Navigation device, navigation method, and program

Abstract

To provide a navigation device, a navigation method, and a program capable of proposing so that a user of a vehicle arriving at a common destination earlier can effectively use a waiting time until a user of another vehicle arrives at the destination.SOLUTION: In the navigation device 1 according to the present disclosure, the acquisition unit 11 acquires n (2 ≤ n (n is a natural number)) A position of a common destination of the n vehicles and an estimated time of arrival of each of the n vehicles at the destination are acquired. The proposal unit 12 calculates a first time difference that is a time difference between an estimated time of arrival of an n-m-th (1 ≤ m ≤ n-1 (m is a natural number)) vehicle at the destination and an estimated time of arrival of an n-th vehicle at the destination. When the first time difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the proposal unit 12 proposes at least one spot around the destination selected based on the first time difference and the position of the destination to the user of the vehicle that is the n-m-th to arrive at the destination.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a navigation device, a navigation method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for selecting an appropriate detour spot between a departure point and a destination when there is time to spare, and presenting a route including the selected detour spot to a vehicle user.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a technology for generating driving routes for multiple vehicles when the destination is the same for multiple vehicles so that the difference in estimated arrival times at the destination between the multiple vehicles falls within an allowable time difference range. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-139553 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2019 / 189525 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The technologies disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 have the problem that when multiple vehicles share a common destination, the user of a vehicle that arrives at the common destination first cannot effectively use the waiting time until the users of the other vehicles arrive at their destinations.

[0006] In consideration of such problems, the present disclosure aims to provide a navigation device, a navigation method, and a program that can suggest ways for a user of a vehicle that arrives at a common destination first to effectively use the waiting time until a user of another vehicle arrives at the destination. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The navigation device of the present disclosure includes: an acquisition unit that acquires a location of a common destination of n (2≦n (n is a natural number)) vehicles and an estimated arrival time of each of the n vehicles at the destination; and a suggestion unit that determines the order in which the n vehicles will arrive at the destination based on the estimated arrival times of each of the n vehicles at the destination, calculates a first time difference that is the time difference between the estimated arrival time of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination nm (1≦m≦n-1 (m is a natural number))th and the estimated arrival time of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination nth, and, if the first time difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, suggests to a user of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination at least one spot that is selected based on the first time difference and the location of the destination.

[0008] The navigation method of the present disclosure comprises: The computer Obtaining the location of a common destination of n (2≦n (n is a natural number)) vehicles and the estimated time of arrival at the destination for each of the n vehicles; Based on the estimated arrival times of each of the n vehicles at the destination, the order in which the n vehicles will arrive at the destination is determined, a first time difference is calculated which is the time difference between the estimated arrival time of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination nm (1≦m≦n-1 (m is a natural number))th (nm) and the estimated arrival time of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination nth, and if the first time difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, at least one spot near the destination selected based on the first time difference and the location of the destination is suggested to the user of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination nm.

[0009] The program of the present disclosure is Obtaining the location of a common destination of n (2≦n (n is a natural number)) vehicles and the estimated time of arrival at the destination for each of the n vehicles; The computer executes a process of determining the order in which the n vehicles will arrive at the destination based on the estimated arrival times of each of the n vehicles at the destination, calculating a first time difference which is the time difference between the estimated arrival time of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination nm (1≦m≦n-1 (m is a natural number))th and the estimated arrival time of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination nth, and if the first time difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, suggesting to a user of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination at least one spot selected based on the first time difference and the location of the destination. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] By taking such problems into consideration, the present disclosure can provide a navigation device, a navigation method, and a program that can suggest ways for a user of a vehicle that arrives at a common destination first to effectively use the waiting time until a user of another vehicle arrives at the destination. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a navigation device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a suggested operation of the navigation device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing a specific example of the process of step S108 in the navigation device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a list of spots around destination X suggested by the navigation device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a map including the positions of spots around destination X suggested by the navigation device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a proposal update operation of the navigation device according to the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and for clarity of explanation, duplicate explanations will be omitted as necessary.

[0013] (First embodiment) First, the configuration of a navigation device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a navigation device 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation device 1 is a device that provides navigation to users of n (2≦n (n is a natural number)) vehicles. The n vehicles are referred to as the first vehicle to the nth vehicle, respectively. Each of the n vehicles has a common destination.

