetic processing unit C of the traffic information distribution device 10 first reads the update-influenced road link from the update-influenced road link storage unit 26 (step S51), and then reads the day-type calendar from the day-type calendar storage unit 23 ( Step S52).

  Subsequently, the arithmetic processing unit C executes a mesh loop (steps S53 to S63) for the mesh data and link information of the read update-affected road link information (see FIG. 6), and in the mesh loop, A link information loop (steps S54 to S62) for processing link information is executed.

  Therefore, as processing of the link information loop, the arithmetic processing unit C first determines whether or not there is an unevaluated date type in the evaluated flag of the link information in the update affected road link information (step S55). As a result of the determination, when there is an unevaluated date type (Yes in Step S55), the arithmetic processing unit C further adds the actual traffic information stored in the actual traffic information storage means to the evaluation date after the update date. It is determined whether or not there is actual traffic information belonging to the implementation day type (step S56).

  As a result of the determination, when there is actual traffic information belonging to the non-evaluated day type after the update date (Yes in step S56), the arithmetic processing unit C reads the actual traffic information satisfying the determination (step S57). Then, the statistical traffic information of the corresponding day type is read (step S58). At this time, when there are a plurality of actual traffic information satisfying the determination in step S56, the average is taken as actual traffic information.

  Next, the arithmetic processing unit C calculates an error in the value of the statistical traffic information with the actual traffic information value (or average value) as a true value for each time zone (step S59), and the error is a predetermined value. When the value is equal to or greater than the value, the time zone information is registered in the update instruction information storage unit 27 (step S60). Then, the registered day type evaluated flag is set to evaluated (step S61).

  On the other hand, when there is no evaluation unimplemented date type in the evaluated flag (No in step S55), or when there is no actual traffic information belonging to the evaluation unimplemented date after the update date (step S55). No in S56), the process of step S57 to step S61 is skipped.

  When the statistical traffic information error evaluation process is completed as described above, the arithmetic processing unit C next executes an updated statistical information generation process. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a flow of update statistical information generation processing in the update statistical traffic information generation unit 16 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, the arithmetic processing unit C first reads the update instruction information from the update instruction information storage unit 27 (step S71), and reads the day type calendar from the day type calendar storage unit 23 (step S72).

  Subsequently, the arithmetic processing unit C executes a mesh loop (steps S73 to S85) for the mesh data and link information of the read update instruction information (see FIG. 7), and further, in the mesh loop, the link information The link information loop (step S74 to step S84) for processing is executed.

  Therefore, the arithmetic processing unit C first determines whether or not the update type of the link information is deletion as processing of the link information loop (step S75). As a result of the determination, if the update type is not deletion (No in step S75), the actual traffic information after the update date is read from the actual traffic information storage unit 24 (step S76). Then, the arithmetic processing unit C refers to the day type calendar and classifies the actual traffic information for each day type (step S77).

  Next, the arithmetic processing unit C determines whether or not there is actual traffic information for each day type (step S78). When there is actual traffic information (Yes in step S78), an update type is added. Then, it is determined whether the data is divided or changed (step S79). As a result of the determination, when the update type is not addition, division, or change (No in step S79), the link is a parallel or connection link, so the time zone information of the link information of the parallel / connection link information Is calculated based on the classified actual traffic information (when there are a plurality of actual traffic information, the average value is taken), and the statistical data of the relevant day type and time zone is obtained. Is created (step S80), and the created statistical data is stored in the data section of the link information in the updated statistical traffic information storage section 28.

  When the update type is addition, division, or change (Yes in step S79), the arithmetic processing unit C takes an average value based on the classified actual traffic information (when there are a plurality of actual traffic information). ), Statistical data for all time periods is created for each day type (step S81), and the created statistical data is stored in the link information data section of the updated statistical traffic information storage section 28.

  When there is no actual traffic information in step S78 (No in step S78), the arithmetic processing unit C performs spatial interpolation processing (step S82), and the statistical traffic information of the link is obtained from the statistical traffic information of the link. Guess from. The detailed processing flow of the spatial interpolation processing will be described next with reference to FIG.

  In step S75, when the update type is deletion (Yes in step S75), the arithmetic processing unit C registers the link as a deletion link in the updated statistical traffic information (step S83). In the configuration of the updated statistical traffic information shown in FIG. 12, it is assumed that link information without a data part is a deleted link.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a detailed processing flow of the spatial interpolation processing in FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, in the spatial interpolation process, the arithmetic processing unit C first determines whether or not there is significant statistical traffic information in the downstream connection link of the link (step S91). If there is significant statistical traffic information as a result of the determination (Yes in step S91), the statistical traffic information of the link is interpolated with the traffic information value of the downstream link (step S92).

