Navigation system

Abstract

To provide a navigation system that can suggest safer routes for users. [Solution] The navigation system comprises a user terminal device and an information processing device connected to the terminal device, the information processing device including an acquisition unit that acquires destination information indicating a destination input to the terminal device, a route extraction unit that extracts one or more routes from the current location of the terminal device to the destination, a calculation processing unit that calculates the safety level of each route extracted by the route extraction unit, and a transmission unit that preferentially transmits route information indicating the route with the highest safety level among the routes extracted by the route extraction unit to the terminal device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a navigation system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a navigation system that guides a user to a destination using a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal reception function mounted on a mobile terminal or the like is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that navigates a user to a destination using a GPS signal. When the position of the user's mobile terminal approaches a specific signal controller of a crosswalk, the specific signal controller outputs a drive signal for driving an acoustic signal device located on the user's travel route.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the route presented by the navigation system is not always a safe route for the user, such as a road with a large traffic volume of vehicles or a narrow road.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a navigation system that can present a safer route for the user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, the navigation system of the present invention includes a terminal device of a user, The terminal device is connected to an information processing device, The aforementioned information processing device is An acquisition unit that acquires destination information indicating a destination entered into the terminal device, A route extraction unit that extracts one or more routes from the current location of the terminal device to the destination, A calculation processing unit for calculating the safety level for each of the aforementioned paths, The system includes a transmission unit that prioritizes transmitting route information indicating a route with a high degree of safety from among the routes extracted by the route extraction unit to the terminal device.

[0007] This configuration allows for the presentation of safer routes to users. In particular, for visually impaired users, the presentation of safer routes reduces the psychological barrier to going out and increases their motivation to leave their homes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to present a safer route to the user. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram showing a navigation system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of the security information stored in the memory shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the safety level for each path, calculated by the processing unit shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of a state where multiple routes are displayed on the terminal device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing the operation flow of the navigation system shown in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] [Overview of the Navigation System] Hereinafter, a navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention provides the user with route guidance from their current location to their destination.

[0011] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram showing a navigation system 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the navigation system 1 comprises a server (an example of an information processing device) 11, a base station 12, and one or more terminal devices 20. The server 11 is connected to the base station 12 via an external network 13.

[0012] The terminal device 20 is a smartphone, tablet, laptop computer, or personal computer operated by the user, and has a display unit such as a touch display. The terminal device 20 also provides the user with route guidance as described below by executing a predetermined application program installed, for example, via a platform that distributes apps.

[0013] The terminal device 20 may be configured to execute a program obtained via website browsing software, i.e., a web browser, instead of executing an application program.

[0014] The server 11 includes a communication unit (acquisition unit, transmission unit) 31, a control unit 32, a storage unit 33, and a memory 34. The communication unit 31 functions as an interface for the server 11 to communicate with external devices such as a base station 12.

[0015] The storage unit 33 includes a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory. Specifically, the storage unit 33 stores programs and other data that the server 11 uses to perform various processes.

[0016] The memory 34 includes a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0017] The control unit 32 is a processor including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The control unit 32 has a route extraction unit 41 and an arithmetic processing unit 42, and performs various controls related to providing route guidance.

[0018] [Overview of Route Guidance] The terminal device 20 has a function of receiving GPS (Global Positioning System) signals transmitted from a plurality of satellites (not shown) and detecting the current position of the terminal device 20 based on the received GPS signals.

[0019] Also, the terminal device 20 receives an input of a destination by the user, and transmits destination information indicating the destination, position information indicating the current position of the terminal device 20, and identification information of the terminal device 20 to the server 11 via the base station 12. The input of the destination to the terminal device 20 by the user is performed by inputting the name of a place, a facility name, an address, or the like. Also, the input of the destination by the user may be a voice input or the like.

[0020] When the communication unit 31 in the server 11 receives the destination information, the position information, and the identification information from the terminal device 20, it outputs these destination information, position information, and identification information to the control unit 32.

