Server device

Abstract

To provide a server device and a navigation device that can efficiently detect an error in map data.SOLUTION: A server device collects probe information transmitted from a plurality of navigation devices. The server device includes determination means that determines, on the basis of the probe information when rerouting occurs in the navigation device, an error in map data at a place where the rerouting occurs. As a result, the error in the map data can be efficiently detected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of a system consisting of a plurality of navigation devices and a server device that receives information from the plurality of navigation devices. [Background technology]

[0002] This type of technology is described, for example, in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 describes a system that generates new road information about new roads to be added to map information stored in a navigation device or the like. Specifically, this technology describes that a server device acquires and collects travel locus information (probe data) from the navigation device, and generates new road information based on the collected travel locus information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-164821 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, map data, including road data, stored in navigation devices and server devices may differ from actual roads, etc. In other words, the map data may be incorrect. Errors in map data may occur due to the opening of a new road, errors in data acquisition, changes in construction, and the like. Such incorrect map data may cause problems with map display, vehicle position display, route search, and the like. Therefore, it would be convenient if errors in map data could be efficiently detected. While the technology described in Patent Document 1 above can detect errors in map data caused by the opening of a new road through a new road generation process, it has been difficult for this technology to efficiently detect various errors in map data, including those caused by reasons other than the opening of a new road.

[0005] The above is one example of a problem that the present invention aims to solve. An object of the present invention is to provide a server device and a navigation device that can efficiently detect errors in map data. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention described in the claims is characterized in that it is a server device comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring driving trajectory data and reroute information indicating that a reroute has been performed from a navigation device; and a determination means for determining an error in the map data based on the driving trajectory data when the value of "number of reroutes / number of route travels" calculated based on the reroute information is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0007] The invention described in the claims is characterized in that it is a server device that includes a determination means for determining whether the inclination data is incorrect by comparing data on the inclination angle of the road on which the mobile body traveled, which is included in probe information when a reroute occurs in a navigation device, with inclination data indicating the inclination angle of the road contained in map data for the location where the reroute occurred.

[0008] The invention described in the claims is characterized in that it is a server device that has a determination means for determining that the inclination data indicating the inclination angle of the road contained in the map data of the location where the reroute occurred is incorrect when inclination determination information, which is included in probe information when a reroute occurs in a navigation device and indicates whether a determination has been made about the inclination of the road on which the mobile body has traveled, indicates that said determination has been made. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 shows an example of a schematic configuration of a system realized by a server device and a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a server device and a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] FIG. 10 shows a diagram for specifically explaining tilt determination. [Figure 4] An example of guidance data is shown below. [Figure 5] 1 shows a processing flow performed by the navigation device in this embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 shows a processing flow performed by the server device in this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In one aspect of the present invention, a server device that collects probe information transmitted from a plurality of navigation devices includes a determination means that determines, based on the probe information when a reroute occurs in the navigation device, whether the map data at the location where the reroute occurred is incorrect.

[0011] The server device described above is preferably used to collect probe information transmitted from multiple navigation devices. For example, the probe information may be travel path data indicating the travel path of a vehicle. The determination means determines whether there is an error in the map data at the location where the reroute occurred based on the probe information when a reroute occurred in the navigation device. This is because, since a user generally travels along a set route, when a reroute occurs (i.e., when the user travels on a road that deviates from the route), it is highly likely that the map data at the location where the reroute occurred is incorrect. By determining whether there is an error in the map data when a reroute occurs in this way, it becomes possible to efficiently detect errors in the map data.

[0012] In one aspect of the above-mentioned server device, the determination means calculates the value of "number of reroutes / number of route travels" for each link or for each predetermined group of links including the link, and determines whether there is an error in the map data only for the link or the predetermined group of links for which the value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0013] In this aspect, the determining means can determine whether the map data is incorrect only for links where it is highly likely that the map data is incorrect, thereby reducing the processing load required for this determination.

