Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program for determining whether addition of an intersection is possible.SOLUTION: The information processing device includes a storage unit that stores map information including a single-lane road and a two-lane road, a first specifying unit that specifies a first intersection point that is an intersection point between a first road link that is one of road links representing the two-lane road and a second road link that is one of road links representing the single-lane road when there is only the single-lane road at the same point on the road recorded in the map information, and a road edge information recording road edges at the same point on the road, the navigation device includes a determination unit that determines whether a feature is present in a direction from the first intersection to a third road link that is the other road link representing the double road, and a determination unit that determines that the intra-intersection link can be generated when the determination unit determines that the feature is not present, and determines that the intra-intersection link cannot be generated when the determination unit determines that the feature is present.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there exists a device for processing map information. When a road forming an intersection is one of two roads with separate inbound and outbound lanes, the device also regards the intersection with the other road of the separate inbound and outbound lanes as an intersection, and forms an intra-intersection link connecting the two intersections. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-261746 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There are road maps that have single-joint roads and dual-joint roads that correspond to (overlap with) the single-joint roads. At the same point on the road map, there may be an intersection registered on the single-joint road, but no intersection registered on the dual-joint road. In such cases, you may be asked to decide whether or not to add an intersection to the dual-joint road, just like the single-joint road. However, the device described in Patent Document 1 cannot make such a determination and cannot add an intersection.

[0005] The present disclosure provides an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that determine whether an intersection can be added. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing device of one embodiment includes a memory unit that stores map information including single-track roads that represent all roads on a map and double-track roads that represent roads for route guidance on the map; a first identification unit that, when there is an intersection only on the single-track road at the same point on a road recorded in the map information, identifies a first intersection that is the intersection between a first road link that is one of the road links representing the double-track road and a second road link that is the road link representing the single-track road; a determination unit that uses road edge information that records the road edges of roads at the same point to determine whether a feature exists in the direction from the first intersection to a third road link that is the other road link representing the double-track road; and a determination unit that enables an intra-intersection link to be generated when the determination unit determines that no feature exists, and determines that the intra-intersection link cannot be generated when the determination unit determines that a feature exists. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program of the present disclosure can determine whether an intersection can be added. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an information processing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an information processing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a single-track road and a double-track road. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining an example of a first intersection and a feature, where (A) shows the first intersection, (B) shows a case where no feature exists at the same point, and (C) shows a case where a feature exists at the same point. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining an example of a first intersection, a second intersection, a virtual road link, and a combined intersection, where (A) shows the first intersection, the second intersection, and the virtual road link, and (B) shows the combined intersection. [Figure 6]1 is a first flowchart illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a second flowchart illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An embodiment will be described below.

[0010] [Overview of information processing device 100] First, an overview of an information processing device 100 according to an embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an information processing device 100 according to an embodiment.

[0011] For example, the information processing device 100 may be configured as a determination device or the like that determines whether an intersection can be generated on the two-joint road 202 when an intersection is only present on the one-joint road 201 at the same point 230 in map information including the one-joint road 201 and the two-joint road 202. The information processing device 100 may be configured as a generation device or the like that generates an intersection on the two-joint road 202 when an intersection can be generated on the two-joint road 202. The information processing device 100 may be configured as a setting device (registration device) or the like that sets (registers) the intersection generated on the two-joint road 202 in the map information. The information processing device 100 is not limited to the device described above as an example, and may be configured as various devices or the like. The information processing device 100 may be a computer such as a server, a desktop, a laptop, a tablet, or a smartphone.

[0012] The information processing device 100 stores map information including a single road 201 that represents all roads on a map, and a double road 202 that represents roads for route guidance on the map. The unified road 201 may be, for example, a road in which the road link of the road network is represented by a single road including both inbound and outbound lanes, or may represent almost all roads on a road map. The two-lane road 202 may be, for example, a road in which the road link of a road network is represented by one line for each lane, or may represent a road used for route search, route guidance, etc. in a road map used by a route guidance device (navigation device). Note that the two-lane road 202 may represent, for example, a road in a high-precision road map in which a road link is set for each lane of the road.