[0021] The route extraction unit 41 in the control unit 32 extracts a plurality of routes from the current position of the terminal device 20 to the destination based on the destination information and the position information transmitted from the terminal device 20. When there is only one route from the current position of the terminal device 20 to the destination, the route extraction unit 41 extracts one route.

[0022] Here, memory 34 stores safety information indicating the correspondence between each point on the map and its safety level. The arithmetic processing unit 42 refers to the safety information and, for example, calculates the safety level for each extracted route. Then, the arithmetic processing unit 42 prioritizes transmitting route information indicating the route with the highest safety level from among multiple routes to the terminal device 20, which is the source of the destination information, via the communication unit 31.

[0023] [Specific examples of safety information] (Items that have been pre-registered) Figure 2 shows an example of safety information stored in memory 34 shown in Figure 1. The safety information includes, for example, pre-registered items and updated items. Pre-registered items include "traffic volume," "obstacles," "traffic lights," "braille blocks," and "sidewalk width." Points are assigned to each item at each location on the map.

[0024] For example, locations with low traffic volume are assigned a "+1" to the "Traffic Volume" field, locations with high traffic volume are assigned a "-1" to the "Traffic Volume" field, and locations with normal traffic volume are assigned a "0" to the "Traffic Volume" field.

[0025] Obstacles also include steps, curbs, bushes, vending machines, bollards, utility poles, fences, mailboxes, walls, and traffic cones. For example, locations with few obstacles are assigned a "+1" to the "Obstacles" column, locations with many obstacles are assigned a "-1" to the "Obstacles" column, and locations with an average number of obstacles are assigned a "0" to the "Obstacles" column.

[0026] Additionally, for example, locations with audible traffic signals are assigned a "+1" to the "traffic signals" column, locations without traffic signals are assigned a "-1" to the "traffic signals" column, and locations with non-audible traffic signals are assigned a "0" to the "traffic signals" column.

[0027] Additionally, for example, locations where tactile paving is provided are assigned a "+1" to the "tactile paving" field, while locations where tactile paving is not provided are assigned a "0" to the "tactile paving" field.

[0028] Additionally, for example, locations with wide sidewalks are assigned a "+1" to the "Sidewalk Width" field, locations with narrow sidewalks are assigned a "-1" to the "Sidewalk Width" field, and locations with average sidewalk width are assigned a "0" to the "Sidewalk Width" field.

[0029] (Items to be updated) Furthermore, the items to be updated in the safety information include "difficulty in getting lost" and "difficulty in tripping." The calculation processing unit 42 shown in Figure 1 updates the points for each item for each location on the map periodically or irregularly.

[0030] More specifically, each terminal device 20 shown in Figure 1 can transmit, for example, measurement results from an acceleration sensor mounted on the terminal device 20 to the server 11. The arithmetic processing unit 42 in the server 11 identifies the location where the user got lost based on the information such as measurement results transmitted from each terminal device 20.

[0031] The arithmetic processing unit 42 then counts the number of users who got lost at each location during a predetermined period, based on measurement results transmitted from multiple terminal devices 20 during that period. The arithmetic processing unit 42 then assigns points for the "difficulty of getting lost" item to each location according to that number.

[0032] For example, locations where the number of users who got lost during a specified period is equal to or greater than the threshold Th11 will be assigned a "-1" to the "difficulty of getting lost" item, locations where the number is less than or equal to the threshold Th11 (less than the threshold Th12) will be assigned a "+1" to the "difficulty of getting lost" item, and locations where the number is equal to or greater than the threshold Th12 but less than the threshold Th11 will be assigned a "0" to the "difficulty of getting lost" item.

[0033] Furthermore, the arithmetic processing unit 42 identifies the location where the user stumbled based on information such as measurement results transmitted from each terminal device 20. The arithmetic processing unit 42 then counts the number of users who stumbled at each location during a predetermined period, based on the measurement results transmitted from multiple terminal devices 20 during that predetermined period. The arithmetic processing unit 42 then assigns points for the "stumbling resistance" item to each location according to that number.