[0014] In the above server device, preferably, the determining means can determine whether or not there is an error in the inclination data, which indicates the inclination angle of the road, contained in the map data.

[0015] In a preferred example, the probe information includes data on the inclination angle of a road on which a mobile object has traveled, and the determining means determines whether the inclination data is incorrect by comparing the inclination data included in the map data with the inclination angle data included in the probe information, thereby making it possible to appropriately determine whether the inclination data is incorrect.

[0016] In another preferred example, the probe information includes inclination determination information indicating whether the navigation device has determined the inclination of the road on which the mobile object has traveled, and the determination means determines that the inclination data is incorrect if the inclination determination information in the probe information indicates that the determination has been performed, thereby making it possible to easily determine whether the inclination data is incorrect.

[0017] Preferably, in the server device, the probe information includes travel path data of a moving object, and the determination means determines whether the horizontal road data is an error by comparing the horizontal road data included in the map data with the travel path data included in the probe information, thereby making it possible to appropriately determine whether the horizontal road data is an error.

[0018] Preferably, in the server device, the determining means can determine whether or not there is an error in regulation data indicating traffic regulations contained in the map data.

[0019] Preferably, in the above server device, the determining means can determine whether there is an error in the guidance data contained in the map data and used to guide the user of the navigation device.

[0020] Preferably, in the above server device, the determining means can determine whether the congestion data contained in the map data is incorrect.

[0021] In another aspect of the server device, the server device further includes a correcting unit that corrects the map data based on the probe information when the determining unit determines that the map data is incorrect, thereby making it possible to appropriately correct the incorrect map data.

[0022] In another aspect of the present invention, a navigation device capable of communicating with a server device includes a first transmitting means for transmitting probe information to the server device, and a second transmitting means for, when a reroute is performed, transmitting reroute information indicating that the reroute has been performed to the server device so that the server device can determine whether there is an error in the map data of the location where the reroute has been performed.

[0023] According to the above navigation device, by transmitting the reroute information to the server device, the server device can determine whether there is an error in the map data at the location where the reroute has occurred, thereby enabling the server device to efficiently detect errors in the map data. [Example]

[0024] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] [System Configuration] Fig. 1 shows an example of a schematic configuration of a system realized by a server device 1 and a navigation device 2 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, navigation devices 2a to 2c are mounted on different vehicles 3a to 3c, respectively, and transmit and receive information to and from the server device 1. The server device 1 stores information received from the navigation devices 2a to 2c. For example, the navigation device 2 can be a stationary navigation device installed in the vehicle 3, a PND (Portable Navigation Device), or a mobile phone such as a smartphone.

[0026] For the sake of convenience, FIG. 1 shows only three navigation devices 2a to 2c, but in reality, four or more navigation devices 2 exist.

[0027] 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the server device 1 and the navigation device 2. The server device 1 and the navigation device 2 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a wireless network or the like.

[0028] The navigation device 2 mainly includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a GPS receiver 23, a stand-alone positioning device 24, a display unit 25, and a communication unit 26.

[0029] The GPS receiver 23 receives radio waves carrying downlink data including positioning data from multiple GPS satellites. The positioning data is used to detect the absolute position (current position) of the vehicle 3 from latitude and longitude information, etc.

[0030] The stand-alone positioning device 24 includes an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a distance sensor, and the like (not shown). The acceleration sensor is made of, for example, a piezoelectric element, and detects the acceleration of the vehicle 3 and outputs acceleration data. The angular velocity sensor is made of, for example, a vibration gyroscope, and detects the angular velocity of the vehicle 3 when the vehicle 3 changes direction, and outputs angular velocity data and relative direction data. The distance sensor measures vehicle speed pulses consisting of pulse signals generated in accordance with the rotation of the wheels of the vehicle 3.