[0013] That is, as a more specific example, the road map may be used by a navigation device. The road map (road network) used by the navigation device is configured, for example, with two layers. (1) The road map includes a road map (road network) used for route search and route guidance. In the road map (road network) for route search and route guidance, the proportion of major roads that are dual-lane (referred to as dual-lane roads) is relatively high, but general roads are single-lane (referred to as single-lane roads) even if they are two-way traffic. In other words, in the road map (road network) for route search and route guidance, single-lane roads and dual-lane roads are mixed. (2) Furthermore, the road maps used by navigation devices include road maps (road networks) used for display and map matching, etc. In road maps (road networks) for display and map matching, roads including narrow streets are represented as single-lane roads, but some major roads are represented as double-lane roads. The information processing device 100 compares (1) and (2) above, and in the case where the situations are different between the single-joint road 201 and the double-joint road 202 at the same point 203 (for example, an intersection), it is possible to generate an integrated intersection 410 (nodes 401, 402 and intra-intersection link 403) (see Figure 5(B)) on the double-joint road 202, as described below.

[0014] When an intersection (node ​​203 indicating the intersection) exists only on the unified road 201 at the same point 230 of the road recorded in the map information, the information processing device 100 specifies a first intersection 221 which is an intersection between a first road link 211 which is one of the road links representing the unified road 202 and a second road link 212 which is a road link representing the unified road 201. That is, when an intersection (node ​​203 exists only in the road network of the unified road 201) exists only on the unified road 201 at the same point 230 of the unified road 201 and the unified road 202, the information processing device 100 specifies an intersection (first intersection 221) between the road link representing one of the inbound and outbound lanes of the unified road 202 (first road link 211 in the road network of the unified road 202) and the unified road 201 (second road link 212).

[0015] The information processing device 100 uses road edge information that records the road edges of the road at the same point 230 described above to determine whether or not a feature 301 exists in the direction D (see FIGS. 4(B) and 4(C)) from the first intersection 221 to the third road link 213, which is the other road link that represents the two-track road 202. Because the road edge information records the road edges, the information processing device 100 can use the road edge information to identify whether or not a feature 301, such as a median strip, exists between the inbound and outbound lanes of the two-track road 202. The road edge information may be recorded in the map information described above, or may be obtained from inside or outside the information processing device 100. That is, the information processing device 100 uses the road edge information to determine whether or not a feature 301 (e.g., a median strip, etc.) exists in the direction D of the extension of the second road link 212 from the first intersection 221 of the single-road road 201 (second road link 212) (the direction of the third road link 213 representing the other line of the double-road road 202). In other words, the information processing device 100 may determine that the feature 301 does not exist if, for example, the road edge of the first road link 211 is not recorded in the road edge information in the extension direction D of the second road link 212 (see FIG. 4(B)). On the other hand, the information processing device 100 may determine that the feature 301 exists if, for example, the road edge of the first road link 211 is recorded in the road edge information in the extension direction of the second road link 212 (see FIG. 4(C)).

[0016] As described above, the information processing device 100 may determine that it is possible to generate the intra-intersection link 403 (see FIG. 5(B)) when it is determined that the feature 301 does not exist. In other words, the information processing device 100 may determine that it is possible to generate the intra-intersection link 403 on the two-joined road 202 at the same point 230. On the other hand, when it is determined that the feature 301 exists as described above, the information processing device 100 may determine that it is not possible to generate the intra-intersection link 403. In other words, the information processing device 100 may determine that it is not possible to generate the intra-intersection link 403 on the two-joint road 202 at the same point 230.

[0017] [Details of the information processing device 100] Next, the information processing device 100 according to an embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the information processing device 100 according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of a single road 201 and a double road 202. In FIG. 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining an example of the first intersection 221 and the feature 301. Fig. 4A shows the first intersection 221, Fig. 4B shows a case where the feature 301 does not exist at the same point 230, and Fig. 4C shows a case where the feature 301 exists at the same point 230.

[0018] The information processing device 100 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes, for example, a communication unit 121, a storage unit 122, a display unit 123, and a control unit 110. The communication unit 121, the storage unit 122, and the display unit 123 may be an embodiment of an output unit. The control unit 110 includes, for example, a first identification unit 111, a determination unit 112, a judgment unit 113, a second identification unit 114, a setting unit 115, and an output control unit 116. The control unit 110 may be configured, for example, by an arithmetic processing device of the information processing device 100. The control unit 110 (for example, an arithmetic processing device) may realize the functions of each unit (for example, the first identification unit 111, the determination unit 112, the judgment unit 113, the second identification unit 114, the setting unit 115, and the output control unit 116) by, for example, appropriately reading and executing various programs stored in the storage unit 122. That is, the functions of each unit may be realized by computer implementation.