  When there is no significant statistical traffic information in the downstream connection link of the link (No in step S91), the arithmetic processing unit C further determines whether there is significant statistical traffic information in the upstream connection link. (Step S93). If there is significant statistical traffic information as a result of the determination (Yes in step S93), the statistical traffic information of the link is interpolated with the traffic information value of the upstream link (step S94).

  When there is no significant statistical traffic information in the upstream connection link of the link (No in step S93), the arithmetic processing unit C further determines whether there is significant statistical traffic information in the link parallel to the link. Is determined (step S95). As a result of the determination, when there is significant statistical traffic information in the parallel link (Yes in step S95), the statistical traffic information of the link is interpolated with the traffic information value of the parallel link (step S96).

  Further, when there is no significant statistical traffic information in the parallel link of the link (No in step S95), the arithmetic processing unit C uses the statistical traffic information of the other links in the mesh including the link to determine the link. Are interpolated (step S97). In this case, as the interpolation value, an average value of statistical traffic information values of other links is used.

  As described above, the arithmetic processing unit C obtains the interpolated value of the statistical traffic information for each day type and every time zone, and stores the obtained interpolated value in the data portion (see FIG. 12) of the updated statistical traffic information.

(Distribution of updated statistical traffic information)
The processing until the updated statistical traffic information is generated in the updated statistical traffic information storage unit 28 of the traffic information distribution device 10 has been described above with reference to FIGS. Subsequently, a process in which the traffic information distribution device 10 distributes the updated statistical traffic information to the in-vehicle terminal device 50 and updates the statistical traffic information in the in-vehicle terminal device 50 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of map information stored in the map information storage unit 61 of the in-vehicle terminal device 50 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16, the configuration of the map information stored in the map information storage unit 61 of the in-vehicle terminal device 50 is the configuration of the map information stored in the map information storage unit 21 of the traffic information distribution device 10 (see FIG. 2). ), But there are some differences.

  For example, in the case of the map information of the traffic information distribution device 10, the data version is attached to the entire map information, but in the case of the map information of the in-vehicle terminal device 50, the data version is attached to each mesh data. By doing in this way, map information can be updated for every mesh. Therefore, the in-vehicle terminal device 50 can receive the distribution of the updated map information limited to the map in which the vehicle travels or its neighboring area, and can reduce the communication time and communication cost related to the distribution. The added link or node is added to the original link information or node information as additional link information or additional node information.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of statistical traffic information stored in the statistical traffic information storage unit 62 of the in-vehicle terminal device 50 according to the present embodiment. The configuration of the statistical traffic information stored in the statistical traffic information storage unit 62 of the in-vehicle terminal device 50 is almost the same as the statistical traffic information (see FIG. 11) stored in the statistical traffic information storage unit 22 of the traffic information distribution device 10. There are some differences.

  For example, in the case of statistical traffic information of the in-vehicle terminal device 50, a statistical data update date and a corresponding map data version are attached to each mesh data. Thereby, it becomes possible to update the statistical traffic information for each mesh, and it is possible to reduce the communication time and communication cost related to the distribution of the updated statistical traffic information. In addition, an update presence / absence flag and reliability are attached to the statistical data, and when statistical data (link travel time and traffic congestion) is updated, the reliability of the statistical data can be expressed. The reliability of the statistical data is information determined by a parameter included in the statistical data of the updated statistical information distributed from the traffic information distribution device 10.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of (a) a delivery mode setting screen and (b) a download confirmation screen in the in-vehicle terminal device 50 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 18A, the in-vehicle terminal device 50 sets a distribution mode for requesting distribution of map information or updated statistical traffic information to the traffic information distribution device 10 (inquiry setting to the distribution center). First, in the distribution request information column, information for which distribution is requested is selected. That is, if the button for the latest map information is turned on, distribution of the latest map information is requested, and if the button for the latest statistical traffic information is turned on, distribution of the latest statistical traffic information is requested. Both buttons may be turned on.

  Further, in the search range column, the latest map information or the latest statistical traffic information range for which the traffic information distribution device 10 is requested to be distributed, that is, the latest map information or the latest statistical traffic information mesh data for which the distribution is requested is selected. Set the information. Here, the range is set according to the distance from the vehicle position.

  In the automatic inquiry column, the in-vehicle terminal device 50 sets a timing for requesting the traffic information distribution device 10 to distribute information. That is, when the button at the time of activation is turned on, the in-vehicle terminal device 50 transmits inquiry information for requesting distribution to the traffic information distribution device 10 when activated by turning on the power, etc. When the search button is turned on, the in-vehicle terminal device 50 transmits the inquiry information to the traffic information distribution device 10 when the route search unit 56 searches for the guidance route.

