Information service device, control method, program, and memory medium

Abstract

To provide an information service device that can serve guidance to the effect that a rest should be taken at an appropriate timing.SOLUTION: A terminal device 100 comprises an output unit 11, a GPS receiver 16, and a control unit 17. The control unit 17 acquires information on a current position of a vehicle Ve from the GPS receiver 16. The control unit 17 also outputs resting information for persuading a driver to take a rest to the output unit 11 when a continuous drive time passes 2 hours, which is a standard time period of a rest threshold time Tth. Furthermore, the control unit 17 changes the rest threshold time Tth from 2 hours, which is the standard time period, based on a positional relation between the vehicle Ve and a rest facility.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for providing rest information. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are in-vehicle devices that provide voice guidance to encourage a driver to take a break according to the continuous driving time. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that searches for rest facilities that exist within a distance that can be traveled within a predetermined time before the continuous driving time that requires a break is reached, and presents the rest facilities to the driver. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-160563 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, there is a problem that it is difficult to set the above-mentioned predetermined time. Specifically, if the above-mentioned predetermined time is set short, the range of rest facilities searched for becomes small, and there is a risk that an appropriate rest facility cannot be found, whereas if the above-mentioned predetermined time is set long, voice guidance is given to encourage the driver to take a break significantly before the continuous driving time when the driver should take a break.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has as its main object to provide an information providing device that can execute guidance to take a break at an appropriate timing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention described in the claims is an information providing device comprising an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the current location of a moving body, and a provision unit that provides rest information to the driver to encourage them to take a break when the continuous driving time of the moving body has elapsed a first time, and is characterized in that the provision unit changes the driving time for which the rest information is provided from the first time based on the positional relationship between the moving body and a rest facility.

[0007] The invention described in the claims is a control method executed by an information providing device, comprising an acquisition process for acquiring information relating to a current position of a moving body, and a provision process for providing rest information to the driver to encourage him or her to take a break when the continuous driving time of the moving body has elapsed a first time, wherein the provision process changes the driving time for which the rest information is provided from the first time based on the positional relationship between the moving body and a rest facility.

[0008] The invention described in the claims is a program executed by a computer, which causes the computer to function as an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the current location of a moving body, and a provision unit that provides rest information to the driver to encourage him or her to take a break when the continuous driving time of the moving body has exceeded a first time, and the provision unit changes the driving time for which the rest information is provided from the first time based on the positional relationship between the moving body and a rest facility. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] 2 shows a schematic configuration of a terminal device. [Diagram 3] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for controlling rest guidance. [Figure 4] 13 is an example of a flowchart illustrating a guide image display process. [Diagram 5] An example of the display when showing a guide image for the nearest SA / PA is shown below. [Figure 6]13 shows an example of the display when a speech bubble is selected. [Figure 7] 13 shows a first display example of the display when displaying a guide image for the nearest SA / PA and the semi-nearest SA / PA. [Figure 8] 13 shows a second display example of the display when displaying a guide image for the nearest SA / PA and the semi-nearest SA / PA. [Figure 9] 13 shows an example of the configuration of a system according to a modified example. [Figure 10] 2 shows a schematic configuration of a server device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an information providing device includes an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding a current position of a moving body, and a provision unit that provides rest information to the driver to encourage him or her to take a break when the continuous driving time of the moving body has exceeded a first time, and the provision unit changes the driving time for which the rest information is provided from the first time based on the positional relationship between the moving body and a rest facility.

[0011] The information providing device includes an acquisition unit and a provision unit. The acquisition unit acquires information related to the current position of the mobile object. The provision unit provides rest information for encouraging the driver to take a break when the continuous driving time of the mobile object has exceeded a first time. The "first time" is, for example, a general guideline for the continuous driving time at which a break is determined to be necessary, and is set, for example, based on an experiment or the like. The provision unit then changes the continuous driving time for which the rest information is provided from the first time based on the positional relationship between the mobile object and the rest facility. In this way, the information providing device can flexibly change the timing for providing the rest information based on the positional relationship between the mobile object and the rest facility, and allow the driver to take a break at a suitable rest facility.