[0031] The communication unit 26 is configured to be able to perform wireless communication with the server device 1. The communication unit 26 is also configured to be able to receive information distributed from a VICS (Vehicle Information Communication System) center or the like ("VICS" is a registered trademark). The communication unit 26 corresponds to an example of the "first transmission means" and the "second transmission means" in the present invention.

[0032] The display unit 25 is configured with, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays characters, images, etc. to the user. The display unit 25 may also be configured with a touch panel, etc.

[0033] The storage unit 22 is configured by, for example, an HDD, and stores various data used in navigation processing, such as map data.

[0034] The control unit 21 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. (not shown), and controls the entire navigation device 2. For example, the control unit 21 refers to map data stored in the storage unit 22 and performs processing for providing route guidance from a departure point to a destination.

[0035] In this embodiment, the navigation device 2 transmits probe information to the server device 1. For example, the probe information includes data on latitude and longitude coordinates corresponding to the position of the vehicle 3, data on the traveling speed of the vehicle 3, and data on the traveling direction of the vehicle 3. Of the probe information, the data on the latitude and longitude coordinates corresponding to the position of the vehicle 3 corresponds to traveling trajectory data of the vehicle 3. The latitude and longitude coordinates may be values ​​obtained by performing a map matching process on values ​​determined by the GPS receiver 23 and the autonomous positioning device 24 and map data in the storage unit 22. Note that the latitude and longitude coordinates may be values ​​determined by the autonomous positioning device 24 or values ​​received by the GPS receiver 23, or values ​​obtained by correcting the values ​​received by the GPS receiver 23 with the values ​​determined by the autonomous positioning device 24.

[0036] The traveling speed and traveling direction are determined by the self-contained positioning device 24. The traveling speed and traveling direction may be determined by using the direction after map matching processing, or by using the GPS speed and GPS direction calculated from the data received by the GPS receiver 23.

[0037] The probe information also includes data on the tilt angle in the pitch direction of the road on which the vehicle 3 has traveled. Such tilt angle is determined by an acceleration sensor in the autonomous positioning device 24. In addition to this, the probe information may also include data indicating the type of road on which the vehicle 3 has traveled (such as a main road or a narrow street), data on the destination set in the navigation device 2, data on the route set in the navigation device 2, and the like.

[0038] On the other hand, the server device 1 mainly includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13.

[0039] The communication unit 13 is configured to be able to perform wireless communication with the navigation device 2. Specifically, the communication unit 13 receives probe information transmitted from a plurality of navigation devices 2.

[0040] The storage unit 12 stores probe information transmitted from a plurality of navigation devices 2. The storage unit 12 also stores map data similar to the map data stored in the navigation device 2.

[0041] The control unit 11 has a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. (not shown), and controls the entire server device 1. In this embodiment, the control unit 11 performs processing such as determining errors in map data based on probe information (details will be described later). The control unit 11 corresponds to an example of the "determining means" and "correcting means" of the present invention.

[0042] [Control method] Next, an outline of a control method performed by the control unit 11 in the server device 1 in this embodiment will be described.

[0043] In this embodiment, the control unit 11 in the server device 1 determines whether there is an error in the map data stored in the storage unit 12, based on the probe information transmitted from multiple navigation devices 2. Specifically, the control unit 11 determines whether there is an error in the map data for a location where a reroute has occurred in the navigation device 2. This is because, since a user basically drives along a set route, when a reroute has occurred (i.e., when the user drives on a road that deviates from the route), it is highly likely that the map data for the location where such a reroute has occurred is incorrect.