  Further, when the “setting button” is pressed after setting the above information, the set information is stored as distribution mode setting information in a predetermined area of the storage device of the in-vehicle terminal device 50. When “Center inquiry” is pressed, inquiry information is immediately transmitted to the traffic information distribution apparatus 10 based on the information set at that time. When the “return” button is pressed, all the information set at that time is canceled.

  In FIG. 18 and thereafter, the traffic information distribution device 10 is often referred to as “distribution center” or simply “center”, and the in-vehicle terminal device 50 is simply referred to as “terminal”.

  After the distribution mode is set on the display screen of FIG. 18A, when the in-vehicle terminal device 50 transmits inquiry information to the traffic information distribution device 10, update presence / absence information is returned from the traffic information distribution device 10 as a response to the inquiry information. Sent. Therefore, when the update information includes map information or statistical traffic information that includes “update information”, the in-vehicle terminal device 50 displays a display screen as shown in FIG. On the other hand, confirmation of distribution (downloading) of map information or statistical traffic information is requested. Therefore, when the user presses the “download” button, distribution of map information or statistical traffic information is started. When the user presses the “Cancel” button, the distribution instruction for map information or statistical traffic information is canceled.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of distribution mode setting information stored in the storage device of the in-vehicle terminal device 50 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 19, the delivery mode setting information includes a delivery information request flag, a search range, and an inquiry timing flag. Here, the distribution information request flag includes a map information request flag and a statistical traffic information request flag. The inquiry timing flag is composed of a startup flag and a route search flag. Each of these distribution mode setting information is set according to the setting contents of the distribution request information, search range, and automatic inquiry setting fields on the distribution mode setting screen of FIG.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a format of communication information when the in-vehicle terminal device 50 inquires the traffic information distribution device 10 about the presence / absence of distribution information in the present embodiment, and (a) illustrates the in-vehicle terminal device. The format of inquiry information transmitted from the traffic information distribution apparatus 10 (center) to the in-vehicle terminal apparatus 50 (terminal) from the traffic information distribution apparatus 10 (center). FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 20 (a), the inquiry information transmitted from the in-vehicle terminal device 50 to the traffic information distribution device 10 includes a map information request flag, a statistical traffic information request flag, a header portion composed of the number of mesh data, and a plurality of meshes. And a data part composed of data. Each mesh data includes a mesh ID, a statistical data update date, a map data version, and the like.

  Here, the map information request flag and the statistical traffic information request flag are information obtained by copying the map information request flag and the statistical traffic information request flag of the distribution mode setting information (see FIG. 19). The statistical data update date and map data version of the mesh data are information obtained by copying the statistical data update date and map data version of the mesh data of the statistical traffic information (see FIG. 17) stored in the statistical traffic information storage unit 62. It is.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 20B, the update presence / absence information transmitted from the traffic information distribution device 10 to the in-vehicle terminal device 50 is composed of a plurality of mesh data, and each mesh data includes a mesh ID and presence / absence of update map information. It consists of a flag and an updated statistical traffic information presence / absence flag. Here, the updated map information presence / absence flag is transmitted from the in-vehicle terminal device 50 as the map data version attached to the mesh data having the same mesh ID as the mesh ID of the map information stored in the map information storage unit 21. This flag indicates that the map data version of the mesh ID included in the inquiry information is newer, and indicates that there is map information to be updated for the mesh data. The update statistical traffic information presence / absence flag indicates that the update date attached to the link information of the mesh data having the same mesh ID as the mesh ID of the update statistical traffic information stored in the update statistical traffic information storage unit 28 It is a flag indicating that it is newer than the statistical data update date included in the inquiry information transmitted from the device 50, and indicates that there is statistical traffic information to be updated for the mesh data.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a format of communication information when the in-vehicle terminal device 50 requests distribution information from the traffic information distribution device 10 in the present embodiment, and (a) illustrates the in-vehicle terminal device 50. The format of the distribution request information transmitted from the (terminal) to the traffic information distribution apparatus 10 (center), (b) is the update map information and update transmitted from the traffic information distribution apparatus 10 (center) to the in-vehicle terminal apparatus 50 (terminal). It is the figure which showed the format of statistical traffic information.

  As shown in FIG. 21 (a), the format of the distribution request information that the in-vehicle terminal device 50 transmits to the traffic information distribution device 10 is substantially the same as the format of the inquiry information shown in FIG. 20 (a). . However, the content of the distribution request information that is actually transmitted may be changed from the inquiry information depending on the content of the update presence / absence information transmitted from the traffic information distribution device 10.