[0012] In one aspect of the information providing device, when the providing unit detects that the moving object has entered within a predetermined range from the rest facility before the driving time has elapsed the first time, the providing unit sets the driving time for which the rest information is provided to a second time that is shorter than the first time. Here, the "predetermined range" refers to, for example, a range within which the driver can stop at the rest facility within a predetermined time. In this way, the information providing device can appropriately provide the rest information to the driver before passing the rest facility by appropriately shortening the time for which the rest information is provided.

[0013] In another aspect of the information providing device, when the mobile object enters within a predetermined range from the rest facility, the providing unit displays a guide image related to the nearest rest facility. Here, the "predetermined range" refers to, for example, a range in which the rest facility is present on a displayed map when a map of the periphery of the mobile object is displayed. With this aspect, the information providing device can appropriately make the user aware of the existence of a nearest rest facility.

[0014] In another aspect of the information providing device, when the providing unit displays a guide image for the nearest rest facility, the providing unit further displays a guide image for a future rest facility that can be passed from the nearest rest facility within a third hour. With this aspect, the information providing device can preferably make the driver recognize that there are other rest facilities that can be visited besides the nearest rest facility.

[0015] In another aspect of the information providing device, when there is a further rest facility that is more fully equipped than the nearest rest facility, the providing unit displays a guide image for the further rest facility. With this aspect, the information providing device can preferably make the driver aware that there is a rest facility with more facilities beyond the nearest rest facility.

[0016] In another aspect of the information providing device, the providing unit changes the content of the rest information in accordance with a comparison result regarding the degree of facility provision of the nearest rest facility and the rest facility beyond the nearest rest facility. With this aspect, the information providing device can suitably change the content of the guidance to the driver in accordance with the degree of facility provision of each rest facility.

[0017] In another aspect of the information providing device, when it is predicted that the moving object will be able to pass the rest facility within a fourth time period that is longer than the first time period, the providing unit provides the rest information after the moving object enters within a predetermined range from the rest facility. With this aspect, the information providing device can flexibly change the time period for providing the rest information to appropriately guide the driver to the rest facility.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a control method executed by an information providing device includes an acquisition step of acquiring information regarding a current position of a moving object, and a provision step of providing rest information to a driver to encourage the driver to take a rest when a continuous driving time of the moving object has exceeded a first time, and the provision step changes the driving time for which the rest information is provided from the first time based on a positional relationship between the moving object and a rest facility. By executing this control method, the information providing device can flexibly change the timing for providing the rest information based on the positional relationship between the moving object and the rest facility, and allow the driver to take a rest at a suitable rest facility.

[0019] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a program executed by a computer causes the computer to function as an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding a current position of a moving object, and a provision unit that provides rest information to encourage a driver to take a rest when a continuous driving time of the moving object has exceeded a first time, and the provision unit changes the driving time for which the rest information is provided from the first time based on a positional relationship between the moving object and a rest facility. By executing this program, the computer can flexibly change the timing for providing the rest information based on the positional relationship between the moving object and the rest facility, allowing the driver to take a rest at a suitable rest facility. Preferably, the program is stored in a storage medium. EXAMPLES

[0020] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0021] [Overall configuration] 1 shows a front view of a terminal device 100 to which an information providing device according to the present invention is applied. The terminal device 100 is a portable terminal that can be carried by a user, and has a display 110 on which a touch panel 120 is laminated. The terminal device 100 provides route guidance to a specified destination for pedestrians, vehicles, etc.

[0022] Fig. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the terminal device 100. As shown in Fig. 2, the terminal device 100 includes an output unit 11, an input unit 12, a storage unit 13, a communication unit 14, a camera 15, a GPS receiver 16, and a control unit 17. The elements of the terminal device 100 are connected to each other via a bus 10, and are configured to enable transmission of necessary information between the elements.

