Information processing device, and route search method

Abstract

To provide an information processing device capable of providing a user with information at appropriate timing according to distance between the information processing device and an other device.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes a position acquisition part for acquiring a position of an other device and a position of an own device, a present destination setting part for setting a present destination on the basis of the position of the other device, a reference distance setting part for setting reference distance on the basis of distance between the present destination and the own device, and a new destination setting part for setting a new destination on the basis of a changed position of the other device if the position of the other device is changed. The present destination setting part sets the new destination to the present destination when distance between the present destination and the new destination is equal to or more than the reference distance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device and a route search method. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a route search device is known that supports meetings with people who have terminals such as mobile phones.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses such a route search device that includes, for example, a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating the current location of another terminal, a search unit that sets a destination based on the location information and searches for a route to the destination, and a destination notification unit that notifies the other terminal of the destination, wherein the search unit updates the destination in response to changes in the location information of the other terminal, and the destination notification unit notifies the updated destination each time the search unit updates the destination. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-219219 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the searching device of Patent Document 1, when the location information of another terminal is updated, the searching unit updates the destination location, and each time the destination location is updated, the destination location notification unit notifies the destination location.

[0006] For this reason, for example, even if the search device and another terminal are far apart, the user may feel annoyed if the other terminal moves slightly and is notified that the destination location has been updated.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned points, and one of its objectives is to provide an information processing device that can present information to a user at an appropriate timing depending on the distance between the information processing device and another device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The information processing device described in claim 1 of the present application includes a position acquisition unit that acquires the positions of other devices and the position of the device itself, a current destination setting unit that sets a current destination based on the positions of the other devices, a reference distance setting unit that sets a reference distance based on the distance between the current destination and the device itself, and a new destination setting unit that sets a new destination based on the changed position of the other device when the position of the other device changes, and is characterized in that the current destination setting unit sets the new destination as the current destination when the distance between the current destination and the new destination becomes greater than or equal to the reference distance. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing configurations of a route search device, a terminal device, and an information processing device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image display on a terminal device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a table showing reference distances for the distance between a terminal device and a route search device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing a processing flow of the information processing device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a table showing reference distances for the distance between a terminal device and a route search device. [Figure 6A] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image display on a terminal device. [Figure 6B] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image display on a terminal device. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a table showing reference distances versus required times for a route search device. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a table showing reference distances versus required times for a route search device. [Figure 9]FIG. 11 is a flow diagram showing a processing flow of an information processing device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing configurations of a route search device, a terminal device, and an information processing device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing configurations of a route search device, a terminal device, and an information processing device according to a fourth embodiment.

[0010] [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing configurations of a route search device, a terminal device, and an information processing device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 13A] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a table showing a reference time with respect to a distance between a terminal device and a route search device. [Figure 13B] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a table showing a reference time with respect to a distance between a terminal device and a route search device. [Figure 13C] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a table showing a reference time with respect to a distance between a terminal device and a route search device. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a flow diagram showing a processing flow of an information processing device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing configurations of a route search device, a terminal device, and an information processing device according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing configurations of a route search device, a terminal device, and an information processing device according to a seventh embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] In the following, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described. However, these may be modified and combined as appropriate. In the following description and the accompanying drawings, substantially the same or equivalent parts are designated by the same reference numerals. EXAMPLES

[0012] A route guidance system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, in a route guidance system 100, a server 10 as an information processing device, a terminal device 30 as an information processing device, and a route search device 50 as an information processing device are communicatively connected via a network NW.

[0014] The terminal device 30 is, for example, a terminal such as a smartphone, as shown in Fig. 2. The terminal may be a tablet terminal other than a smartphone or a mobile phone, or may be a device mounted on an automobile, bicycle, motorcycle, airplane, or ship.

[0015] The route search device 50 is mounted on a moving object such as an automobile. The moving object may be a moving object other than an automobile, such as a bicycle, a motorbike, an airplane, a ship, or a moving person.

[0016] The server 10 is made up of a control unit 11 that controls the server 10, a storage unit 19 that stores various information, and a communication unit 20 that communicates with the terminal device 30 and the route search device 50.

[0017] The control unit 11 is, for example, a computer including a central processing unit that performs arithmetic processing, a non-volatile memory, and a volatile memory.