[0015] The navigation device 1 is realized by, for example, a server. The navigation device 1 communicates with each of user terminals 20-1, which is a terminal used by a user of a first vehicle, to user terminal 20-n, which is a terminal used by a user of an n-th vehicle, via a network. Here, user terminals 20-1 to 20-n are collectively referred to as user terminals 20. Furthermore, wireless communication is used as the communication method.

[0016] The navigation device 1 may be realized by at least one of the user terminals 20-1 to 20-n, or by at least one of the computers mounted on the first to n-th vehicles.

[0017] User terminal 20-1 is a terminal such as a smartphone or tablet used by the user of the first vehicle. User terminal 20-1 is not limited to a terminal used by the user of the first vehicle, but may also be an in-vehicle device such as a car navigation system installed in the first vehicle. User terminals 20-2 to 20-n are similar to user terminal 20-1.

[0018] The navigation device 1 includes an acquisition unit 11 and a proposal unit 12. The navigation device 1 performs the following proposal process and proposal update process.

[0019] <Proposal process of navigation device 1> The acquisition unit 11 acquires the position of the common destination of the first to n-th vehicles. For example, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the position of the common destination of the first to n-th vehicles from any of the user terminals 20-1 to 20-n. The acquisition unit 11 also acquires the estimated time of arrival of the first to n-th vehicles at their respective destinations from each of the user terminals 20-1 to 20-n. The acquisition unit 11 may also acquire the respective positions of the first to n-th vehicles from each of the user terminals 20-1 to 20-n. The acquisition unit 11 may also estimate the estimated time of arrival of the first to n-th vehicles at their respective destinations based on the position of the common destination and the respective positions of the first to n-th vehicles.

[0020] The proposing unit 12 determines the order in which the first to n-th vehicles will arrive at the destination based on the estimated arrival times of each of the first to n-th vehicles at the destination. The order in which the vehicles will arrive at the destination is determined as 1st, ..., nm (1≦m≦n-1 (m is a natural number)), ..., nth. Here, the vehicle that arrives at the destination nth is the vehicle that arrives last at the destination. Also, the vehicle that arrives at the destination nmth is the vehicle that arrives first at the destination.

[0021] The proposing unit 12 calculates a time difference A1 between the estimated arrival time of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination in the nm-th order and the estimated arrival time of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination in the n-th order. The time difference A1 indicates the waiting time that the user of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination in the nm-th order waits for the user of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination in the n-th order after arriving at the destination. The time difference A1 is also called a first time difference.

[0022] The suggestion unit 12 determines whether the time difference A1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold is set to the minimum time required to stroll around the spots. If the time difference A1 is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, the suggestion unit 12 suggests at least one spot near the destination to the user of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination in the nm-th order, based on the time difference A1. The spot may be a restaurant such as a cafe or a family restaurant, a retail store such as a general store or a clothing store, or a public facility such as a museum or a park. Specifically, the suggestion unit 12 searches for at least one spot near the destination and the required travel time for each of the at least one spot. The at least one spot near the destination is at least one spot within a predetermined range from the destination. The predetermined range is set to a distance within walking distance of the destination. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the user will get off the vehicle after arriving at the destination. The required travel time refers to the travel time to the spot, the stay time at the spot (e.g., eating, touring the spot, etc.), and the time required for walking around the spot. Furthermore, the searched spots are preferably facilities that the user can easily leave along the way, since the estimated arrival time of the nth vehicle arriving at the destination may change. The suggestion unit 12 suggests to the user of the nth vehicle arriving at the destination at least one spot whose required travel time is within the time difference A1 of the estimated arrival time at the destination, from among the at least one spot near the searched destination. For example, the suggestion unit 12 suggests to the user terminal 20 a list of at least one spot near destination X.

[0023] Before calculating the time difference A1, the suggestion unit 12 may calculate a time difference B between the estimated arrival time of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination in the nm-th order and the current time. The time difference B is, in other words, the time indicating how much time it will take for the vehicle that will arrive in the nm-th order to reach the destination. If the time difference B is less than a predetermined threshold, the suggestion unit 12 may calculate the time difference A1 and suggest at least one spot near the destination to the user of the vehicle that will arrive in the nm-th order at the destination. The predetermined threshold is set to a time indicating how long before the estimated arrival time at the destination the spot suggestion should be made to the user of the vehicle. The threshold is, for example, 5 minutes.