[0019] The communication unit 121 is, for example, a communication interface capable of transmitting and receiving various information to and from a device (external device) (not shown) outside the information processing device 100. The external device may be, for example, a server.

[0020] The storage unit 122 may store, for example, various information and programs. Examples of the storage unit 122 may be a memory, a solid state drive, a hard disk drive, etc. Note that the storage unit 122 may be, for example, a storage area or a server on a cloud.

[0021] The storage unit 122 stores map information including a single road 201 that represents all roads on a map, and a double road 202 that represents roads for route guidance on a map. The unified road 201 may be, for example, a road in which the road link of the road network is represented by a single road including both inbound and outbound lanes, or may represent almost all roads on a road map. The two-lane road 202 may be, for example, a road in which the road link of a road network is represented by one line for each lane, or may represent a road used for route search, route guidance, etc. in a road map used by a route guidance device (navigation device). Note that the two-lane road 202 may represent, for example, a road in a high-precision road map in which a road link is set for each lane of the road. The map information may be road map information including a map of the single-joint road 201 and a map of the two-joint road 202. That is, as an example, any one point in the road map (map information) may be recorded in both the map of the single-joint road 201 and the map of the two-joint road 202. In the map information of this embodiment, the single-joint road 201 is lower (lower source) and the two-joint road 202 is higher (higher source) than the single-joint road 201. Alternatively, the map information may be a road map in which the map of the single-joint road 201 and the map of the double-joint road 202 are in separate layers, i.e., the memory unit 122 may store map information for the single-joint road 201 and map information for the double-joint road 202.

[0022] The map information may include, for example, road edge information. That is, the storage unit 122 may store map information including a single road 201 representing all roads on the map, a dual road 202 representing roads for route guidance on the map, and road edges (road edges) (road edge information) of at least one of the single road 201 and the dual road 202. The road edge information may include, for example, information recording details indicating various road edges (road edges) that vehicles cannot cross (transverse), such as road shoulders, features 301 on the road (or features located on the road shoulders), and medians separating multiple lanes (such as a median strip, for example).

[0023] The display unit 123 is a display capable of displaying, for example, various characters, symbols, images, and the like.

[0024] As shown in an example in Figure 3, when there is an intersection only on the single road 201 at the same point 230 of a road recorded in the map information, the first identification unit 111 identifies a first intersection 221 (see Figures 1, 3, and 4(A)) which is the intersection of a first road link 211 which is one of the road links representing the double road 202 and a second road link 212 which is the road link representing the single road 201. That is, when there is an intersection (a node 203 indicating an intersection only in the road network of the single-joint road 201) only in the single-joint road 201 at the same point 230 on the road map (map information) (single-joint road 201 and two-joint road 202), the first identifying unit 111 identifies the intersection (first intersection 221) between the road link (first road link 211 in the road network of the two-joint road 202) representing one of the up-bound and down-bound lanes of the two-joint road 202 and the single-joint road 201 (second road link 212). Examples of points as the same point 230 may be intersections such as points of T-junctions and crossroads (three-way and four-way intersections), and points of five or more intersections.

[0025] The determination unit 112 uses road edge information that records the road edges of the road at the same point 230 to determine whether a feature 301 exists in the direction from the first intersection 221 to the third road link 213, which is the other road link that represents the two-track road 202. The road edge information may be recorded in the map information described above, or may be acquired from inside or outside the information processing device 100. Here, "inside the information processing device 100" may mean, for example, that the road edge information is not included in the map information but is stored separately in the storage unit 122. Furthermore, "outside the information processing device 100" may mean, for example, that the road edge information is not included in the map information but is stored separately in an external device (e.g., a server, etc.) (not shown). Since the road edge information records the road edges of the two-track road 202 (and the single-track road 201), the judgment unit 112 can use the road edge information to determine whether or not there is a feature 301 (obstacle) such as a median between the uphill and downhill lanes of the two-track road 202. That is, the determination unit 112 uses the road edge information to determine whether a feature 301 (e.g., a median strip, etc.) exists in the direction D of the extension of the second road link 212 from the first intersection 221 of the single-road road 201 (second road link 212) (see FIGS. 4(B) and 4(C)) (the direction of the third road link 213 representing the other line of the double-road road 202). In other words, the determination unit 112 may determine that the feature 301 does not exist if, for example, the road edge of the first road link 211 is not recorded in the road edge information in the extension direction D of the second road link 212 (see FIG. 4(B)). On the other hand, the determination unit 112 may determine that the feature 301 exists if, for example, the road edge of the first road link 211 is recorded in the road edge information in the extension direction D of the second road link 212 (see FIG. 4(C)).