[0023] The output unit 11 includes a display 110 and a speaker 111 for outputting audio, and outputs information for responding to an operation of the user of the terminal device 100 under the control of the control unit 17. The input unit 12 includes a touch panel 120, and is an interface for receiving input of necessary commands and information, i.e., operations, performed by the terminal user to the terminal device 100. For example, the input unit 12 receives input specifying a destination, input specifying conditions for route search, and the like. In addition to the touch panel 120, the input unit 12 may include keys, switches, buttons, audio input devices, and the like for inputting various commands and data.

[0024] The storage unit 13 stores programs for controlling the operation of the terminal device 100 and holds information necessary for the operation of the terminal device 100. For example, the storage unit 13 stores various data used in navigation processing, such as map data. The map data includes road data represented by links corresponding to roads and nodes corresponding to road connection portions (intersections), facility information on each facility, such as service areas and parking areas (collectively referred to as "SA / PA"). The storage unit 13 also stores information on SA / PAs where a user can stop by, in association with link IDs indicating main lines of expressways. SA / PAs are an example of "rest facilities" in the present invention.

[0025] The communication unit 14 transmits and receives data to and from other devices in accordance with a predetermined protocol. The camera 15 generates images captured under the control of the control unit 17 and transmits them to the control unit 17. The GPS receiver 16 receives radio waves carrying downlink data including positioning data from multiple GPS satellites, thereby generating information on the current location of the terminal device 100 and transmitting it to the control unit 17.

[0026] The control unit 17 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and the like (not shown), and performs various controls on each component in the terminal device 100.

[0027] For example, the control unit 17 accepts an input specifying a destination via the input unit 12, sets a route to the specified destination (also called a "guidance route"), and displays the guided route on a map around the current location. The control unit 17 also displays an image (also called a "guidance image Im") providing guidance to facilities within a SA / PA while driving on a highway. Furthermore, the control unit 17 measures the continuous driving time of the vehicle Ve, and provides audio guidance encouraging the driver to take a break depending on the continuous driving time.

[0028] The control unit 17 is an example of the "acquisition unit" and "provision unit" of the present invention, and a computer that operates based on a program. The audio content encouraging a break that the control unit 17 causes the speaker 111 to output is an example of the "break information" of the present invention.

[0029] [How to execute break notification] Next, a method of executing rest guidance executed by the control unit 17 will be described. In summary, the control unit 17 appropriately promotes resting at SA / PAs by flexibly changing the continuous driving time (also called "rest threshold Tth") of the vehicle Ve for which rest guidance is given according to the positional relationship between the current position and the SA / PA. Furthermore, when there are multiple SA / PAs that can be visited, the control unit 17 determines an SA / PA (also called "recommended SA / PA") that is suitable for resting according to the level of facilities, and reflects this in the audio output of the rest guidance and the display of the guidance image Im.

[0030] (1) Processing Overview Fig. 3 is an example of a flowchart showing a control method for rest guidance executed by the control unit 17. In the flowchart of Fig. 3, the control unit 17 sets the standard time for the rest threshold Tth to two hours, and flexibly varies the rest threshold Tth between 1.5 hours and two and a half hours depending on the positional relationship between the current position and the SA / PA so that the vehicle Ve can take a rest at the SA / PA as much as possible. The above-mentioned two hours is an example of the "first time" in the present invention.

[0031] First, the control unit 17 determines whether the vehicle Ve is traveling on an expressway (step S101). In this case, the control unit 17 recognizes the road on which the vehicle Ve is traveling (also called the "traveling road") based on the current position measured by the GPS receiver 16 or the like and the road data stored in the memory unit 13, and determines whether the traveling road is an expressway. Then, if the vehicle Ve is traveling on an expressway (step S101; Yes), the control unit 17 proceeds to step S102.

[0032] On the other hand, if the vehicle Ve is not traveling on an expressway (step S101; No), the control unit 17 judges whether the continuous driving time has reached the rest threshold Tth of 2 hours (step S103). Then, if the continuous driving time has reached 2 hours (step S103; Yes), the control unit 17 outputs a voice of a rest guidance to the effect that the driver should take a rest soon for safe driving because the driver has been driving for 2 hours (step S109). That is, in this case, the control unit 17 outputs a voice of the rest guidance without giving guidance on the SA / PA because the driver needs to take a rest and it is difficult to stop at the SA / PA to take a rest. On the other hand, if the continuous driving time has not reached 2 hours (step S103; No), the control unit 17 judges that it is not necessary to give a rest guidance yet, and returns the process to step S101.