[0024] <Updating process of suggestions from navigation device 1> After at least one spot in the vicinity of the destination is proposed to the user of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination in the nm-th order, the acquisition unit 11 again acquires the estimated arrival times at the destination for each of the first to n-th vehicles. Here, "after being proposed" means, for example, immediately after the proposal, when a predetermined time has passed after the proposal, or when a time difference A2 (described later) after the proposal is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. The predetermined time is preferably, for example, about 2 to 5 minutes, but may be set arbitrarily.

[0025] The proposal unit 12 re-determines the order in which the first to n-th vehicles will arrive at the destination based on the estimated arrival times of each of the first to n-th vehicles at the destination. The proposal unit 12 then determines whether the estimated arrival time of the n-th vehicle at the destination has changed by a predetermined threshold or more. If the estimated arrival time of the n-th vehicle at the destination has changed by a predetermined threshold or more, the proposal unit 12 calculates a time difference A2 between the estimated arrival time of the vehicle proposed to the spot for the user and the estimated arrival time of the n-th vehicle at the destination. The time difference A2 is the waiting time that the user of the vehicle proposed to the spot waits for the user of the vehicle arriving at the destination n-th after arriving at the destination. The time difference A2 is also referred to as a second time difference. The proposal unit 12 then determines whether the time difference A2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold is set to the minimum time required for exploring the spot. If the time difference A2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the suggestion unit 12 re-suggests at least one spot in the vicinity of the destination selected based on the time difference A2 and the location of the destination to the user of the vehicle for which the spot was proposed. For example, the suggestion unit 12 re-suggests a list of at least one spot in the vicinity of destination X to the user terminal 20 of the vehicle for which the spot was proposed. On the other hand, if the time difference A2 is less than the predetermined threshold, the suggestion unit 12 suggests to the user of the vehicle for which the spot was proposed that they stop exploring the spots. For example, the suggestion unit 12 suggests to the user terminal 20 of the vehicle for which the spot was proposed that they stop exploring the spots.

[0026] Next, the proposed operation of the navigation device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the suggested operation of the navigation device 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, first, in step S101, the acquisition unit 11 of the navigation device 1 acquires the position of the common destination X of the first to n-th vehicles. Next, in step S102, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the estimated arrival times of the first to n-th vehicles at their respective destinations.

[0028] Next, in step S103, the proposing unit 12 determines the order in which the first to n-th vehicles will arrive at the destination X based on the estimated arrival times of the first to n-th vehicles at their respective destinations.

[0029] Next, in step S104, the proposing unit 12 calculates the time difference B between the estimated arrival time of the vehicle that will arrive at destination X in the nm-th order and the current time. The time difference B is, in other words, the time that indicates how much time it will take for the vehicle that will arrive in the nm-th order at destination X to arrive at destination X.

[0030] Next, in step S105, the suggestion unit 12 determines whether the time difference B is less than a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold is set to a time indicating how long before the scheduled arrival time at destination X the spot suggestion is made to the vehicle user. If it is determined that the time difference B is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold (YES in step S105), the process proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, if it is determined that the time difference B is not less than the predetermined threshold (NO in step S105), the process returns to step S102.

[0031] Next, in step S106, the proposing unit 12 calculates the time difference A1 between the estimated arrival time of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination X in the nm-th order and the estimated arrival time of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination X in the n-th order. The time difference A1 indicates the waiting time that the user of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination in the nm-th order waits for the user of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination in the n-th order after arriving at the destination.

[0032] Next, in step S107, the suggestion unit 12 determines whether the time difference A1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold is set to the minimum time required to stroll around the spots. If it is determined that the time difference A1 is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold (YES in step S107), the process proceeds to step S108. On the other hand, if it is determined that the time difference A1 is not equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold (NO in step S107), the process ends.

[0033] Next, in step S108, the suggestion unit 12 generates a list of at least one spot in the vicinity of the destination X. The at least one spot in the vicinity of the destination X is at least one spot within a predetermined range from the destination X. The predetermined range is set to a distance range that the user can walk from the destination X.