[0026] The determination unit 112 is not limited to using road edge information, and may also acquire image information, such as aerial photographs, satellite photographs, and images captured by an on-board camera, of the same point 230 from an external device (not shown). The external device here may be a server or the like. The determination unit 112 may determine whether or not there is a feature 301 (obstacle) such as a median strip at the same point 230 from the image of the same point 230 recorded in the image information. In this case, the "road edge information" may include "image information."

[0027] The judgment unit 113 determines that an intra-intersection link 403 (see Figure 5 (B)) can be generated when the judgment unit 112 determines that a feature 301 does not exist, and determines that an intra-intersection link 403 cannot be generated when the judgment unit 112 determines that a feature 301 exists. If the judgment unit 112 determines that the feature 301 does not exist, the judgment unit 113 may determine that it is possible to generate an intra-intersection link 403 on the two-joint road 202 at the same point 230 described above (a point including the first intersection 221). On the other hand, when the judgment unit 112 determines that a feature 301 exists, the judgment unit 113 may determine that an intra-intersection link 403 cannot be generated on the two-joint road 202 at the same point 230 described above (a point including the first intersection 221).

[0028] 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining an example of the first intersection 221, the second intersection 222, the virtual road link 223, and the integrated intersection 410. Fig. 5A shows the first intersection 221, the second intersection 222, and the virtual road link 223, and Fig. 5B shows the integrated intersection 410.

[0029] 1 and 5(A), when the determination unit 113 determines that the intra-intersection link 403 can be generated, the second identification unit 114 estimates a virtual road link 223 on an extension line of the second road link 212 from the first intersection 221 to the third road link 213, and identifies the intersection of the virtual road link 223 and the third road link 213 as the second intersection 222. That is, the second identification unit 114 estimates (generates) the virtual road link 223 in the direction (extension direction D) from the first intersection 221 to the third road link 213 that represents the other line of the double-track road 202, which is on an extension line of the single-track road 201 (second road link 212). The second identification unit 114 determines the intersection of the virtual road link 223 and the third road link 213 as the second intersection 222, and identifies the second intersection 222.

[0030] 5(B), the setting unit 115 sets the first intersection 221 identified by the first identification unit 111 and the second intersection 222 identified by the second identification unit 114 as nodes 401, 402 of the first road link 211 and the third road link 213 that represent the two-track road 202. The setting unit 115 sets the virtual road link 223 estimated by the second identification unit 114 as the intra-intersection link 403 of the two-track road 202 that connects the nodes 401, 402. The setting unit 115 sets the nodes 401, 402 and the intra-intersection link 403 as an integrated intersection 410 in the map information. That is, the setting unit 115 sets the intersection (first intersection 221) between the first road link 211 and the second road link 212, which is identified by the first identification unit 111, as the node 401 of the first road link 211 (the road link representing one of the inbound and outbound lanes of the bisected road 202). Similarly, the setting unit 115 sets the intersection (second intersection 222) between the third road link 213 and the virtual road link 223 (the road link on the extension of the bisected road 201 (the second road link 212)), which is identified by the second identification unit 114, as the node 402 of the third road link 213 (the road link representing the other of the inbound and outbound lanes of the bisected road 202). The setting unit 115 sets the virtual road link 223 between the above-mentioned two nodes 401, 402 (the first intersection 221 and the second intersection 222) as a road link (the intra-intersection link 403 of the two-joint road 202) connecting the two nodes 401, 402. The setting unit 115 sets the above-mentioned two nodes 401, 402 and the intra-intersection link 403 as a combined intersection 410. The setting unit 115 also sets (registers) the above-mentioned combined intersection 410 (the above-mentioned two nodes 401, 402 and the intra-intersection link 403 as an intersection) in the map information. That is, the setting unit 115 sets (registers) the combined intersection 410 for the two-joint road 202 in the map information stored in the storage unit 122. The combined intersection 410 is a combination of the nodes 401, 402 (and the intra-intersection link 403) that indicate one intersection on the two-joint road 202.