[0018] The position acquisition unit 12 is one of the functional blocks of the control unit 11. The position acquisition unit 12 acquires the position information of each device transmitted from the terminal device 30 and the route search device 50 via the communication unit 20, and stores each piece of position information in the storage unit 19.

[0019] The current destination setting unit 13 is one of the functional blocks of the control unit 11. The current destination setting unit 13 sets a current destination based on the position information of the terminal device 30 transmitted from the terminal device 30.

[0020] When the distance between the current destination and the new destination is equal to or greater than a reference distance, the current destination setting unit 13 sets the new destination as the current destination, and transmits position information of the set current destination to the route search device 50 .

[0021] The new destination setting unit 14 is one of the functional blocks of the control unit 11. When the position of the terminal device 30 has changed, the new destination setting unit 14 sets a new destination based on the changed position of the terminal device 30.

[0022] The current destination and the new destination may be the location of the terminal device 30. In addition, if the terminal device 30 is located in a facility such as a park or a train station, the current destination and the new destination may be the nearest place that can be approached by car from the location of the terminal device 30, such as a parking lot in the park or a rotary in the station.

[0023] The route information generating unit 16 is one of the functional blocks of the control unit 11. The route information generating unit 16 generates route information for the route search device 50 based on the position information of the current destination.

[0024] The reference distance setting unit 17 is one of the functional blocks of the control unit 11. The reference distance setting unit 17 sets a reference distance based on the distance between the current destination and the route search device 50.

[0025] The reference distance B set by the reference distance setting unit 17 is, for example, a distance between the current destination and the new destination determined according to a distance A between the current destination and the route search device 50 as shown in FIG.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, when distance A corresponds to distances A1 to A5, reference distance B is set to B1 to B5.

[0027] Specific distances A are defined as follows: A1 when the distance A between the current destination and route search device 50 is 0-1 km, A2 when it is 1-2 km, A3 when it is 2-5 km, A4 when it is 5-10 km, and A5 when it is 10 km or more.

[0028] In addition, the reference distance B according to the distances A1 to A5 is defined as follows: the reference distance for distance A1 is B1 (20 m), the reference distance for distance A2 is B2 (50 m), the reference distance for distance A3 is B3 (100 m), the reference distance for distance A4 is B4 (200 m), and the reference distance for distance A5 is B5 (500 m).

[0029] Therefore, for example, when the distance A between the current destination and the route search device 50 corresponds to distance A5, which is 10 km or more away, the current destination setting unit 13 is set to transmit the current destination when the distance between the current destination and the new destination is 500 m or more, which corresponds to distance B5.

[0030] In this way, the reference distance B may be set so that when the distance A is short, the current destination setting unit 13 transmits the location information of the current destination frequently, and as the distance A becomes longer, the interval at which the current destination setting unit 13 transmits the location information of the current destination becomes longer.

[0031] For example, when the distance between the two is relatively large, 10 km or more, newer location information can be used, and therefore the distance A may be set based on the location of the terminal device 30 after movement and the location of the route search device 50 after movement.

[0032] In this embodiment, the distance A is set based on the position of the terminal device 30 before movement and the position of the route searching device 50 before movement, but it may also be set based on the position of the terminal device 30 after movement and the position of the route searching device 50 after movement.

[0033] Incidentally, distance A may be the straight-line distance between the current destination and the route search device 50, or may be the distance of a route based on an actual route.

[0034] The storage unit 19 is configured with a semiconductor memory or the like, and stores the position information of the terminal device 30 and the route search device 50, the reference distance, and the like.

[0035] The communication unit 20 is communicatively connected to the route search device 50 and the terminal device 30 via a network NW. The communication unit 20 includes, for example, a communication device capable of transmitting and receiving various information between the devices 30 and 50.

[0036] The terminal device 30 has a control unit 31 that controls the terminal device 30, a display unit 32 that displays map information, etc., an operation unit 33 that performs operations on the terminal device 30, a communication unit 34, and a memory unit 35 that stores various information.

[0037] The control unit 31 is a computer including a central processing unit, a non-volatile memory, and a volatile memory.

[0038] The position acquisition unit 36 ​​is one of the functional blocks of the control unit 31. The position acquisition unit 36 ​​acquires the position information of the terminal device 30.

[0039] The position acquisition unit 36 ​​has, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, and calculates the latitude and longitude of the terminal device 30 to obtain position information.

[0040] In addition to the latitude and longitude, this location information may include, for example, the upload time when the terminal device 30 uploaded the location information.