  As shown in FIG. 21 (b), the updated map information and the updated statistical traffic information transmitted from the traffic information distribution device 10 to the in-vehicle terminal device 50 include a header portion including a map information update flag and a statistical traffic information update flag, and an update. And a data part composed of map information and updated statistical traffic information. Here, the map information update flag indicates that updated map information is added to the data portion, and the statistical traffic information update flag indicates that updated statistical traffic information is added to the data portion.

  Note that the mesh data of the update map information is update information of a data version that is newer than the map data version of the mesh data included in the distribution request information among the mesh data of the difference map information stored in the difference map information storage unit 25. It is constituted by. Further, the update statistical traffic information mesh data includes the update date attached to the link information of the update statistical traffic information mesh data link information stored in the update statistical traffic information storage unit 28. The link information is newer than the update date of the mesh data included in

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of the flow of the distribution request information transmission process in the in-vehicle terminal device 50 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 22, the arithmetic processing unit T of the in-vehicle terminal device 50 first reads the distribution mode setting information set on the distribution mode setting screen of FIG. 18A (step S101). Next, the arithmetic processing unit T specifies a mesh that touches a circle whose radius is the search range setting value (the value set as the search range information of the delivery mode setting information) centered on the vehicle position (step S102). . Then, the arithmetic processing device T refers to the statistical traffic information storage unit 62 and the map information storage unit 61, based on the update date of the identified statistical traffic information of the mesh and the data version of the map information (FIG. 20). (See (a)) is generated, and the generated inquiry information is transmitted to the traffic information distribution apparatus 10 (step S103).

  Next, the arithmetic processing unit T waits for a response from the center (traffic information distribution device 10) for the inquiry information (step S104), and when there is a response from the center (Yes in step S104), The update presence / absence information transmitted by the center is received (step S105). The format of the update presence / absence information is as shown in FIG.

  Next, the processor T determines whether there is update information in the mesh data of the map information and statistical traffic information with reference to the received update presence / absence information (step S106). (Yes in step S106), a download confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 18B is displayed (step S107). Then, when accepting the pressing of the download button on the download confirmation screen (Yes in step S108), the arithmetic processing unit T generates distribution request information based on the received update presence / absence information (step S109). The distribution request information thus transmitted is transmitted to the center (traffic information distribution apparatus 10) (step S110), and the distribution request information transmission process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when there is no update information in the determination in step S106 (No in step S106), the arithmetic processing unit T displays a message with no update information on the display screen (step S111), and ends the distribution request information transmission process. To do. Further, when the pressing of the download button is not accepted in step S108 (No in step S108), the distribution request information transmission process is immediately terminated.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow of inquiry information reception processing in the traffic information distribution device 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 23, when the arithmetic processing unit C of the traffic information distribution device 10 receives the inquiry information transmitted from the in-vehicle terminal device 50 (step S121), the map information request flag included in the inquiry information is 1. It is determined whether or not there is (step S122). As a result of the determination, when the map information request flag is 1 (Yes in step S122), the arithmetic processing unit C executes a mesh loop (steps S123 to S126).

  In the mesh loop, the processing unit C reads the difference map information (mesh data) of the mesh (step S124). When the data version of the difference map information (data version included in the update information: see FIG. 3) is newer than the data version included in the inquiry information, the update map information presence / absence flag of the update presence / absence information is set to 1 ( Step S125).

  When the map information request flag is not 1 as a result of the determination in step S122 (No in step S122), the arithmetic processing unit C skips the processing of the mesh loop (steps S123 to S126).

  Subsequently, the arithmetic processing unit C determines whether or not the statistical traffic information request flag included in the inquiry information is 1 (step S127). As a result of the determination, when the statistical traffic information request flag is 1 (Yes in Step S127), the arithmetic processing unit C executes a mesh loop (Steps S128 to S133).

  In the mesh loop, the processing unit C reads the updated statistical traffic information (mesh data: see FIG. 12) of the mesh (step S129), and the link information loop (steps S130 to S130) for the link information included in the mesh data. Step S132) is executed. In the link information loop, the arithmetic processing unit C sets the update statistical traffic information presence flag of the update presence / absence information to 1 when the update statistical traffic information creation date is newer than the statistical data update date included in the inquiry information. (Step S131).

  As a result of the determination in step S127, when the statistical traffic information request flag is not 1 (No in step S127), the arithmetic processing unit C skips the processing of the mesh loop (step S128 to step S133).