[0031] The setting unit 115 may associate the combined intersection 410 of the two-joined road 202 with the intersection of the single-joined road 201 at the same point 230 as the combined intersection 410 (node ​​203 indicating the intersection). Furthermore, even if the judgment unit 113 determines that it is not possible to generate an intra-intersection link 403 on the bifurcated road 202 as described above, the setting unit 115 may maintain the correspondence between the bifurcated road 201 and the bifurcated road 202 at the same point 230 that is the basis for the judgment.

[0032] The road network representing the two-lane road 202 may be a high-precision road map in which a node and a road link are set for each lane, as described above. Even in the case of such a high-precision road map, the control unit 110 may set (register) the integrated intersection 410 in the high-precision road map by setting a node for each lane (road link) and setting intra-intersection links 403 that connect multiple nodes, as in the case described above.

[0033] The output control unit 116 controls the output unit to output map information in which the integrated intersection 410 is set by the setting unit 115. An example of the output unit here may be the communication unit 121 and the display unit 123, etc. That is, the output control unit 116 may, for example, control the communication unit 121 to transmit map information in which the integrated intersection 410 has been set by the setting unit 115 to an external device (not shown). The external device here may be a server, a navigation device, a user terminal, or the like. The navigation device may be, for example, an in-vehicle navigation device mounted on a vehicle. The navigation device may, for example, use the map information to provide various types of guidance, including route search and route guidance. The user terminal is a terminal used by a user, and specific examples thereof may include a desktop, a laptop, a tablet, a smartphone, or the like. Furthermore, the output control unit 116 may control the display unit 123 to display, for example, a road map recorded in the map information in which the setting unit 115 has set the integrated intersection 410.

[0034] [Information processing method] Next, an information processing method according to an embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a first flowchart illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a second flowchart illustrating the information processing method according to an embodiment.

[0035] In step ST101 of FIG. 6, the storage unit 122 stores map information including a single road 201 representing all roads on a map and a double road 202 representing roads for route guidance on the map.

[0036] In step ST102, if there is an intersection only on the single road 201 at the same point 230 of the road recorded in the map information in step ST101, the first identification unit 111 identifies the intersection (first intersection 221) between one road link (first road link 211) representing the double road 202 and the road link (second road link 212) representing the single road 201.

[0037] In step ST103, the determination unit 112 uses road edge information that records road edges on the road at the same point 230 to determine whether or not a feature 301 exists in the direction from the first intersection 221 to the other road link (third road link 213) that represents the two-track road 202. The road edge information may be included in the map information of step ST101, for example, or may be separate from the map information and may be acquired from outside the information processing device 100 (external device) or the like under the control of the determination unit 112 or the like (control unit 110).

[0038] In step ST104, if the determination unit 113 determines that the feature 301 does not exist (no feature) in the above step ST103, it determines that an intra-intersection link 403 can be generated at the same point 230 in steps ST102 and ST103. After the determination in step ST104, the process proceeds to step ST201 in FIG.

[0039] In step ST105, when the determination unit 113 determines that the feature 301 exists (feature present) in the above step ST103, it determines that the intra-intersection link 403 cannot be generated at the same point 230 in steps ST102 and ST103. After the determination in step ST105, the processing ends.

[0040] In step ST201 of Figure 7, if the second identification unit 114 determines in step ST104 of Figure 6 that it is possible to generate an intra-intersection link 403, it estimates a virtual road link 223 on an extension of the second road link 212 from the first intersection 221 to the third road link 213, and identifies the intersection between the virtual road link 223 and the third road link 213 as the second intersection 222.

[0041] In step ST202, the setting unit 115 sets the first intersection 221 identified in step ST102 of Figure 6 and the second intersection 222 identified in step ST201 as nodes 401, 402 of the first road link 211 and the third road link 213 representing the two-road road 202.

[0042] In step ST203, the setting unit 115 sets the virtual road link 223 estimated in step ST201 as the intra-intersection link 403 of the two-branch road 202 connecting the nodes 401 and 402 in step ST202.

[0043] In step ST204, the nodes 401 and 402 in step ST202 and the intra-intersection link 403 in step ST203 are set as an integrated intersection 410 in the map information.