[0034] For example, at locations where the number of users who stumbled during a specified period is equal to or greater than the threshold Th21, a "-1" is assigned to the "stumble-resistant" item. At locations where the number is less than or equal to the threshold Th22 (less than Th21), a "+1" is assigned to the "stumble-resistant" item. At locations where the number is equal to or greater than the threshold Th22 but less than the threshold Th21, a "0" is assigned to the "stumble-resistant" item.

[0035] Furthermore, the arithmetic processing unit 42 is not limited to a configuration that assigns points to each location based on measurement results transmitted from multiple terminal devices 20, but may also be configured to assign points to each location based on measurement results transmitted from a single terminal device 20. The safety information generated in this way can be used as safety information specific to the user of the terminal device 20.

[0036] Furthermore, the terminal device 20 is not limited to a configuration that transmits measurement results from the acceleration sensor, etc., to the server 11. For example, the user may input the location where they got lost or stumbled to the terminal device 20, and the terminal device 20 may transmit information indicating the location entered by the user to the server 11.

[0037] (Calculation of location points) The calculation processing unit 42 calculates the total value of points for each item (hereinafter referred to as "location points") for each location. In the example shown in Figure 2, for location P1, a total value of "+15" is calculated as location points, which includes points corresponding to "traffic volume" ("+1"), "obstacles" ("+1"), "traffic lights" ("+1"), "braille blocks" ("0"), "sidewalk width" ("+1"), "difficulty of getting lost" ("0"), and "difficulty of tripping" ("0").

[0038] [Calculation of safety level] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the safety level for each route, calculated by the calculation processing unit 42 shown in Figure 1. Referring to Figures 1 through 3, the calculation processing unit 42 identifies multiple points included in each route extracted by the route extraction unit 41. Then, referring to the safety information shown in Figure 2, the calculation processing unit 42 calculates the sum of the points for each identified point.

[0039] Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, assume that the route extraction unit 41 has extracted routes A, B, and C. Assume that route A includes points P1, P2, P3, ... Assume that route B includes points P1, P2, P4, ... Assume that route C includes points P1, P5, P6, ...

[0040] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, let's assume that the point values ​​from point P1 to point P6 are "+15", "-3", "-5", "+1", "+10", and "+2", respectively. In such a case, for example, for route A, the sum of the point values ​​at point P1 ("+15"), point P2 ("-3"), point P3 ("-5"), etc., is calculated as "25" as the safety level.

[0041] For example, for route B, the safety score is calculated as a sum of points such as "+15" at point P1, "-3" at point P2, and "+1" at point P4, totaling "30". For example, for route C, the safety score is calculated as a sum of points such as "+15" at point P1, "+10" at point P5, and "+2" at point P6, totaling "50".

[0042] [Route guidance on terminal devices] The arithmetic processing unit 42 calculates the safety level of each path and, for example, identifies a predetermined number of paths from among the multiple paths extracted by the path extraction unit 41 in descending order of safety level. Then, the arithmetic processing unit 42 generates path information that associates the path with its safety level for each identified path, and outputs the generated path information and the identification information of the terminal device 20 to the communication unit 31.

[0043] When the communication unit 31 receives multiple route information and identification information output from the arithmetic processing unit 42, it transmits the multiple route information via the external network 13 to the terminal device 20 corresponding to the identification information. When the terminal device 20 receives the multiple route information transmitted from the server 11, it displays multiple routes in order of increasing security based on this route information, for example.

[0044] Figure 4 shows an example of a state in which multiple routes are displayed on the terminal device 20 shown in Figure 1. In the example shown in Figure 4, the display unit of the terminal device 20 shows routes C and B in order of highest safety level from among routes A, B, and C extracted by the route extraction unit 41. The points included in each of routes C and B and their safety levels are also displayed.