[0044] More specifically, the navigation device 2 transmits reroute information indicating that a reroute has been performed to the server device 1 (the reroute information may be included in the probe information), and the server device determines whether there is an error in the map data based on this reroute information. In this case, the server device calculates the value of "number of reroutes / number of route travels" for each arbitrary link (meaning a single link or a predetermined group of links including that link; the same applies hereinafter) based on the reroute information, and determines whether there is an error in the map data only for links for which the value of "number of reroutes / number of route travels" is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. This is because links with a large value of "number of reroutes / number of route travels" are highly likely to have incorrect map data, and in order to prevent an increase in processing load, the server device performs the determination only for such links. Note that the "number of reroutes" corresponds to the number of times a reroute has occurred on a given link, and the "number of route travels" corresponds to the number of times a given link has been traveled on a route.

[0045] Furthermore, based on the probe information about the location where the reroute occurred, the control unit 11 determines whether there are any errors in the map data, such as errors in horizontal road data, slope data indicating the slope angle of the road, regulation data indicating traffic regulations, guidance data used to guide the user, or congestion data. If an error in the map data is detected, the control unit 11 corrects the error based on the probe information. The method for determining whether there is an error in the map data and the method for correcting the map data will be described in detail below.

[0046] In this specification, "map data" refers to data including horizontal road data, slope data, regulation data, guidance data, and congestion data. "Horizontal road data" refers to data that defines roads (links) and has at least position coordinates (latitude and longitude) on a horizontal plane. "Congestion data" refers to data such as congestion statistical information (traffic congestion forecast information statistically derived from past information) and congestion information transmitted by VICS or the like, and is associated with links. For example, "traffic congestion data" is associated with congestion conditions (congestion, congestion, smooth) for each time period.

[0047] For reference, the method of using the inclination data will now be described. The inclination data is data that indicates the inclination angle of a road (link) in the pitch direction. The inclination data is a type of map data that is associated with a link. Such inclination data is used when the navigation device 2 performs a process of matching the vehicle position to a road contained in the map data (so-called map matching). Specifically, the navigation device 2 compares the inclination angle of the road detected by the acceleration sensor in the autonomous positioning device 24 with the inclination angle in the inclination data contained in the map data to determine the road on which the vehicle 3 is traveling (hereinafter, this determination will be referred to as "inclination determination"). Then, map matching is performed based on the determination result. Note that inclination determination is basically performed only for roads for which inclination data exists.

[0048] FIG. 3 is a diagram for specifically explaining the inclination determination. FIG. 3(a) shows a schematic diagram of roads A and B (schematic representation of images displayed by the navigation device 2) at the top, and road data for roads A and B at the bottom. Specifically, in FIG. 3(a), "○" indicates road data for road A, and "■" indicates road data for road A. These road data are different from the horizontal road data described above and correspond to vertical road data. More specifically, the road data corresponds to data (inclination data) in which the inclination angle of the road is associated with position coordinates. As shown in FIG. 3(a), it can be seen that road A is a flat road, and road B is a road with an incline. In one example, road A is a road corresponding to the main road of a highway, and road B is a road extending from an exit of the highway.

[0049] Figure 3(b) shows an example of inclination determination. In Figure 3(b), "▲" indicates the inclination angle detected by the acceleration sensor in the autonomous positioning device 24, i.e., the inclination angle of the road on which the vehicle 3 is traveling. The navigation device 2 performs inclination determination by comparing the detected inclination angle with road data (inclination data) for roads A and B. In this case, the detected inclination angle roughly matches the road data for road B, so the navigation device 2 determines that the vehicle 3 is traveling on road B, which has an incline, and displays the vehicle's position on road B on the map (map matching).

[0050] Such inclination determination makes it possible to appropriately identify the road on which the vehicle 3 is traveling, even in a location where the main road and the road extending from the exit are close to each other or where the GPS receiver 23 does not perform positioning. Also, it is possible to appropriately prevent erroneous determination of the road on which the vehicle 3 is traveling, which is caused by GPS positioning errors.

[0051] Next, for reference, the above-mentioned guidance data will be described. Guidance data is data used to guide a user. The guidance data is data indicating, for example, the direction in which the user is guided (guidance direction), the name of a guidance point, the distance to the guidance point, etc., and also includes image data such as characters and illustrations to represent these. Furthermore, the guidance data is a type of map data, and is associated with a link.