[0044] [Example] Next, an example will be described. The information processing device 100 (for example, the control unit 110, etc.) may perform the following processes (1) to (7).

[0045] (1) The control unit 110 acquires the road link of the unified road 201, which is the lower source. Specifically, the control unit 110 identifies the road link (second road link 212) of the road that is defined only by the unified road 201, and acquires the road link (road link of the unified road 201) that is the junction destination of the road link (second road link 212) (passing through the intersection that is the junction point (identical point 230)). (2) The control unit 110 identifies the double-joint road 202 associated with the single-joint road 201 in the map information (road map). That is, the control unit 110 acquires the road link of the double-joint road 202 that passes through the same point 230 as the above-mentioned intersection. (3) The control unit 110 extracts the road link (first road link 211) (the road link representing one of the uphill and downhill lanes of the two-joint road 202) that intersects with the road link (second road link 212) of the single-joint road 201 from the road links of the two-joint road 202 obtained in (2) above. If the control unit 110 cannot extract the road link of the two-track road 202 that intersects with the second road link 212, it extends the end of the second road link 212 by approximately 20 m (0.0002 degrees) and extracts the road link of the two-track road 202 that intersects again. In this case, if the control unit 110 cannot extract the road link of the two-track road 202 that intersects with the second road link 212, it does not extract the road link of the two-track road 202. (4) The control unit 110 determines the intersection of the second road link 212 and the first road link 211 as the first intersection 221 . (5) The control unit 110 generates a virtual road link 223 of approximately 40 m (0.0004 degrees) on an extension of the second road link 212 from the first intersection 221. The control unit 110 refers to the road edge information and determines whether the virtual road link 223 intersects with a feature 301 (an obstacle such as a median strip) on the road edge. (6) If the virtual road link 223 does not intersect with a feature 301 (an obstacle such as a median strip) on the road edge in (5) above, the control unit 110 identifies the intersection (second intersection 222) between the virtual road link 223 and the road link (third road link 213) representing the other of the uphill and downhill lanes of the two-track road 202. Here, if the control unit 110 cannot extract a road link that represents the other of the inbound and outbound lanes of the two-track road 202 that intersects with the virtual road link 223, the control unit 110 ends the process. (7) The control unit 110 groups the first intersection 221 of (4) above, the second intersection 222 of (6) above, and the virtual road link 223 connecting the first intersection 221 and the second intersection 222 together to form the integrated intersection 410 of the two-joined road 202. The control unit 110 sets the integrated intersection 410 of the two-joined road 202 in the road map (map information).

[0046] [Functions and circuits] Next, the functions and circuits of the information processing device 100 will be described. Each unit of the information processing device 100 may be realized as a function of a processing unit of a computer or the like. The information processing device 100 may, for example, realize the functions of the first identification unit 111, the judgment unit 112, the determination unit 113, the second identification unit 114, the setting unit 115, and the output control unit 116 using a single control unit 110 (e.g., an arithmetic processing device, etc.), or may realize the functions of the first identification unit 111, the judgment unit 112, the judgment unit 113, the second identification unit 114, the setting unit 115, and the output control unit 116 in a distributed manner using multiple different control units 110 (e.g., an arithmetic processing device, etc.). The first identification unit 111, judgment unit 112, determination unit 113, second identification unit 114, setting unit 115 and output control unit 116 (control unit 110) of the above-mentioned information processing device 100 may be realized as a first identification function, a determination function, a judgment function, a second identification function, a setting function and an output control function (control function) by a computer's arithmetic processing device or the like. The information processing program can cause a computer to realize each of the above-mentioned functions. The information processing program may be recorded on a non-transitory tangible recording medium readable by a computer, such as a memory, a solid state drive, a hard disk drive, or an optical disk. The storage medium may also be rephrased as a non-transitory tangible computer-readable medium that stores the information processing program. The information processing program may also be transmitted online. The information processing program can be realized as a product (computer program product) including the information processing program by the control unit 110 (for example, an arithmetic processing device, etc.). Furthermore, as described above, each unit of the information processing device 100 may be realized by an arithmetic processing device of a computer or the like. The arithmetic processing device or the like is configured by, for example, an integrated circuit or the like. Therefore, each unit of the information processing device 100 may be realized as a circuit that constitutes the arithmetic processing device or the like. That is, the first specifying unit 111, the determination unit 112, the judgment unit 113, the second specifying unit 114, the setting unit 115, and the output control unit 116 (control unit 110) of the information processing device 100 may be realized as a first specifying circuit, a determination circuit, a determination circuit, a second specifying circuit, a setting circuit, and an output control circuit (control circuit) that constitute the arithmetic processing device of a computer or the like. Furthermore, the communication unit 121, the storage unit 122, and the display unit 123 (output unit) of the information processing device 100 may be realized as, for example, a communication function, a storage function, and a display function (output function) including the functions of an arithmetic processing device or the like. Furthermore, the communication unit 121, the storage unit 122, and the display unit 123 (output unit) of the information processing device 100 may be realized as, for example, a communication circuit, a storage circuit, and a display circuit (output circuit) by being configured using an integrated circuit or the like. Furthermore, the communication unit 121, the storage unit 122, and the display unit 123 (output unit) of the information processing device 100 may be realized as, for example, a communication device, a storage device, and a display device (output device) by being configured using a plurality of devices.