  Subsequently, the arithmetic processing unit C generates update presence / absence information based on the updated map information presence / absence flag and the updated statistical traffic information presence / absence flag set as described above, and transmits the generated update presence / absence information to the in-vehicle terminal device 50. (Step S134), and the inquiry information receiving process is terminated.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow of update map information / statistical traffic information generation processing in the traffic information distribution apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 24, when the processing unit C receives the distribution request information transmitted from the in-vehicle terminal device 50 (step S141), whether the map information request flag included in the distribution request information is 1 or not. Is determined (step S142). As a result of the determination, when the map information request flag is 1 (Yes in step S142), the arithmetic processing unit C executes a mesh loop (steps S143 to S146).

  In the mesh loop, the processing unit C reads difference map information (mesh data) of the mesh (step S144). And about the said mesh, difference map information newer than the data version contained in delivery request information is merged, and update map information is produced | generated (step S145). Here, merging difference map information means merging update information of difference information stored in the difference map information storage unit 25. However, the data version attached to the update information is limited to a newer version than the mesh data version included in the distribution request information.

  As a result of the determination in step S142, when the map information request flag is not 1 (No in step S142), the arithmetic processing unit C skips the processing of the mesh loop (steps S143 to S146).

  Subsequently, the arithmetic processing unit C determines whether or not the statistical traffic information request flag included in the distribution request information is 1 (step S147). As a result of the determination, when the statistical traffic information request flag is 1 (Yes in step S147), the arithmetic processing unit C executes a mesh loop (steps S148 to S153).

  In the mesh loop, the processor C reads the updated statistical traffic information (mesh data: see FIG. 12) of the mesh (step S149), and the link information loop (steps S150 to S150) for the link information included in the mesh data. Step S152) is executed. In the link information loop, when the link information creation date is newer than the update date included in the distribution request information and the map data version corresponds to the link information, the arithmetic processing unit C The information is added to the distribution information (see FIG. 21B) (step S151).

  When the statistical traffic information request flag is not 1 as a result of the determination in step S147 (No in step S147), the arithmetic processing unit C skips the processing of the mesh loop (steps S148 to S153).

  Through the above processing, the arithmetic processing unit C generates distribution information (see FIG. 21B) to the in-vehicle terminal device 50 including the updated map information and the updated statistical traffic information.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow of map information update processing after receiving updated map information in the in-vehicle terminal device 50 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 25, when the arithmetic processing unit T of the in-vehicle terminal device 50 receives the updated map information distributed from the traffic information distribution device 10 (step S161), it determines whether or not the map information update flag is 1. Determination is made (step S162). If the map information update flag is 1 as a result of the determination (Yes in step S162), the arithmetic processing unit T executes a mesh loop (steps S163 to S174).

  In the mesh loop, the arithmetic processing unit T reads map information and statistical traffic information of the mesh from the map information storage unit 61 and the statistical traffic information storage unit 62 (step S164). Then, the data version and update date of the map information (mesh data) are updated (step S165), and the corresponding map data version of the statistical traffic information is updated (step S166).

  Next, the arithmetic processing unit T executes a change ID loop (steps S167 to S173) for the change ID of the difference map information. In the change ID loop, the arithmetic processing unit T determines whether or not the update type included in the change ID is deletion (step S168). If the update type is not deleted as a result of the determination (No in step S168), the arithmetic processing unit T deletes the information of the link number before change from the map information and the statistical traffic information (step S169), and after the change. The link information and the changed node information are added to the map information (step S170), and the unknown value setting information is added to the statistical data of the changed link information of the statistical traffic information (step S171). Finish.

  When the update type is deletion as a result of the determination in step S168 (Yes in step S168), the arithmetic processing unit T deletes the link information from the map information and the statistical traffic information (step S172), and Finish the change ID loop.

  When the map information update flag is not 1 as a result of the determination in step S162 (No in step S162), the arithmetic processing unit T skips the execution of the mesh loop (steps S163 to S174).

  When the arithmetic processing unit T executes the process shown in FIG. 25, the map information stored in the map information storage unit 61 is updated to the latest one.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow of statistical traffic information update processing after reception of updated statistical traffic information in the in-vehicle terminal device 50 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 26, when the arithmetic processing unit T of the in-vehicle terminal device 50 receives the updated statistical traffic information distributed from the traffic information distribution device 10 (step S181), whether the statistical traffic information update flag is 1 or not. Is determined (step S182). When the statistical traffic information update flag is 1 as a result of the determination (Yes in step S182), the arithmetic processing unit T executes a mesh loop (steps S183 to S193).

  In the mesh loop, the processor T reads the statistical traffic information of the mesh from the statistical traffic information storage unit 62 (step S184), and updates the corresponding map data version and update date of the statistical traffic information (mesh data). (Step S185).