[0052] An example of guidance data is shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 4 shows guidance data for guiding (directing) a vehicle to an entrance to a highway.

[0053] [Processing flow] Next, the processing flow in this embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

[0054] 5 shows a processing flow performed by the navigation device 2 in this embodiment. This processing flow mainly includes a process for determining whether or not to perform a reroute and a process for transmitting reroute information when a reroute is performed. This processing flow is also repeatedly executed by the control unit 21 in the navigation device 2.

[0055] First, in step S101, the control unit 21 determines whether or not a route has been set. If a route has been set (step S101: Yes), the process proceeds to step S102.

[0056] In step S102, the control unit 21 determines whether the vehicle 3 is not traveling on a road on the route. For example, the control unit 21 makes such a determination by comparing the current position (the latitude and longitude coordinates described above) of the vehicle 3 with horizontal road data for the roads on the set route. If the vehicle 3 is not traveling on a road on the route (step S102: Yes), the process proceeds to step S103.

[0057] In step S103, the control unit 21 performs a reroute. Specifically, because the vehicle 3 is not traveling on a road on the initially set route, the control unit 21 recalculates (re-searches) a new route to the destination based on the current position of the vehicle 3. For example, the control unit 21 performs a reroute when the vehicle 3 moves 50 m or more away from the initially set route. Then, the process proceeds to step S104.

[0058] In step S104, the control unit 21 transmits reroute information indicating that a reroute has been performed to the server device 1. For example, the control unit 21 transmits the reroute information together with the probe information to the server device 1, or transmits the probe information including the reroute information to the server device 1. Then, the process ends.

[0059] On the other hand, if a route has not been set (step S101: No) and the vehicle 3 is traveling on a road on the route (step S102: No), the process proceeds to step S105. In this case, the control unit 21 does not perform rerouting (step S105). Then, the process ends.

[0060] Next, Fig. 6 shows a processing flow performed by the server device 1 in this embodiment. This processing flow mainly includes processing for determining whether or not the map data is incorrect and processing for correcting incorrect map data.

[0061] The processing flow shown in Fig. 6 is performed for each link (for each link or for each predetermined group of links including the link in question). This processing flow is performed using a plurality of pieces of probe information collected over a predetermined period (for example, the most recent three months). This processing flow is repeatedly executed by the control unit 11 in the server device 1.

[0062] First, in step S201, the control unit 11 calculates the value of "number of reroutes / number of route travels" for the link being processed based on the reroute information from the navigation device 2, and determines whether the calculated value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. If the value of "number of reroutes / number of route travels" is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (step S201: Yes), the process proceeds to step S202. In this case, there is a high possibility that the map data stored in the storage unit 12 is incorrect, so in step S202 and thereafter, processing is performed to identify errors in the map data and to correct the incorrect map data. On the other hand, if the value of "number of reroutes / number of route travels" is less than the predetermined value (step S201: No), the process ends. In this case, there is not a high possibility that the map data stored in the storage unit 12 is incorrect, so processing to identify errors in the map data, etc. is not performed.

[0063] In step S202, the control unit 11 determines whether there is a problem with the horizontal road data contained in the map data based on the probe information when a reroute occurs on the link being processed. Specifically, the control unit 11 determines whether there is a problem with the horizontal road data by comparing the travel path data contained in the probe information with the horizontal road data contained in the map data. For example, if the road position (latitude, longitude) or shape indicated by the travel path data and the horizontal road data differ, the control unit 11 determines that the horizontal road data is incorrect.

[0064] If there is a problem with the horizontal road data (step S202: Yes), the process proceeds to step S203. If there is no problem with the horizontal road data (step S202: No), the process proceeds to step S204. In step S203, the control unit 11 corrects the horizontal road data for the link being processed based on the probe information when a reroute occurred for the link. Specifically, the control unit 11 corrects the horizontal road data contained in the map data based on the traveling trajectory data contained in the probe information. Then, the process proceeds to step S204.