[0033] Next, in step S102, the control unit 17 determines whether or not there is an SA / PA that can be stopped at from the traveling road (step S102). For example, the control unit 17 refers to map data and determines whether or not there is an SA / PA that is associated with the link ID of the main line of the expressway that is the traveling road. In this case, the control unit 17 preferably determines that only an SA / PA that is predicted to be reachable within 30 minutes from the current position is an SA / PA that can be stopped at from the traveling road.

[0034] If the control unit 17 determines that there is an SA / PA that can be stopped at from the traveled road (step S102; Yes), it judges whether or not 1.5 hours of continuous driving time has elapsed (step S104). If the control unit 17 determines that 1.5 hours of continuous driving time has elapsed (step S104; Yes), it performs a guide image display process that determines a recommended SA / PA and displays a guide image Im (step S106). The guide image display process will be described later with reference to FIG. 4. If the vehicle Ve approaches within a predetermined distance from the nearest SA / PA (also referred to as the "nearest SA / PA"), for example, the control unit 17 outputs a voice message that the driver should take a break at the nearest SA / PA or the recommended SA / PA (step S109).

[0035] In this way, when 1.5 hours of continuous driving time has elapsed and there is an SA / PA where the driver can stop, the control unit 17 shortens the rest threshold Tth from 2 hours to a maximum of 30 minutes and provides rest guidance. This allows the control unit 17 to prevent rest guidance from being provided after the driver has passed an SA / PA where the driver can stop, and allows the driver to rest appropriately at the SA / PA. The rest threshold Tth after being shortened from 2 hours is an example of the "second time" in the present invention.

[0036] On the other hand, if the continuous driving time has not elapsed for 1.5 hours (step S104; No), the control unit 17 displays a guidance image Im of the nearest SA / PA (step S105). In this case, the control unit 17 may display the guidance image Im of the nearest SA / PA only if the nearest SA / PA is present on the displayed map. Then, the control unit 17 returns the process to step S101 without executing step S109. That is, in this case, the control unit 17 determines that there is still little need to take a break, does not provide audio guidance to the effect that it is necessary to take a break, and only allows the presence of the nearest SA / PA to be visually confirmed by the guidance image Im.

[0037] On the other hand, in step S102, if the control unit 17 determines that there is no SA / PA that can be stopped at from the driving road (step S102; No), it determines whether or not the continuous driving time has reached two hours (step S107). Then, if the continuous driving time has reached two hours (step S107; Yes), the control unit 17 determines whether or not there is an SA / PA that can be reached within 30 minutes on the guidance route (step S108). The above-mentioned 30 minutes is an example of an allowable time that can exceed the standard time of two hours for the rest threshold Tth, for example, from the viewpoint of a decrease in concentration due to driving fatigue. On the other hand, if the continuous driving time has not reached two hours (step S107; No), the control unit 17 determines that it is not necessary to perform rest guidance yet, and returns the process to step S102.

[0038] Then, when the control unit 17 determines that there is an SA / PA that can be reached within 30 minutes (step S108; Yes), it returns the process to step S102 again. That is, in this case, even if the standard time of 2 hours, which is the standard time of the rest threshold Tth, has been exceeded within the allowable range, the control unit 17 determines that it is appropriate to take a rest at the next SA / PA, and does not perform rest guidance at this time. After that, when the control unit 17 approaches within a predetermined distance from the SA / PA, it displays a guide image Im in step S105 or S106 for the SA / PA, and performs voice output of rest guidance in step S109. In this way, the control unit 17 can flexibly extend the rest threshold Tth, thereby suitably outputting voice of rest guidance at a timing when it is possible to stop at the SA / PA. In this case, the extended rest threshold Tth is an example of the "fourth time" in the present invention.