[0034] Next, the process of step S108 of the navigation device 1 according to the first embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a specific example of the process of step S108 of the navigation device 1 according to the first embodiment. 3, in step S1081, the suggestion unit 12 searches for at least one spot near the destination X and the required time for each of the at least one spot, based on the location of the destination X. The required time is the time required for traveling to the spot, staying at the spot (for example, eating, touring the spot, etc.), walking around the spot, etc. For example, the suggestion unit 12 searches for at least one spot near the destination X and the required time for each of the at least one spot from information on the Internet or information registered in advance in the navigation device 1.

[0036] Next, in step S1082, the suggestion unit 12 selects at least one spot whose required time falls within the range of the time difference A1 from the at least one spot found in step S1081. Note that the suggestion unit 12 may include the walking time from the destination X to each spot in the required time for each spot.

[0037] Next, in step S1083, the proposal unit 12 selects at least one spot that matches the hobbies and preferences of the user of the vehicle that will arrive at destination X in the nm-th order from the at least one spot selected in step S1082. For example, the proposal unit 12 acquires the hobbies and preferences information of the user of the vehicle that will arrive at destination X in the nm-th order from the user's past behavior history registered in the navigation device 1. Then, the proposal unit 12 selects at least one spot that matches the hobbies and preferences of the user of the vehicle that will arrive at destination X in the nm-th order. Note that the proposal unit 12 does not have to perform the process of step S1083.

[0038] Next, in step S1084, the suggestion unit 12 generates a list of at least one spot selected in step S1083.

[0039] Returning to the description of Fig. 2, next, in step S109, the proposing unit 12 proposes a list of at least one spot around destination X to the user of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination in the nm-th order.

[0040] Next, a list of at least one spot in the vicinity of the destination X proposed by the navigation device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a list of at least one spot in the vicinity of destination X suggested by the navigation device 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the list of at least one spot near destination X includes spot x1, spot x2, spot x3, and spot x4. Spot x1 is a general store. The required travel time to spot x1 is 10 minutes. Spot x2 is a restaurant. The required travel time to spot x2 is 15 minutes. Spot x3 is a restaurant. The required travel time to spot x3 is 15 minutes. Spot x4 is a museum. The required travel time to spot x4 is 50 minutes. Also, the "waiting time" in this figure indicates the waiting time available for a user of a vehicle arriving at the destination nm-th to search for spots after arriving at destination X. In other words, the "waiting time" is the time difference A1 between the estimated arrival time of the vehicle arriving at destination X nm-th and the estimated arrival time of the vehicle arriving at destination X n-th. The required travel times for spots x1 to x4 are all within 60 minutes of all the "waiting times."

[0042] In the above-mentioned step S109, the suggestion unit 12 may suggest to the user of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination in the nm-th order a list of at least one spot in the vicinity of destination X, as well as a map including the location of the at least one spot.

[0043] Next, a map including the position of at least one spot in the vicinity of destination X proposed by the navigation device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0044] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a map including the position of at least one spot in the vicinity of destination X suggested by the navigation device 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the suggested map allows the user to see the relationship between the positions of spots x1 to x4 and the position of destination X.

[0045] As described above, the navigation device 1 according to the first embodiment suggests spots in the vicinity of destination X to a user of a vehicle that is the nm-th to arrive at destination X, i.e., the first to arrive at destination X. Therefore, the navigation device 1 allows the user of a vehicle that arrives at a common destination X first to effectively use the waiting time until the user of the other vehicle arrives at the destination. For example, a user of a vehicle that arrives at destination X first often searches for spots in the vicinity of destination X to use the waiting time. This tendency is particularly pronounced when destination X is a place that the user is unfamiliar with. In such cases, the user is expected to spend time and effort searching for spots. By suggesting spots, the navigation device 1 can reduce the time and effort the user spends searching for spots.

[0046] Furthermore, the navigation device 1 suggests spots that can be explored within the waiting time of the user of the vehicle that arrives earlier at the destination X. Therefore, the navigation device 1 can prevent the user of the vehicle that arrives earlier at the destination X from missing the scheduled arrival time of the vehicle that arrives later at the destination X due to wandering around the spots.

[0047] Furthermore, the navigation device 1 suggests spots that match the user's hobbies and preferences to the user of the vehicle that arrives first at destination X. Therefore, the navigation device 1 can further improve the user's satisfaction when suggesting spots.