[0041] The display unit 32 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays map information and the like.

[0042] The operation unit 33 is, for example, a touch panel that allows input by pressing input buttons displayed on the display unit 32.

[0043] The communication unit 34 is communicatively connected to the server 10 and the route search device 50 via the network NW. The communication unit 34 includes, for example, a communication device capable of transmitting and receiving various information between the devices 10 and 50.

[0044] The storage unit 35 is configured with a semiconductor memory or the like, and stores map information, position information of the terminal device 30, and the like.

[0045] The route search device 50 has a control unit 51 that controls the route search device 50, a display unit 52 that displays map information, etc., an operation unit 53 that performs operations on the route search device 50, a communication unit 54 that communicates with each device 10, 30, and a memory unit 55 that stores various information.

[0046] The control unit 51 is a computer including a central processing unit, a non-volatile memory, and a volatile memory.

[0047] The position acquisition unit 56 is one of the functional blocks of the control unit 51. The position acquisition unit 56 acquires position information of the automobile in which the route search device 50 is mounted.

[0048] The position acquisition unit 56 has, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, and calculates the latitude and longitude of the route search device 50 to obtain position information.

[0049] In addition to latitude and longitude, this location information may include, for example, the estimated time of arrival at the destination for an automobile equipped with the route search device 50, the required travel time, and the upload time when the route search device 50 uploads the location information.

[0050] The display unit 52 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays map information and the like.

[0051] The operation unit 53 is used to operate the route search device 50, and is, for example, a touch panel that allows input by pressing input buttons displayed on the display unit 52.

[0052] The communication unit 54 is communicatively connected to the server 10 and the terminal device 30 via the network NW. The communication unit 54 includes, for example, a communication device capable of transmitting and receiving various information between the devices 10 and 30.

[0053] The storage unit 55 is configured from a semiconductor memory or the like, and stores map information, position information of the route search device 50, and the like.

[0054] In the above-described route guidance system 100, a process in which the route search device 50 displays information about the current destination on the display unit 52 will be described with reference to the flow diagram shown in FIG.

[0055] In this example, as shown in FIG. 5, for the sake of simplicity, the distance A is defined as A1 to A3, and the reference distance B is defined as B1 to B3.

[0056] 2, the user of the terminal device 30, for example, presses a “Start sending my location” button displayed on the display unit 32. The location acquisition unit 36 ​​of the terminal device 30 acquires location information of the terminal device 30 and uploads the acquired location information to the server 10.

[0057] A user of the route search device 50, for example, presses a position transmission start button displayed on the display unit 52. The position acquisition unit 56 of the route search device 50 acquires position information of the route search device 50 and uploads the acquired position information to the server 10.

[0058] The upload process of the terminal device 30 and the route search device 50 may be performed continuously, or a condition for setting the upload frequency may be provided in order to reduce the communication load.

[0059] Conditions for setting the upload frequency include, for example, a condition not to upload until a certain amount of time has elapsed since the location information was acquired, or a condition not to upload if the location information is within a certain range from the previously acquired location information.

[0060] The upload of location information may be performed, for example, such that each of the devices 30 and 50 uploads location information in response to a request from the server 10.

[0061] The start trigger for the following process performed by the server 10 may be when the server 10 is powered on or when location information is acquired from the terminal device 30 and the route search device 50 .

[0062] The location acquisition unit 12 of the server 10 judges whether or not it has acquired location information uploaded from the terminal device 30 and the route search device 50 (step S01). This judgment is repeated until it is judged that the location information has been acquired.

[0063] In step S01, when it is determined that the position information has been acquired (step S01: Y), the current destination setting unit 13 sets the current destination based on the acquired position information of both devices (step S02).

[0064] Here, the route information generating unit 16 may generate route information from the current position of the route search device 50 to the current destination, and transmit the route information to the route search device 50.

[0065] The position acquisition unit 12 judges whether new position information has been acquired after the process of step S01 (step S03). This judgment is repeated until it is judged that new position information has been acquired.

[0066] In step S03, when it is determined that the position information has been acquired (step S03: Y), the new destination setting unit 14 sets a new destination based on the position information of the terminal device 30 newly acquired in step S03 (step S04).

[0067] Here, in order to reduce the processing load on the server 10 in the process of step S04, a condition for setting a new destination may be set.

[0068] The condition for setting a new destination may be, for example, that a predetermined time has elapsed since the new destination setting unit 14 set a new destination.