[0039] On the other hand, if the control unit 17 determines that there is no SA / PA that can be reached within 30 minutes (step S108; No), it outputs a voice guidance to the effect that a break is necessary because the continuous driving time has reached the break threshold value Tth of two hours (step S109). That is, in this case, the control unit 17 determines that there is no plan to pass the SA / PA even if the time exceeds two and a half hours, which is the upper limit that can be set as the break threshold value Tth, and urges the driver to take a voluntary break.

[0040] (2) Guidance image display processing Next, a description will be given of the guide image display process executed in step S106 in Fig. 3. Fig. 4 is an example of a flowchart showing the guide image display process.

[0041] First, the control unit 17 recognizes the SA / PA (also called "semi-close SA / PA") beyond the nearest SA / PA (step S200). Specifically, in this case, the control unit 17 recognizes the SA / PA that can be reached within a predetermined time from the nearest SA / PA. The above-mentioned predetermined time is an example of the "third time" in the present invention, and is set to, for example, 30 minutes. Preferably, the control unit 17 may limit the number of semi-close SA / PAs to two or less.

[0042] Next, the control unit 17 calculates the degree of completeness of each facility of the nearest SA / PA and the semi-nearest SA / PA (step S201). For example, the control unit 17 refers to facility information in the map data, counts the number of facilities (shops) accommodated in each SA / PA, and calculates the counted number of facilities as the degree of completeness of the SA / PA. Note that the control unit 17 may count only the number of facilities where you can take a rest (e.g., restaurants, food courts, coffee shops, etc.) among the facilities (shops) accommodated in each SA / PA, and determine the counted number of facilities as the degree of completeness.

[0043] Next, the control unit 17 determines whether or not there is a quasi-close SA / PA with a higher degree of satisfaction than the nearest SA / PA (step S202). If there is a quasi-close SA / PA with a higher degree of satisfaction than the nearest SA / PA (step S202; Yes), the control unit 17 recognizes the quasi-close SA / PA as a recommended SA / PA and displays a guide image Im for the quasi-close SA / PA together with the nearest SA / PA (step S203). Here, if there are a plurality of quasi-close SA / PAs with a higher degree of satisfaction than the nearest SA / PA, the control unit 17 may determine the quasi-close SA / PA with the highest degree of satisfaction among them as the recommended SA / PA and display the guide image Im for the recommended SA / PA and the nearest SA / PA. If the control unit 17 approaches within a predetermined distance from the nearest SA / PA or the recommended SA / PA, it outputs a voice guide indicating that the quasi-close SA / PA is more satisfactory than the nearest SA / PA (step S204). Thereafter, in step S109 of FIG. 3, the control unit 17 issues a voice guidance to the driver to take a rest at the nearest SA / PA or the semi-nearest SA / PA.

[0044] In this way, in steps S203 and S204, the control unit 17 proactively guides the driver to second nearest SA / PAs that have more facilities than the nearest SA / PA as recommended SA / PAs, allowing the control unit 17 to allow the driver to take a rest preferably at SA / PAs with more facilities.

[0045] On the other hand, if there is no semi-nearby SA / PA with a higher degree of satisfaction than the nearest SA / PA (step S202; No), the control unit 17 displays the guide image Im of the nearest SA / PA (step S205). That is, in this case, the control unit 17 determines that there is no SA / PA other than the nearest SA / PA that should draw the driver's attention, and displays only the guide image Im of the nearest SA / PA. After that, in step S109 of Fig. 3, when the control unit 17 approaches within a predetermined distance of the nearest SA / PA, it outputs a voice message that the driver should take a rest at the nearest SA / PA.

[0046] (3) Display examples Next, a display example of the guide image Im will be described. First, an example of displaying only the guide image Im of the nearest SA / PA will be described with reference to Figs.

[0047] Fig. 5 shows an example of the display on the display 110 when displaying a guide image Im for the nearest SA / PA in step S105 in Fig. 3 or step S205 in Fig. 4. In the example of Fig. 5, the vehicle indicated by the current position mark 21 is traveling on the outbound lane road 20 connecting a parking area "XX PA" located at a point 22A and a service area "OO SA" located at a point 22B.