[0048] Next, the update operation of the proposal of the navigation device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0049] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a proposal update operation of the navigation device 1 according to the first embodiment. 6, after the processing of steps S101 to S109 described above, the navigation device 1 performs the processing of steps S201 to S208. For example, after proposing a list of at least one spot near destination X to the user of a vehicle that will arrive at the destination in the nm-th place in step S109, the navigation device 1 performs the processing of step S201 immediately after the proposal or when a predetermined time has passed since the proposal. The predetermined time is preferably about 2 to 5 minutes, for example, but may be set arbitrarily.

[0050] In step S201, the acquisition unit 11 of the navigation device 1 acquires the estimated arrival times at the destination X for each of the first to n-th vehicles again.

[0051] Next, in step S202, the proposing unit 12 again determines the vehicle that will arrive nth at destination X among the first to n-th vehicles based on the estimated arrival times of the first to n-th vehicles at their respective destinations.

[0052] Next, in step S203, the proposing unit 12 determines whether the estimated arrival time of the nth vehicle arriving at destination X has changed by more than a predetermined threshold. If it is determined that the estimated arrival time of the nth vehicle arriving at destination X has changed by more than the predetermined threshold (YES in step S203), the process proceeds to step S204. On the other hand, if it is determined that the estimated arrival time of the nth vehicle arriving at destination X has not changed by more than the predetermined threshold (NO in step S203), the process ends.

[0053] Next, in step S204, the suggestion unit 12 calculates a time difference A2 between the estimated arrival time of the vehicle that suggested the spot in the processing of step S109 described above and the vehicle that will arrive nth at destination X. The time difference A2 is a waiting time for the user of the vehicle that will arrive nth at destination X after the user of the vehicle that suggested the spot in the processing of step S109 described above arrives at destination X.

[0054] Next, in step S205, the proposing unit 12 determines whether the time difference A2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. If it is determined that the time difference A2 is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold (YES in step S205), the process proceeds to step S206. On the other hand, if it is determined that the time difference A2 is not equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold (NO in step S205), the process proceeds to step S208.

[0055] Next, in step S206, the suggestion unit 12 generates a list of at least one spot near destination X based on the position of destination X and the time difference A2. Specifically, the suggestion unit 12 performs the same processing as that of steps S1081 to S1084 described above with reference to FIG. 3. However, in this case, in the processing of steps S1081 to S1084, "time difference A1" is replaced with "time difference A2" and "the vehicle that will arrive at the destination in the nm-th order" is replaced with "the vehicle that proposed the spot."

[0056] Next, in step S207, the suggestion unit 12 re-suggests a list of at least one spot in the vicinity of destination X to the user of the vehicle to which the spot was suggested in the process of step S109.

[0057] After the result of step S205 is NO, in step S208, the suggestion unit 12 suggests to the user of the vehicle that suggested the spot in the process of step S109 that the stroll around the spot be stopped.

[0058] If it is determined that the time difference A2 is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value (YES in step S205), the navigation device 1 may perform the process of step S201 again.

[0059] The accuracy of the estimated arrival time of a vehicle at its destination tends to decrease as the distance between the current location and the destination increases. Therefore, the waiting time of users of vehicles that arrive at destination X earlier often changes.

[0060] As described above, the navigation device 1 according to the first embodiment updates the list of spots suggested to a vehicle arriving at destination X earlier when the estimated arrival time of a vehicle arriving at destination X later is changed. Therefore, the navigation device 1 can suggest appropriate spots to the user of the vehicle arriving at destination X earlier, depending on the waiting time of the user of the vehicle arriving at destination X earlier. Furthermore, the navigation device 1 can also stop suggesting spots depending on the waiting time of the user of the vehicle arriving at destination X earlier. By doing so, the navigation device 1 can prevent the user of the vehicle arriving at destination X earlier from missing the estimated arrival time of the vehicle arriving at destination X later.

[0061] Furthermore, the navigation device 1 suggests spots that are easy to exit along the way to the vehicle that arrives first at the destination X. This prevents the user of the vehicle that arrives first at the destination X from missing the scheduled arrival time of the vehicle that arrives at the destination X later.

[0062] Each component of the navigation device 1 in the above-described embodiment is configured by hardware or software, or both, and may be configured by one piece of hardware or software, or may be configured by multiple pieces of hardware or software.