[0069] The current destination setting unit 13 determines whether the distance A between the current destination and the route search device 50 is within the A1 range (step S05), and if it is determined that the distance A is within the A1 range (step S05: Y), it determines whether the distance between the current destination and the new destination is equal to or greater than the reference distance B1 (step S06).

[0070] When it is determined in step S06 that the distance is equal to or greater than the reference distance B1 (step S06: Y), the current destination setting unit 13 sets the new destination set in step S04 as the current destination (step S07).

[0071] The current destination setting unit 13 transmits the position information of the current destination set in step S07 to the route search device 50 (step S08).

[0072] Here, the route information generating unit 16 may generate route information from the current position of the route search device 50 to the current destination, and transmit the route information to the route search device 50 together with the position information of the current destination.

[0073] When it is determined in step S05 that the distance A is not within the A1 range (step S05: N), the current destination setting unit 13 determines whether the distance A is within the A2 range (step S09).

[0074] When the current destination setting unit 13 determines that the distance A is within the A2 range (step S09: Y), it determines whether the distance between the current destination and the new destination is equal to or greater than the reference distance B2 (step S10).

[0075] In the judgment of step S10, when the current destination setting unit 13 judges that the distance is equal to or greater than the reference distance B2 (step S10: Y), it sets the new destination set in step S04 as the current destination (step S07), and transmits the current destination set in step S07 to the route search device 50 (step S08).

[0076] In the judgment of step S10, when the current destination setting unit 13 judges that the distance between the current destination and the new destination is not equal to or greater than the reference distance B2 (step S10: N), the process returns to the position acquisition judgment of step S03.

[0077] When it is determined in step S09 that the distance A is not within the range A2 (step S09: N), the current destination setting unit 13 determines whether the distance between the current destination and the new destination is B3 or more (step S11).

[0078] In the judgment of step S11, when the current destination setting unit 13 judges that the distance between the current destination and the new destination is equal to or greater than B3 (step S11: Y), it sets the new destination set in step S04 as the current destination (step S07), and transmits the current destination set in step S07 to the route search device 50 (step S08).

[0079] In the judgment of step S11, when the current destination setting unit 13 judges that the distance between the current destination and the new destination is not equal to or greater than B2 (step S11: N), the process returns to the position acquisition judgment of step S03.

[0080] The above process may be repeatedly executed. In addition, a condition for re-executing the above process may be set in order to reduce the processing load of the server 10. The condition for re-executing the process may be, for example, a condition for not executing the process until a predetermined time has elapsed since the time when the location information was uploaded from each device 30, 50.

[0081] Based on the location information of the current destination, the route search device 50 displays the current destination on the display unit 52. When route information is also received in addition to the location information of the current destination, the route search device 50 displays the current destination on the display unit 52 together with the route information.

[0082] Here, when the route search device 50 receives information about the current destination from the server 10 while the vehicle equipped with the route search device 50 is near an intersection, the route search device 50 may present the current destination when the vehicle passes through the intersection in order to prevent the route information from being updated while a right or left turn is being made.

[0083] In order to reduce the annoyance of frequent route guidance by the route search device 50 and to reduce the processing load on the guidance device, a condition for displaying the current destination may be set.

[0084] Conditions for displaying the current destination include, for example, (1) not performing route guidance processing for the current destination information sent from the server 10 for a certain period of time, (2) providing a button to allow or disallow the start of guidance so that the user can select the timing of display, etc.

[0085] When the distance A between the route search device 50 and the current destination becomes, for example, 50 m or less, the route search device 50 ends the guidance.

[0086] The process of guidance and navigation may be terminated by stopping the uploading process of the position information of each of the devices 30 and 50 .

[0087] The upload process may be stopped, for example, by the user pressing a "stop sending my location" button displayed on the display unit 32 of the terminal device 30 as shown in FIG.

[0088] Also, each of the devices 30, 50 may stop the upload process when it receives a notification from the server 10 that the guidance has ended.

[0089] The server 10 may transmit location information and the like of the route search device 50 to the terminal device 30, so that information is shared between the terminal device 30 and the route search device 50.

[0090] For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the user presses the "vehicle position information" button, the terminal device 30 requests the server 10 to transmit information such as the position information of the vehicle in which the vehicle route search device 50 is mounted.