[0048] 5, the control unit 17 displays, as a guide image Im on the display 110, a speech bubble 23A indicating the position of the parking area "XX PA" that is the nearest SA / PA where the user can stop on a map of the surrounding area of ​​the current location. Facility icons 25A representing the facilities accommodated in the parking area "XX PA" are displayed side by side in the speech bubble 23A. In this way, when rest guidance is not provided or when rest guidance is provided for the nearest SA / PA as a recommended SA / PA, the control unit 17 displays, as a guide image Im, the speech bubble 23A, which is a simple display indicating the position of the nearest SA / PA and the facilities accommodated therein.

[0049] Fig. 6 shows an example of the display on the display 110 when the speech bubble 23A is selected in the example of Fig. 5. In the display example of Fig. 6, the control unit 17 detects through the touch panel 120 that the speech bubble 23A has been touched with a finger or the like, and displays a detailed display window 29A showing the location of each facility in the parking area "XX PA" together with a facility mark at the bottom of the display 110. In this way, when the driver selects the speech bubble 23A, the control unit 17 displays detailed information about the parking area "XX PA" as a guide image Im.

[0050] When displaying the guide image Im of the nearest SA / PA as a recommended SA / PA in step S205, the control unit 17 may immediately display the details display window 29A in Fig. 6 instead of the speech bubble 23A in Fig. 5. This allows the control unit 17 to conveniently allow the driver to recognize detailed information about the nearest SA / PA where the driver is expected to stop for a break.

[0051] Next, display examples (first display example and second display example) of the display 110 in step S203 in a case where the near-proximate SA / PA is set as the recommended SA / PA will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0052] 7 shows a first display example of the display 110 when displaying a guide image Im of a semi-nearest SA / PA together with the nearest SA / PA in step S203. In this case, the control unit 17 determines that the service area "XX SA" ahead of the nearest parking area "XX PA" has a larger number of facilities and is more comprehensive than the nearest parking area "XX PA", and recognizes the service area "XX SA" as a recommended SA / PA. In this case, the control unit 17 displays a detail display window 29B showing detailed information about the service area "XX SA", and also displays a detail display window 29A showing detailed information about the nearest SA / PA parking area "XX PA" on the map.

[0053] 7, the control unit 17 displays a detail display window 29A of the nearest SA / PA and a detail display window 29B of a semi-nearby SA / PA that has more facilities than the nearest SA / PA side by side. This allows the driver to suitably select whether to use the nearest SA / PA or the semi-nearby SA / PA that has more facilities than the nearest SA / PA as a rest area.

[0054] 8 shows a second display example of the display 110 when displaying the guide image Im of the semi-nearest SA / PA together with the nearest SA / PA in step S203. In this case, the control unit 17 displays a speech bubble 23A showing simple information about the parking area "XX PA" which is the nearest SA / PA, and also displays a speech bubble 23B showing simple information about a service area "OO SA" which has more extensive facilities than the parking area "XX PA". In addition, because the service area "OO SA" is a recommended SA / PA, the control unit 17 causes an emphasis image 30 to be displayed in the speech bubble 23B for the service area "OO SA" indicating that the speech bubble 23B is a recommended SA / PA.

[0055] 8, the control unit 17 displays a speech bubble 23A for the nearest SA / PA, as well as a speech bubble 23B for a semi-nearby SA / PA that has more facilities than the nearest SA / PA, and highlights the speech bubble 23B. This allows the driver to easily recognize the existence of the semi-nearby SA / PA that has more facilities than the nearest SA / PA.

[0056] As described above, the terminal device 100 according to this embodiment includes the output unit 11, the GPS receiver 16, and the control unit 17. The control unit 17 acquires information about the current position of the vehicle Ve from the GPS receiver 16. When the continuous driving time exceeds two hours, which is the standard time for the rest threshold Tth, the control unit 17 causes the output unit 11 to output rest information for encouraging the driver to take a rest. Then, the control unit 17 changes the rest threshold Tth from the standard time of two hours based on the positional relationship between the vehicle Ve and the rest facility. In this way, the terminal device 100 can flexibly change the timing of providing the rest information based on the positional relationship between the moving body and the rest facility, and can allow the driver to take a rest at the rest facility in a suitable manner.