  Next, the arithmetic processing unit T executes a link information loop (steps S186 to S192) for the link information of the updated statistical traffic information. In the link information loop, the arithmetic processing unit T determines whether or not the update type included in the link information is deletion (step S187). As a result of the determination, when the update type is not deletion (No in step S187), the arithmetic processing unit T links the statistical data for the link information of the statistical traffic information stored in the statistical traffic information storage unit 62. The travel time and the traffic congestion status are updated (step S188), and the update presence / absence flag is changed to “present” (step S189). Further, when the parameter of the link information of the updated statistical traffic information is less than a predetermined number (for example, 10), the reliability of the statistical data is set to “low”, and the parameter is a predetermined number (for example, 10). When it is above, the reliability of the statistical data is set to “high” (step S190). Then, the reliability is stored in the statistical data of the link information of the statistical traffic information, and the link information loop is finished.

  When the update type is deletion as a result of the determination in step S187 (Yes in step S187), the arithmetic processing unit T deletes the link information from the map information and the statistical traffic information (step S191), and Finish the change ID loop.

  When the statistical traffic information update flag is not 1 as a result of the determination in step S182 (No in step S182), the arithmetic processing unit T skips the execution of the mesh loop (steps S183 to S193).

  When the arithmetic processing unit T executes the processing shown in FIG. 26, the statistical traffic information stored in the statistical traffic information storage unit 62 is updated to the latest one.

  Next, an example of how to use the statistical traffic information stored in the statistical traffic information storage unit 62 of the in-vehicle terminal device 50 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen for setting a guide route search option when the in-vehicle terminal device 50 searches for a guide route by the route search unit 56.

  As described with reference to the drawings up to FIG. 26, the statistical traffic information in the statistical traffic information storage unit 62 is updated based on actual traffic data in consideration of the impact when a road is newly constructed, repaired, or abolished. Is done. However, for example, when the statistical traffic information is updated soon after the new road is established and the actual traffic data is acquired, the statistical traffic data of the newly established road has a small number of parameters of the actual traffic data. The reliability may not be sufficiently ensured.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, the statistical data of each time zone of each link of each day type of the statistical traffic information stored in the statistical traffic information storage unit 62 includes the link travel time, the traffic jam In addition to the traffic data itself such as the situation, it has an update presence / absence flag indicating that the statistical data is updated and data indicating the reliability. In other words, in the present embodiment, it is possible to use the data indicating the reliability so that the user does not have to use the statistical data having a low reliability.

  For example, the in-vehicle terminal device 50 displays the guidance route search option setting display screen as shown in FIG. 27A before searching the guidance route to the destination set by the user. On the display screen, a new road with a small number of actual data is displayed along with a condition for setting a route search, for example, distance priority / time priority, expressway priority / general road priority, and the like. A button for selecting whether to use or not to use is displayed.

  Therefore, when the user presses the “use” button for a new road with a small number of actual data, the route search unit 56 sets the reliability data of the statistical data of the link in the statistical traffic information of the statistical traffic information unit 62. Regardless of the case, the guide route search is performed using the link travel time stored therein. On the other hand, when the user presses the “not use” button, the route search unit 56 determines the reliability data of the statistical data of each link in the statistical traffic information of the statistical traffic information unit 62, and the reliability is “ When it is “low”, a very large travel time is set as the link travel time of the link, and the guidance route search is performed. That is, the route search unit 56 performs a guide route search assuming that the link (that is, a new road with a small number of actual data) does not exist. In this way, the user can avoid using statistical data with low reliability.

  It should be noted that the condition setting as to whether or not to use a new road with a small number of actual data can be performed using a display screen as shown in FIG. That is, each time the in-vehicle terminal device 50 receives an input for instructing a route search through a predetermined menu screen, the in-vehicle terminal device 50 displays a display screen as shown in FIG. 27B and uses / does not use the new road for the user. Prompt for such information. In this case, when the statistical traffic information stored in the statistical traffic information unit 62 does not include data with a reliability of “low”, the display of the display screen of FIG. 27B may be omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the traffic information distribution device 10 stores the number of traffic information (parameters) acquired for each link, each day type, and each time zone in the statistical traffic information storage unit 28 (see FIG. 12), the in-vehicle terminal device 50 sets the reliability of the statistical data for each link, each day type, and each time zone based on the parameter (step S190 in FIG. 26). Instead of (the parameter), for example, statistical distribution of link travel time included in the actual traffic information may be used as a measure of the reliability of the traffic data. In other words, the traffic information distribution device 10 obtains the variance of the link travel time included in the actual traffic information acquired for each link, each day type, and each time zone, and stores the variance value in the statistical traffic information storage unit 28. Keep it. The in-vehicle terminal device 50 that has received the statistical traffic information determines that the reliability of the statistical data is “low” when the variance value is greater than a predetermined value, and the variance value is equal to or less than the predetermined value. The reliability of the statistical data is determined to be “high”, and the result is stored in the statistical traffic information 62.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the traffic information distribution apparatus 10 performs update update road link extraction processing (see FIG. 8 and FIG. 9) to link updated in the map information. The road links where traffic information such as link travel time is predicted to be affected by the update are extracted, and only the statistical traffic information of the road links is updated.