[0065] In step S204, the control unit 11 determines whether there is a problem with the tilt data contained in the map data based on the probe information when a reroute occurs on the link being processed. In one example, the control unit 11 determines whether there is a problem with the tilt data by comparing the tilt angle data contained in the probe information (tilt angle data detected by the acceleration sensor in the autonomous positioning device 24) with the tilt data contained in the map data. In this example, the control unit 11 determines that the tilt data is incorrect when the tilt angle data contained in the probe information differs from the tilt data contained in the map data.

[0066] In another example, the control unit 11 determines whether there is a problem with the inclination data based on whether the navigation device 2 has performed the inclination determination described above, without using the inclination angle data contained in the probe information. In this example, when the navigation device 2 has performed the inclination determination, it transmits information indicating that the inclination determination has been performed (inclination determination information) to the server device 1, and the control unit 11 of the server device 1 determines that the inclination data is incorrect if the information indicates that the inclination determination has been performed. Note that the inclination determination information may be included in the probe information.

[0067] If there is a problem with the inclination data (step S204: Yes), the process proceeds to step S205. If there is no problem with the inclination data (step S204: No), the process proceeds to step S206. In step S205, the control unit 11 corrects the inclination data for the link being processed based on the probe information when a reroute occurred for the link. Specifically, the control unit 11 corrects the inclination data in the map data using the inclination angle data in the probe information. Then, the process proceeds to step S206.

[0068] In step S206, the control unit 11 determines whether there is a problem with the regulation data contained in the map data, based on the probe information when a reroute occurs on the link being processed. Specifically, the control unit 11 determines whether there is a problem with the regulation data, based on the travel path data contained in the probe information and the content of the traffic regulation in the regulation data contained in the map data. For example, if the traffic regulation in the regulation data indicates that a right turn is prohibited (in this case, a route is set that requires straight travel or a right turn), but the travel path data indicates that the vehicle 3 is turning right, the control unit 11 determines that the regulation data is incorrect (the same applies to no left turns or no straight travel, etc.). Also, for example, if the regulation data indicates that a road is not subject to any particular traffic regulation, such as a one-way street or road closure (in this case, a route is set that requires travel on this road), but the travel path data indicates that the vehicle 3 is traveling in a detour around this road, the control unit 11 determines that the regulation data is incorrect.

[0069] If there is a problem with the restricted data (step S206: Yes), the process proceeds to step S207, and if there is no problem with the restricted data (step S206: No), the process proceeds to step S208.

[0070] In step S207, the control unit 11 modifies the restriction data for the link (which may include the node) based on the probe information when a reroute occurs on the link being processed. Specifically, the control unit 11 modifies the restriction data contained in the map data based on the travel path data contained in the probe information. For example, if the traffic regulation in the restriction data indicates that a right turn is prohibited, but the travel path data indicates that the vehicle 3 is turning right, the control unit 11 modifies the restriction data to remove the traffic regulation such as a right turn prohibition (the same applies to a left turn prohibition or a straight-through prohibition). Furthermore, for example, if the restriction data indicates that a road does not have any particular traffic regulations such as a one-way street or a road closure, but the travel path data indicates that the vehicle 3 is traveling to detour around the road, the control unit 11 modifies the restriction data to add a traffic regulation such as a one-way street or a road closure. After step S207, the process proceeds to step S208.

[0071] In step S208, the control unit 11 determines whether there is a problem with the guidance data contained in the map data, based on the probe information when a reroute occurred on the link being processed. Specifically, the control unit 11 determines whether there is a problem with the guidance data, based on the travel path data contained in the probe information and the contents of the guidance data contained in the map data. For example, if the travel path data indicates that the vehicle 3 has traveled in a direction different from the guidance direction indicated by the guidance data (in this case, it is assumed that the route is set to cause the vehicle 3 to travel in the guidance direction indicated by the guidance data), the control unit 11 determines that the guidance data is incorrect.