[0057] [Variations] Preferred modifications of the above-described embodiment will now be described. These modifications can be applied to the above-described embodiment in any combination.

[0058] (Variation 1) Instead of the terminal device 100, a server device connected via a network may execute part of the processing of the control unit 17.

[0059] Fig. 9 shows an example of the configuration of a system according to a modified example. As shown in Fig. 9, a terminal device 100 is connected to a server device 200 via a network 150. The terminal device 100 receives information necessary for route guidance from the server device 200 to perform route guidance and the like.

[0060] Fig. 10 shows a schematic configuration of the server device 200. As shown in Fig. 10, the server device 200 has a communication unit 202, a storage unit 203, and a control unit 204. The communication unit 202, the storage unit 203, and the control unit 204 are connected to each other via a bus line 201.

[0061] The communication unit 202 transmits and receives various data via the network 150 under the control of the control unit 204. The storage unit 203 is configured, for example, with an HDD and stores data necessary for route search and the like, such as map data. The control unit 204 has memories such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM, and performs overall control of the server device 200 by executing programs stored in the memory.

[0062] In this case, the control unit 204 performs a search process for a guide route along which the vehicle Ve should travel, based on the current location information and destination information transmitted from the terminal device 100, and transmits information on the searched guide route to the terminal device 100. The control unit 204 also performs the processes of Figs. 3 and 4 based on the current location information transmitted from the terminal device 100, determines the output timing and output contents of the rest guidance and the guidance image Im, and transmits a signal to the terminal device 100 instructing audio output of the rest guidance and display of the guidance image Im. The control unit 204 may generate display information of a screen to be displayed on the display 110 and transmit it to the terminal device 100, thereby causing each display screen shown in Figs. 5 to 8 to be displayed on the display 110. Similarly, the control unit 204 may execute the audio output of steps S109 and S204, by generating audio data to be output from the speaker 111 and transmitting it to the terminal device 100.

[0063] In this way, even if the server device 200 executes part of the processing of the control unit 17, the terminal device 100 can appropriately execute the rest guidance. Note that the processing of the server device 200 may be executed by a server system consisting of multiple server devices. In this modification, the server device 200 functions as the "information providing device" of the present invention, and the control unit 204 functions as the "acquisition unit" and "provision unit" of the present invention, and as a computer that executes a program.

[0064] (Variation 2) The terminal device 100 is not limited to a portable terminal such as a smartphone as shown in Fig. 1, but may be a stationary navigation device installed in a vehicle. In this case, the control unit of the navigation device performs output control similar to that of the control unit 17 for the display and speaker of the navigation device.

[0065] (Variation 3) The rest facilities for which the rest guidance and the guidance image Im are displayed are not limited to SA / PA. Instead, the terminal device 100 may display the guidance image Im or output the rest guidance audio for complex facilities such as roadside stations and shopping malls, and other rest facilities where the vehicle Ve can stop. Therefore, in this case, the terminal device 100 may determine in step S102 whether there is a rest facility where the vehicle Ve can stop, regardless of the result of the determination in step S101 of FIG. 3 as to whether the vehicle is traveling on an expressway.

[0066] (Variation 4) The terminal device 100 may display the rest guidance on the display 110 instead of or in addition to outputting the rest guidance to the speaker 111. That is, in this case, the terminal device 100 may display on the display 110 a character string indicating that a rest should be taken when the continuous driving time reaches the rest threshold value Tth. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 10 Bus 11 Output section 12 Input section 13 Storage section 14 Communications Department 15 Camera 16 GPS receiver 17 Control Unit 100 Terminal Equipment 110 Display 111 Speaker 120 Touch Panel 150 Network 200 Server device

Claims

[Claim 1] An acquisition unit that acquires information regarding a current location of a moving object; a providing unit that provides rest information for encouraging a driver to take a rest based on a positional relationship between the moving object and a rest facility and a continuous driving time of the moving object; An information providing device comprising:

Images