[0047] The information processing device 100 can combine one or any combination of the above-mentioned multiple units. In this disclosure, the term "information" is used, but the term "information" can be replaced with "data" and the term "data" can be replaced with "information."

[0048] [Aspects and Effects of the Present Embodiment] Next, one aspect of this embodiment and the effects of each aspect will be described. Note that each aspect described below is an example at the time of filing, and this embodiment is not limited to the aspects described below. In other words, this embodiment is not limited to the aspects described below, and may be realized by appropriately combining the above-mentioned parts. Furthermore, a lower-level aspect may be able to cite any of the higher-level aspects. The effects of the present embodiment described below are merely examples, and the effects of each aspect are not limited to those described below. Each aspect may, for example, achieve at least one of the effects described below.

[0049] (Aspect 1) An information processing device of one embodiment includes a memory unit that stores map information including single-track roads that represent all roads on a map and double-track roads that represent roads for route guidance on the map; a first identification unit that, when there is an intersection only on the single-track road at the same point on a road recorded in the map information, identifies a first intersection that is the intersection between a first road link that is one of the road links representing the double-track road and a second road link that is the road link representing the single-track road; a determination unit that uses road edge information that records the road edges of roads at the same point to determine whether a feature exists in the direction from the first intersection to a third road link that is the other road link representing the double-track road; and a determination unit that enables an intra-intersection link to be generated when the determination unit determines that no feature exists, and determines that the intra-intersection link cannot be generated when the determination unit determines that a feature exists. This allows the information processing device to determine whether or not an intersection may be added to a double-joint road, just as it does to a single-joint road. That is, the information processing device can determine whether or not there is a feature (for example, an obstacle such as a median strip) between a road link (first road link) that represents one of the inbound and outbound lanes of a two-track road and a road link (third road link) that represents the other of the inbound and outbound lanes of the two-track road, based on road edge information.The information processing device can use this determination (taking into account the presence or absence of a feature (obstacle)) to determine whether or not an intersection can be added to the two-track road.

[0050] (Aspect 2) An information processing device according to one embodiment may include a second identification unit that, when the judgment unit determines that an intra-intersection link can be generated, estimates a virtual road link on an extension of the second road link from the first intersection to the third road link and identifies the intersection between the virtual road link and the third road link as a second intersection, and a setting unit that sets the first intersection identified by the first identification unit and the second intersection identified by the second identification unit as nodes of the first road link and the third road link representing a bifurcated road, and sets the virtual road link estimated by the second identification unit as an intra-intersection link of the bifurcated road connecting the nodes, and sets the node and the intra-intersection link in map information as an integrated intersection. As a result, if the information processing device determines that an intersection can be added to a two-jo road, it can add (set) a node and an intra-intersection link as an integrated intersection to the two-jo road, and set (register) the integrated intersection on the road map (map of the two-jo road) (map information).

[0051] (Aspect 3) In one aspect of the information processing method, a computer having a memory unit that stores map information including single-track roads that represent all roads on a map and dual-track roads that represent roads for route guidance on a map executes the following steps: a first identification step of identifying a first intersection point that is the intersection between a first road link that is one of the road links representing the dual-track road and a second road link that is the road link representing the single-track road, when there is an intersection only on the single-track road at the same point on a road recorded in the map information; a determination step of determining whether a feature exists in the direction from the first intersection point to a third road link that is the other road link representing the dual-track road, using road edge information that records the road edges of the roads at the same point; and a determination step of determining that an intra-intersection link can be generated if it is determined in the determination step that no feature exists, and determining that the intra-intersection link cannot be generated if it is determined in the determination step that a feature exists. As a result, the information processing method can achieve the same effects as the information processing device of the above-described aspect.