[0072] If there is a problem with the guide data (step S208: Yes), the process proceeds to step S209, and if there is no problem with the guide data (step S208: No), the process proceeds to step S210.

[0073] In step S209, the control unit 11 modifies the guidance data for the link (which may include the node) based on the probe information when a reroute occurs on the link being processed. Specifically, the control unit 11 modifies the guidance data contained in the map data based on the travel path data contained in the probe information. For example, if the travel path data indicates that the vehicle 3 has traveled in a direction different from the guidance direction indicated by the guidance data, the control unit 11 modifies the guidance direction indicated by the guidance data to the direction in which the vehicle 3 has traveled. In this case, the control unit 11 also modifies image data such as text and illustrations. Then, the process proceeds to step S210.

[0074] In step S210, the control unit 11 determines whether there is a problem with the congestion data contained in the map data, based on the probe information when a reroute occurs on the link being processed. Specifically, the control unit 11 determines whether there is a problem with the congestion data, based on the travel path data contained in the probe information and the content of the congestion data contained in the map data. For example, if the traffic congestion data indicates that a road is congested, but the travel path data indicates that the vehicle 3 is traveling on that road (that is, basically, a route is set based on the traffic congestion data to avoid roads that are congested, but the vehicle 3 is traveling on a road that is considered to be congested without traveling on a road on the route), the control unit 11 determines that the congestion data is incorrect.

[0075] If there is a problem with the congestion data (step S210: Yes), the process proceeds to step S211, and if there is no problem with the congestion data (step S210: No), the process ends.

[0076] In step S211, the control unit 11 modifies the congestion data for the link being processed based on the probe information when a reroute occurs on the link. Specifically, the control unit 11 modifies the congestion data contained in the map data based on the driving trajectory data contained in the probe information. For example, if the congestion data indicates that a road is congested, but the driving trajectory data indicates that the vehicle 3 is traveling on that road, the control unit 11 modifies the congestion data to indicate that the road is not congested. Then, the processing ends.

[0077] According to the processing flow shown in FIG. 6, errors in the map data can be determined efficiently and appropriately, and incorrect map data can be corrected appropriately.

[0078] In the above, the value of "number of reroutes / number of route traveled" is calculated for each arbitrary link (one link or a predetermined group of links including that link), and errors in the map data are determined only for links whose value of "number of reroutes / number of route traveled" is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. However, we will now provide a more detailed explanation of "a predetermined group of links including that link."

[0079] For example, as described above, if the control unit 21 is configured to perform a reroute when the vehicle 3 deviates by 50 meters or more from the initially set route, and if it takes a long time for the reroute to occur after the vehicle 3 deviates from the route, it may be necessary to take appropriate action even if the cause of the reroute is not the link on which the vehicle 3 is located at the time, but a surrounding link. A more specific example is when the link on which the vehicle is traveling at the time the reroute occurs is different from the link on which the map data contains an error, such as when the length of the link on which the map data contains an error is 50 meters or less. In such cases, by detecting a group of links including multiple links connected to the link on which the vehicle 3 is located, it is possible to detect all links on which the map data contains an error.

[0080] Furthermore, even if a link is not connected to the link where the vehicle 3 is located, the link group can include surrounding links. In this way, when new topography or road data is changed due to construction work or the like, map data related to surrounding links can also be detected as links whose data should be corrected at the same time.