  In addition, the traffic information distribution device 10 performs statistical traffic information error evaluation processing (see FIG. 13) to obtain statistical data for each day type and time zone of the extracted update-affected road link after the road link is updated. The error was evaluated based on the obtained actual traffic information, and only statistical traffic information for each day type and time zone with a large error was transmitted.

  As described above, the updated statistical traffic information reduces the target link (spatial reduction) and reduces the day type and time zone (reduction on the time axis). The amount of updated statistical traffic information distributed from 10 to the in-vehicle terminal device 50 can be greatly reduced. As a result, communication time and communication cost for distribution can be reduced.

It is the figure which showed the example of the block configuration of the traffic information delivery apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and a vehicle-mounted terminal device. It is the figure which showed the example of the structure of the map information memorize | stored in the map information storage part which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed the example of the structure of the difference map information memorize | stored in the difference map information storage part which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed the example of the type of the change form of the road which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed the example of the flow of the difference map information generation process in the difference map information generation part which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed the example of the structure of the update influence road link information memorize | stored in the update influence road link memory | storage part which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed the example of a structure of the update instruction information memorize | stored in the update instruction information storage part which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed the example of the flow of a process of registration of the update instruction information in the update influence road link extraction part which concerns on this embodiment, and update influence road link extraction. It is the figure which showed the example of the flow of the detailed process of the update influence road link extraction process in FIG. It is the figure which showed the example of the structure of the present condition traffic information received by the present condition traffic information receiving part which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed the example of the structure of the statistical traffic information memorize | stored in the statistical traffic information storage part which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed the example of the structure of the update statistical traffic information memorize | stored in the update statistical traffic information storage part which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed the flow of the process of statistical traffic information error evaluation in the statistical traffic information error evaluation part which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed the flow of the update statistics information generation process in the update statistics traffic information generation part which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed the example of the detailed process flow of the space interpolation process in FIG. It is the figure which showed the example of the structure of the map information memorize | stored in the map information storage part of the vehicle-mounted terminal device which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed the example of the structure of the statistical traffic information memorize | stored in the statistical traffic information storage part of the vehicle-mounted terminal device which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed the example of (a) delivery mode setting screen and (b) download confirmation screen in the vehicle-mounted terminal device which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed the example of the structure of the delivery mode setting information memorize | stored in the memory | storage device of the vehicle-mounted terminal device which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed the example of the format of communication information when a vehicle-mounted terminal device inquires the presence or absence of delivery information with respect to a traffic information delivery apparatus in this embodiment. It is the figure which showed the example of the format of communication information when a vehicle-mounted terminal device requests | requires delivery information with respect to a traffic information delivery apparatus in this embodiment. It is the figure which showed the example of the flow of the delivery request information transmission process in the vehicle-mounted terminal device which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed the example of the flow of the inquiry information reception process in the traffic information delivery apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed the example of the flow of the update map information and statistical traffic information generation process in the traffic information delivery apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed the example of the flow of the map information update process after the update map information reception in the vehicle-mounted terminal device which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed the example of the flow of the statistical traffic information update process after the update statistical traffic information reception in the vehicle-mounted terminal device which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed the example of the display screen which sets the guidance route search option when the vehicle-mounted terminal device which concerns on this embodiment searches a guidance route by a route search part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Traffic information delivery apparatus 11 Latest map information receiving part 12 Difference map information generation part 13 Map information update part 14 Update influence road link extraction part 15 Statistical traffic information error evaluation part 16 Update statistical traffic information generation part 17 Distribution request information reception part 18 Update map / traffic information distribution section 19 Current traffic information reception section 21 Map information storage section 22 Statistical traffic information storage section 23 Day calendar storage section 24 Actual traffic information storage section 25 Difference map information storage section 26 Update influence road link storage section 27 Update instruction information storage unit 28 Update statistical traffic information storage unit 30 Map center 40 Traffic information center 50 In-vehicle terminal device 51 Operation input unit 52 Distribution request information setting unit 53 Distribution request information transmission unit 54 Update map / traffic information reception unit 55 Traffic information Update unit 56 Route search unit 57 Own vehicle position detection unit 58 Display unit 61 Map information storage 62 statistical traffic information storage unit 63 day-type calendar storage unit