[0091] The terminal device 30 that has received the location information, etc., displays the location of the vehicle in which the route search device 50 is mounted, the estimated arrival time of the vehicle, the travel time of the vehicle, etc., on the display unit 32, as shown in FIG. 6B, for example.

[0092] In this way, the user of the terminal device 30 can know the current location of the vehicle and the expected arrival time, and can make an action plan based on the arrival time, thereby improving the user's usability.

[0093] As described above, according to the information processing device of the present invention, it is possible to present information to the user at an appropriate timing depending on the distance A between the route search device 50 and the terminal device 30.

[0094] This eliminates the inconvenience of being notified of a change in the destination every time the position of the terminal device 30 is updated, and therefore the information processing device of the present invention can improve usability for the user.

[0095] In this embodiment, the route search device 50 may generate route information to the current destination.

[0096] When the route search device 50 generates the route information, a route information generation unit 16 is provided as a functional block in the control unit 51 of the route search device 50. The route information generation unit 16 may generate the route information based on the position information of the current destination transmitted from the server 10.

[0097] Also, in order for an automobile equipped with the route search device 50 to head toward the vicinity of the terminal device 30, the current destination and the like are set based on the position information of the terminal device 30. However, in order for the terminal device 30 to head toward the vicinity of the route search device 50, the current destination and the like may also be set based on the position information of the route search device 50.

[0098] In this case, the current destination setting unit 13 may set the current destination based on the position of the route search device 50. The reference distance setting unit 17 may set the reference distance based on the current destination and the positions of the terminal device 30. The new destination setting unit 14 may set the new destination based on the position of the route search device 50. EXAMPLES

[0099] In the first embodiment, the reference distance B has been described as being determined based on the distance A between the current destination and the new destination, which is determined based on the distance A between the current destination and the route search device 50. The reference distance B may be determined based on the time T required for an automobile equipped with the route search device 50 to arrive at the current destination.

[0100] The reference distance setting unit 17 of the server 10 calculates the time T required for an automobile equipped with the route search device 50 to arrive at the current destination based on the current destination and the position of the route search device 50, and sets the reference distance B based on this required time T. Specifically, the reference distance setting unit 17 calculates the required time taking into consideration the route of general roads and expressways to which the automobile equipped with the route search device 50 is guided, and the congestion situation. The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, so the explanation will be omitted.

[0101] When setting the reference distance B in this manner, as shown in FIG. 7, for example, the reference distance B when the required time T corresponds to the required times T1 to T5 is determined to be B1 to B5.

[0102] As for the specific required time T, when the required time T is 5 minutes or less, it is defined as T1, when it is 5-10 minutes, it is T2, when it is 10-20 minutes, it is T3, when it is 20-40 minutes, it is T4, and when it is 40 minutes or more, it is T5.

[0103] The reference distances B corresponding to the required times T1 to T5 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0104] As in the case where the reference distance B is set according to the distance A, it is preferable to set the reference distance B so that when the required time T is short, the current destination setting unit 13 transmits the position information of the current destination frequently, and as the required time T becomes longer, the interval at which the current destination setting unit 13 transmits the position information of the current destination becomes longer.

[0105] Hereinafter, a process in which the route search device 50 displays route information relating to the current destination on the display unit 52 when the distance between the current destination and the new destination is determined based on the reference distance B and the required time T will be described.

[0106] In this example, as shown in FIG. 8, for the sake of simplicity, the required time T is defined as T1 to T3, and the reference distance B is defined as B1 to B3.

[0107] In FIG. 9, steps S101 to S104, steps S106 to S108, and steps S110 to S111 are the same as the processes in the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

[0108] The current destination setting unit 13 judges whether the required time T is within the T1 range (step S105), and if it is judged that the required time T is within the T1 range (step S105: Y), it judges whether the distance between the current destination and the new destination is equal to or greater than the reference distance B1 (step S106).

[0109] When it is determined in step S105 that the required time T is not within the T1 range (step S105: N), the current destination setting unit 13 determines whether the required time T is within the T2 range (step S109).

[0110] When the current destination setting unit 13 determines that the required time T is within the T2 range (step S109: Y), it determines whether the distance between the current destination and the new destination is equal to or greater than the reference distance B2 (step S111).

[0111] When the current destination setting unit 13 determines in step S109 that the required time T is not within the range of T2 (step S109: N), it determines whether the distance between the current destination and the new destination is equal to or greater than B3 (step S111).