[0081] [Variations] In the above example, the server device 1 determines whether to reroute based on the reroute information from the navigation device 1. However, this is not limiting. That is, the server device 1 can also determine whether a reroute has occurred in the navigation device 1 by acquiring route data set in the navigation device 1 as probe information and determining whether the vehicle 3 is traveling on roads on the route. In this example, the server device 1 compares the travel trajectory data contained in the probe information with horizontal road data for the set route to determine whether the vehicle 3 is traveling on roads on the route. If the vehicle 3 is not traveling on a road on the route, the server device 1 can determine that a reroute has occurred. Then, based on the reroute determined in this manner, the server device 1 can calculate the value of the "number of reroutes / number of route travels" described above.

[0082] Although the above example illustrates the use of data on the pitch direction tilt angle of the road as the tilt data, the present invention is not limited to this. In other examples, data on the altitude of the road or data indicating whether the road is on an upslope or downslope can be used as the tilt data. When altitude data is used as the tilt data, the altitude detected by the GPS receiver 23 can be compared with the altitude as the tilt data to determine whether there is a problem with the tilt data. On the other hand, when data indicating whether the road is on an upslope or downslope is used as the tilt data, the acceleration sensor in the autonomous positioning device 24 detects whether the vehicle 3 is ascending or descending, and compares the detected state of the vehicle 3 with the road gradient (upslope or downslope) indicated by the tilt data to determine whether there is a problem with the tilt data. Furthermore, even when using tilt data according to such other examples, the above-described tilt determination can be performed in a similar manner (see, for example, FIG. 3 ), and whether there is a problem with the tilt data can be determined depending on whether the tilt determination is performed.

[0083] The present invention is not limited to application to a general navigation device 2, but can also be applied to a PND (Portable Navigation Device). Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to a portable terminal device such as a smartphone having a navigation function.

[0084] As described above, the embodiments are not limited to those described above, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims and the gist or idea of ​​the invention that can be read from the entire specification. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1. Server device 2. Navigation devices 3 vehicles 11, 21 Control unit 12, 22 Storage section 13, 26 Communications Department 23 GPS receiver 24 Standalone positioning device

Claims

1. an acquisition means for acquiring, from a navigation device, travel locus data and reroute information indicating that a reroute has been performed; a determining means for determining whether the map data is incorrect based on the travel locus data when the value of "number of reroutes / number of route travels" calculated based on the reroute information is equal to or greater than a predetermined value; A server device comprising:

2. 2. The server device according to claim 1, wherein said determining means does not determine that the map data is incorrect when the value of "number of reroutes / number of times the route is driven" is less than a predetermined value.

3. A server device characterized by comprising a determination means for determining whether the inclination data is incorrect by comparing data on the inclination angle of the road on which a mobile object has traveled, which is included in probe information when a reroute occurs in a navigation device, with inclination data indicating the inclination angle of the road contained in map data for the location where the reroute occurred.

4. A server device characterized by comprising a determination means for determining that inclination data indicating the inclination angle of the road contained in map data for the location where the reroute occurred is incorrect when inclination determination information, which is included in probe information when a reroute occurs in a navigation device and indicates whether a determination has been made about the inclination of the road on which the mobile body has traveled, indicates that said determination has been made.

5. 5. The server device according to claim 3, wherein there are a plurality of the navigation devices.

6. The server device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the determination means calculates the value of "number of reroutes / number of route traveled" for each link or for each predetermined group of links consisting of a plurality of links including the link, and determines that the map data is incorrect only for the link or the predetermined group of links for which the value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

7. the probe information includes travel locus data of a moving object; 7. The server device according to claim 3, wherein the determining means determines whether the horizontal road data included in the map data is an error by comparing the horizontal road data included in the map data with the driving path data included in the probe information.

8. 8. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines whether regulation data indicating traffic regulations contained in the map data is incorrect.

9. 9. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the determining means determines whether there is an error in guidance data contained in the map data and used to guide a user of the navigation device.

10. 10. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the determining means determines whether the congestion data included in the map data is incorrect.

11. 11. The server device according to claim 1, further comprising: a correcting unit that corrects the map data based on the probe information when the determining unit determines that the map data is incorrect.

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