[0052] (Aspect 4) An information processing program of one embodiment is provided on a computer having a memory unit that stores map information including single-track roads that represent all roads on a map and double-track roads that represent roads for route guidance on a map. The program implements the following functions in the computer: a first identification function that, when there is an intersection only on the single-track road at the same point on a road recorded in the map information, identifies a first intersection that is the intersection between a first road link that is one of the road links representing the double-track road and a second road link that is the road link representing the single-track road; a determination function that uses road edge information that records the road edges of roads at the same point to determine whether a feature exists in the direction from the first intersection to a third road link that is the other road link representing the double-track road; and a determination function that enables the generation of an intra-intersection link if the determination function determines that no feature exists, and determines that the intra-intersection link cannot be generated if the determination function determines that a feature exists. As a result, the information processing program can achieve the same effects as the information processing device of the above-described aspect. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 100 Information processing device 110 control section 111 1st Specific Section 112 Judgment section 113 Judgment Department 114 Second Specific Part 115 Setting section 116 Output control section 121 Communications Department 122 Storage section 123 Display section 201 Ichijoka Road 202 Nijoka Road Node showing the intersection of 203 Ichijoka Road 211 First Road Link 212 Second Road Link 213 Third Road Link 221 1st intersection 222 Second intersection 223 Virtual Road Links 230 Same point 301 Features 401,402 nodes 403 Intersection Link 410 Integrated Intersection

Claims

1. a storage unit for storing map information including single-section roads representing all roads on a map and double-section roads representing roads for route guidance on the map; a first specifying unit that specifies a first intersection point between a first road link that is one of the road links representing the double-track road and a second road link that is the road link representing the single-track road when an intersection exists only on a single-track road at the same point on a road recorded in the map information; a determination unit that determines whether or not a feature exists in a direction from the first intersection to a third road link that is the other road link representing the two-road road, using road edge information that records road edges on the road at the same point; a determination unit that determines that an intra-intersection link can be generated when the determination unit determines that no feature exists, and that the intra-intersection link cannot be generated when the determination unit determines that a feature exists; An information processing device comprising:

2. a second specifying unit that, when the determining unit determines that an intra-intersection link can be generated, estimates a virtual road link on an extension of the second road link from the first intersection to the third road link, and specifies an intersection between the virtual road link and the third road link as a second intersection; a setting unit that sets the first intersection identified by the first identification unit and the second intersection identified by the second identification unit as nodes of a first road link and a third road link that represent a two-branch road, sets the virtual road link estimated by the second identification unit as an intra-intersection link of the two-branch road that connects the nodes, and sets the node and the intra-intersection link as an integrated intersection in the map information; The information processing device according to claim 1 , comprising:

3. a computer having a storage unit for storing map information including a single road representing all roads on a map and a double road representing roads for route guidance on the map; a first specifying step of specifying a first intersection point between a first road link that is one of the road links representing the double-track road and a second road link that is the road link representing the single-track road, when an intersection exists only on a single-track road at the same point on a road recorded in the map information; a determining step of determining whether or not a feature exists in the direction from the first intersection to a third road link, which is the other road link representing the two-road road, using road edge information that records road edges on the road at the same point; a determination step of determining that an intra-intersection link can be generated when it is determined that no feature exists in the determination step, and determining that an intra-intersection link cannot be generated when it is determined that a feature exists in the determination step; An information processing method that performs the above.

4. On the computer, A computer having a storage unit for storing map information including a single road representing all roads on a map and a double road representing roads for route guidance on the map, a first specifying function for specifying a first intersection point between a first road link that is one of the road links representing the double-track road and a second road link that is the road link representing the single-track road when an intersection exists only on a single-track road at the same point on a road recorded in the map information; a determination function that determines whether or not a feature exists in the direction from the first intersection to the third road link, which is the other road link representing the two-road road, by using road edge information that records the road edges of the road at the same point; a determination function that allows the generation of an intra-intersection link when the determination function determines that no feature exists, and determines that the intra-intersection link cannot be generated when the determination function determines that a feature exists; An information processing program that makes this possible.

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