Claims (4)

A computer traffic information distribution method for individually distributing predetermined traffic information related to road traffic conditions to an in-vehicle terminal device mounted on a vehicle,
The computer
Map information storage means for storing map information of road links in a predetermined area;
Actual traffic information storage means for storing the actual traffic information of the current situation acquired at predetermined time intervals for the road link as time-series information identified by date and time information;
Statistical traffic information storage means for storing statistical traffic information obtained by statistically processing the actual traffic information for each day type and each time zone based on the actual traffic information stored in the actual traffic information storage means;
With
When the map information of the road link is updated in the map information stored in the map information storage means, the update of other road links predicted to affect the value of the statistical traffic information due to the update of the map information Update impact road link extraction step to extract as road links,
For the update-influenced road link extracted in the update-influenced road link extraction step, an error in the value of the statistical traffic information with respect to the average value of the actual traffic information obtained after changing the map information of the road link is larger than a predetermined value A statistical traffic information error evaluation step for evaluating whether or not for each day type and each time zone,
For the road link, day type, and time zone in which the error is evaluated to be larger than the predetermined value in the statistical traffic information error evaluation step, the value of the statistical traffic information for the road link, day type, and time zone is set to An updated statistical traffic information generating step for generating updated statistical traffic information for updating with an average value of the actual traffic information for the same road link, day type and time zone;
An updated statistical traffic information distribution step for distributing the updated statistical traffic information generated in the updated statistical traffic information generation step to the in-vehicle terminal device;
The execution,
In the update influence road link extraction step,
A road link within a predetermined range including a road link to be updated of the map information,
A road link connected to the road link to be updated through other road links of a predetermined number or less, or
A road link whose angle is smaller than a predetermined angle with respect to the direction of the road link to be updated
A traffic information distribution method characterized by extracting the traffic as an update influence road link . The computer
In the updated statistical traffic information distribution step,
The generation date / time information of the updated statistical traffic information generated in the update statistical traffic information generation step is from the generation date / time information of the updated statistical traffic information included in the update request information transmitted from the in-vehicle terminal device. The traffic information distribution method according to claim 1, wherein, when new, the updated statistical traffic information is distributed to the in-vehicle terminal device. A traffic information distribution device that individually distributes predetermined traffic information related to road traffic conditions to an in-vehicle terminal device mounted on a vehicle,
Map information storage means for storing map information of road links in a predetermined area;
Actual traffic information storage means for storing the actual traffic information of the current situation acquired at predetermined time intervals for the road link as time-series information identified by date and time information;
Statistical traffic information storage means for storing statistical traffic information obtained by statistically processing the actual traffic information for each day type and each time zone based on the actual traffic information stored in the actual traffic information storage means;
When the map information of the road link is updated in the map information stored in the map information storage means, the update of other road links predicted to affect the value of the statistical traffic information due to the update of the map information Update-affected road link extraction means for extracting as road links;
For the update-influenced road link extracted by the update-influenced road link extracting means, an error in the value of the statistical traffic information with respect to the average value of the actual traffic information obtained after changing the map information of the road link is larger than a predetermined value Statistical traffic information error evaluation means for evaluating whether or not for each day type and every time zone,
For the road link, day type and time zone in which the error is evaluated to be greater than the predetermined value by the statistical traffic information error evaluating means, the value of the statistical traffic information for the road link, day type and time zone is set. Updated statistical traffic information generating means for generating updated statistical traffic information for updating with the average value of the actual traffic information for the same road link, day type and time zone;
Updated statistical traffic information distributing means for distributing the updated statistical traffic information generated by the updated statistical traffic information generating means to the in-vehicle terminal device;
Equipped with a,
The update affected road link extracting means includes
A road link within a predetermined range including a road link to be updated of the map information,
A road link connected to the road link to be updated through other road links of a predetermined number or less, or
A road link whose angle is smaller than a predetermined angle with respect to the direction of the road link to be updated
As an update-affected road link
A traffic information distribution device characterized by The updated statistical traffic information distribution means includes:
The generation date / time information of the updated statistical traffic information generated by the updated statistical traffic information generation means is from the generation date / time information of the updated statistical traffic information of the in-vehicle terminal device included in the update request information transmitted from the in-vehicle terminal device. The traffic information distribution device according to claim 3 , wherein, when new, the updated statistical traffic information is distributed to the in-vehicle terminal device.

Images