[0063] Specifically, each component of the navigation device 1 in the above-described embodiment is configured by a computer including a processor, a memory, and a network interface. The processor may be, for example, a microprocessor, a microprocessing unit (MPU), or a central processing unit (CPU). The processor may include multiple processors. The memory may be configured by a combination of volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The memory may include storage located remotely from the processor. In this case, the processor may access the memory via an I / O interface (not shown). The processor executes one or more programs including instructions for causing a computer to perform the algorithms described using the drawings. The network interface may be used to communicate with a network node. The network interface may include, for example, a network interface card (NIC) compliant with the IEEE 802.3 series. IEEE stands for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

[0064] The above-mentioned program includes instructions (or software code) that, when loaded into a computer, cause the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable media or tangible storage media include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray disc or other optical disc storage. The program may also be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, transitory computer-readable media or communication media include electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals.

[0065] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0066] Each drawing is merely an example for describing one or more embodiments. Each drawing may relate not only to one particular embodiment, but also to one or more other embodiments. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, various features or steps described with reference to any one drawing can be combined with features or steps shown in one or more other drawings to create, for example, an embodiment not explicitly shown or described. Not all features or steps shown in any one drawing are necessary to describe an exemplary embodiment, and some features or steps may be omitted. The order of steps described in any drawing may be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1. Navigation devices 11 Acquisition Department 12 Proposal Department 20-1 to 20-n User terminals

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires a location of a common destination of n (2≦n (n is a natural number)) vehicles and an estimated time of arrival at the destination of each of the n vehicles; a suggestion unit that determines an order in which the n vehicles will arrive at the destination based on estimated arrival times of each of the n vehicles at the destination, calculates a first time difference that is a time difference between the estimated arrival time of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination n-mth (1≦m≦n-1 (m is a natural number))th and the estimated arrival time of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination nth, and, if the first time difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, suggests at least one spot in the vicinity of the destination that is selected based on the first time difference and the location of the destination to a user of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination n-mth. Navigation device.

2. The proposal unit Searching for at least one spot near the destination and a required time for each of the at least one spot based on the location of the destination; selecting at least one spot from the at least one spot around the searched destination, the required time of which falls within the range of the first time difference; Proposing the selected at least one spot to a user of a vehicle that will arrive at the destination in the n-mth order. The navigation device according to claim 1 .

3. The acquisition unit After at least one spot in the vicinity of the destination is suggested to the user of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination n-mth, the estimated time of arrival at the destination of each of the n vehicles is again obtained; The proposal unit re-determining the order in which the n vehicles will arrive at the destination based on the estimated arrival times of each of the n vehicles at the destination; If the estimated arrival time of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination nth is changed by a predetermined threshold or more, calculate a second time difference, which is a time difference between the estimated arrival time of the vehicle that the at least one spot suggested to the user and the estimated arrival time of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination nth; If the second time difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, re-suggest at least one spot in the vicinity of the destination, selected based on the second time difference and the location of the destination, to a user of the vehicle to which the at least one spot was suggested; If the second time difference is less than a predetermined threshold, the at least one spot is suggested to a user of the vehicle to which the suggested spot is added, and the user is suggested to stop exploring the spot. The navigation device according to claim 1 .

4. The computer Obtaining a location of a common destination of n (2≦n (n is a natural number)) vehicles and an estimated time of arrival at the destination for each of the n vehicles; Based on the estimated arrival times of the n vehicles at the destination, an order in which the n vehicles will arrive at the destination is determined, and a first time difference is calculated, which is the time difference between the estimated arrival time of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination n-mth (1≦m≦n-1 (m is a natural number))th and the estimated arrival time of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination nth; and if the first time difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, at least one spot in the vicinity of the destination selected based on the first time difference and the location of the destination is proposed to the user of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination n-mth. Navigation methods.

5. Obtaining a location of a common destination of n (2≦n (n is a natural number)) vehicles and an estimated time of arrival at the destination for each of the n vehicles; determining an order of arrival at the destination among the n vehicles based on estimated arrival times at the destination of each of the n vehicles; calculating a first time difference that is a time difference between the estimated arrival time of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination n-mth (1≦m≦n-1 (m is a natural number))th and the estimated arrival time of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination nth; and, if the first time difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, suggesting at least one spot near the destination that is selected based on the first time difference and the location of the destination to a user of the vehicle that will arrive at the destination n-mth. program.

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