[0112] In this way, by determining the reference distance B according to the required time T, the current destination is transmitted from the current destination setting unit 13 frequently as the required time T becomes shorter, while the frequency of transmitting the current destination from the current destination setting unit 13 decreases as the required time T becomes longer. Therefore, even if the distance A is short due to traffic congestion or the like, the current destination is not transmitted frequently from the current destination setting unit 13, improving the user experience. EXAMPLES

[0113] In the first and second embodiments, the server 10 performs the process of setting the new destination as the current destination. This process may be performed by the route search device 50.

[0114] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10 , the route search device 50 has, as functional blocks of the control unit 51, a position acquisition unit 56, a current destination setting unit 57, a new destination setting unit 58, a reference distance setting unit 59, and a route information generation unit 60.

[0115] The units 56, 57, 58, 59, and 60 have the same functions as those in the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted. Also, the process in which the route search device 50 sets a new destination as a current destination and generates route information is the same as that in the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

[0116] Furthermore, the terminal device 30 and the route search device 50 may be communicatively connected to each other via wireless communication, for example, and data may be exchanged directly between the terminal device 30 and the route search device 50 without going through the server 10 to perform processing. EXAMPLES

[0117] In the first and second embodiments, the server 10 performs the process of setting the new destination as the current destination. This process may be performed by the terminal device 30.

[0118] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the terminal device 30 has, as functional blocks of the control unit 31, a position acquisition unit 36, a current destination setting unit 37, a new destination setting unit 38, a reference distance setting unit 39, and a route information generation unit 40.

[0119] The units 36, 37, 38, 39, and 40 have the same functions as those in the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted. Also, the process in which the terminal device 30 sets a new destination as a current destination and generates route information is the same as that in the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

[0120] As explained in the second embodiment, data may be exchanged directly between the terminal device 30 and the route search device 50 without going through the server 10 to perform processing. EXAMPLES

[0121] In the first to fourth embodiments, the current destination setting unit sets the new destination as the current destination when the distance between the current destination and the new destination is equal to or greater than a reference distance. The current destination may be set when a reference time has elapsed since the time when the current destination was set.

[0122] As shown in FIG. 12, the server 10 has a reference time setting unit 21 as a functional block of the control unit 11 in addition to the above-mentioned functional blocks.

[0123] The reference time setting unit 21 sets a reference time S based on the distance between the current destination and the route search device 50 at the time the current destination was set.

[0124] The reference time S is determined by determining the elapsed time from the time when the current destination is set according to the distance A, for example, as shown in FIG. 13A.

[0125] 13A, the reference times S when the distance A corresponds to distances A1 to A5 are set to S1 to S5. The distances A1 to A5 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0126] The reference times S according to the distances A1 to A5 are defined as follows: the reference distance for distance A1 is S1 (15 seconds), the reference time S for distance S2 is S2 (30 seconds), the reference time S for distance A3 is S3 (60 seconds), the reference time S for distance A4 is S4 (120 seconds), and the reference time S for distance A5 is S5 (300 seconds).

[0127] Therefore, for example, when distance A corresponds to distance A5, which is 10 km or more away, the current destination setting unit 13 is set to transmit the newly set current destination to the route search device 50 when 300 seconds or more, which corresponds to reference time S5, have elapsed.

[0128] In this way, the reference time S may be set so that the current destination setting unit 13 transmits the current destination frequently when the distance A is short, and the interval at which the current destination setting unit 13 transmits the current destination becomes longer as the distance A becomes longer.

[0129] In addition, just as the reference distance A is set according to the required time T, the reference time S may also be set according to the required time T.

[0130] For example, as shown in Fig. 13B, the reference time S can be set to S1 to S5 according to the required times T1 to T5. The numerical values ​​of T1 to T5 and S1 to S5 are the same as those described above, so the description will be omitted.

[0131] In the above-described route guidance system 100, the process in which the route search device 50 displays route information relating to a new destination on the display unit 52 will be described with reference to the flow diagram shown in FIG.

[0132] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13C, for the sake of simplicity, the distance A is defined as A1 to A3, and the reference time S is defined as S1 to S3.

[0133] In FIG. 14, steps S201 to S205 correspond to steps S01 to S05 of the process described in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0134] In step S205, if the current destination setting unit 13 determines that the distance A is within the range of A1 (step S205: Y), it determines whether the reference time S1 has elapsed (step S206).

[0135] When the current destination setting unit 13 determines in step S206 that the reference time S1 has not elapsed (step S206: N), the process returns to step S203.

[0136] When the current destination setting unit 13 determines in step S206 that the reference time S1 has elapsed (step S206: Y), it determines whether the distance between the current destination and the new destination is equal to or greater than B1 (step S207). The subsequent processing is the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described.

[0137] In the judgment of step S205, if the current destination setting unit 13 judges that the distance A is not within the range of A1 (step S205: N), it judges whether the distance A is within the range of A2 (step S210).

[0138] In step S210, when the current destination setting unit 13 determines that the distance A is within the range of A2 (step S210: Y), it determines whether the reference time S2 has elapsed (step S211).

[0139] In the judgment in step S211, when it is judged that the reference time S2 has not elapsed (step S211: N), the process returns to step S203.

[0140] When the current destination setting unit 13 determines in step S211 that the reference time S2 has elapsed (step S211: Y), it determines whether the distance between the current destination and the new destination is equal to or greater than B2 (step S212). The subsequent processing is the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described.

[0141] In step S210, when the current destination setting unit 13 determines that the distance A is not within the range of A2 (step S210: N), it determines whether the reference time S3 has elapsed (step S213).

[0142] In the judgment in step S213, when it is judged that the reference time S3 has not elapsed (step S213: N), the process returns to step S203.

[0143] When the current destination setting unit 13 determines in step S213 that the reference time S3 has elapsed (step S213: Y), it determines whether the distance between the current destination and the new destination is equal to or greater than B3 (step S214). The subsequent processing is the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore the description will be omitted. EXAMPLES

[0144] In the fifth embodiment, the server 10 performs the process of setting the new destination as the current destination. This process may be performed by the route search device 50.

[0145] As shown in FIG. 15, the route search device 50 has a reference time setting unit 61 as a functional block of the control unit 51 in addition to the above-mentioned functional blocks.

[0146] Other configurations are the same as those in the third embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. Also, this process is the same as that in the fifth embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. EXAMPLES

[0147] In the fifth embodiment, the server 10 performs the process of setting the new destination as the current destination. This process may be performed by the terminal device 30.

[0148] As shown in FIG. 16, the terminal device 30 has a reference time setting unit 42 as a functional block of the control unit 31 in addition to the above-mentioned functional blocks.

[0149] Other configurations are the same as those in the fourth embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. Also, this process is the same as that in the fifth embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0150] In the fifth to seventh embodiments, the control units 11, 51, and 31 are implemented by providing the reference distance setting units 17, 61, and 41 as one of the functional blocks, but they may be implemented without the reference distance setting units 17, 61, and 41. In that case, the processes of steps S207, S212, and S214 in the flow chart shown in FIG. 14 are not performed.

[0151] Further, the functional blocks of the control units 11, 31, and 51 described above may be provided in any of the control units 11, 31, and 51, and any of the devices 10, 30, and 50 may appropriately perform the processes described above.

[0152] In the first to seventh embodiments, the route guidance system 100 is configured with the server 10, the terminal device 30, and the route search device 50. However, the route guidance system 100 may be configured with the server 10 and two route search devices 50.

[0153] When the route guidance system 100 is configured in this manner, it is preferable for one route search device 50 to set a current destination, etc. based on the position information of the other route search device 50 in order to head to the vicinity of the other route search device 50.

[0154] Similarly, the route guidance system 100 may be configured with the server 10 and two terminal devices 30.

[0155] When the route guidance system 100 is configured in this manner, in order for one terminal device 30 to head to the vicinity of the other terminal device 30, it is preferable to set the current destination, etc. based on the position information of the other terminal device 30. [Explanation of symbols]

[0156] 10. Information processing device 12 Position acquisition part 13 Current Destination Setting Section 14 New destination setting department 16 Route information generation unit 17 Reference distance setting section 18 Calculation section 21 Reference time setting section 30 Terminal Equipment 50 Route search device

Claims

[Claim 1] A location acquisition unit that acquires the location of another device and the location of the device itself; a current destination setting unit that sets a current destination based on the position of the other device; a reference distance setting unit that sets a reference distance based on a distance between the current destination and the device; a new destination setting unit that sets a new destination based on a changed position of the other device when the position of the other device has changed, The information processing device is characterized in that the current destination setting unit sets the new destination as the current destination when the distance between the current destination and the new destination becomes equal to or greater than the reference distance.

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