[0045] Furthermore, the terminal device 20 accepts user selection operations for multiple routes displayed on the display unit. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the terminal device 20 displays radio buttons R corresponding to each route.

[0046] Then, when the user selects one of these radio buttons R, the terminal device 20 provides route guidance from the current location to the destination along the route corresponding to the radio button R selected by the user. In the example shown in Figure 4, the user has selected the radio button R corresponding to route C. In this case, the terminal device 20 provides route guidance along route C.

[0047] Furthermore, as described above, the terminal device 20 transmits measurement results from the acceleration sensor mounted on the terminal device 20 to the server 11 while the user is moving. The arithmetic processing unit 42 in the server 11 updates the safety information stored in the memory 34 based on the measurement results and other information from the terminal device 20. Specifically, the arithmetic processing unit 42 updates the safety information by changing the points for the "difficulty of getting lost" item and the "difficulty of tripping" item in the safety information.

[0048] The user may also select a route with a security level of second or lower (route B in the example shown in Figure 4) from among the multiple routes displayed on the terminal device 20.

[0049] Furthermore, the arithmetic processing unit 42 is not limited to a configuration that transmits route information for each of the two routes with the highest level of security to the terminal device 20. For example, the arithmetic processing unit 42 may transmit route information for the single route with the highest level of security to the terminal device 20, or it may transmit route information for each of three or more routes with the highest level of security to the terminal device 20.

[0050] [Notice to raise awareness] Furthermore, the arithmetic processing unit 42 in server 11 can identify dangerous locations based on safety information. Specifically, the arithmetic processing unit 42 identifies dangerous locations as places where the number of users who have gotten lost in the past exceeds a predetermined number, or places where the number of users who have stumbled in the past exceeds a predetermined number. The arithmetic processing unit 42 then transmits dangerous location information, indicating the dangerous locations, to the terminal device 20 via the communication unit 31.

[0051] For example, when performing route guidance, the terminal device 20 refers to the dangerous location information sent from the server 11 to determine whether or not a dangerous location is included in the route to be guided. If the terminal device 20 determines that a dangerous location is included in the route to be guided, it outputs a warning message or sounds an audible warning before the user passes through the dangerous location.

[0052] This allows, for example, users following a route to be encouraged to move carefully when passing through points where they might get lost or stumble.

[0053] [Flow of operations in route guidance] Next, we will explain the operation flow of the navigation system 1. Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing the operation flow of the navigation system 1 shown in Figure 1.

[0054] Referring to Figures 1 to 5, first, when the terminal device 20 receives a destination input from the user (step S11), it transmits destination information indicating the destination, location information indicating its current location, and its own identification information to the server 11 via the base station 12 (step S12).

[0055] Next, when the route extraction unit 41 in the server 11 receives destination information, location information, and identification information transmitted from the terminal device 20 via the communication unit 31, it extracts, for example, multiple routes from the current location of the terminal device 20 to the destination (step S13).

[0056] Next, the arithmetic processing unit 42 in the server 11 identifies the points included in each route extracted by the route extraction unit 41. Then, the arithmetic processing unit 42 refers to the safety information stored in the memory 34 and calculates the safety level as the sum of the points associated with each identified point (step S14).

[0057] Next, the arithmetic processing unit 42 generates route information that associates the route with its safety level for each of the multiple routes extracted by the route extraction unit 41, for example, the route with the first safety level and the route with the second safety level (step S15). Then, the arithmetic processing unit 42 transmits the two generated route information to the terminal device 20 via the communication unit 31 (step S16).

[0058] Next, when the terminal device 20 receives the two routing pieces transmitted from the server 11, it displays two possible routes on its display unit based on these routing pieces (step S17).

[0059] Next, the terminal device 20 starts providing route guidance from the current location to the destination along the route selected by the user (step S18). Then, while route guidance is being performed, the terminal device 20 transmits, for example, the measurement results of the acceleration sensor installed in the terminal device 20 to the server 11 (step S19).

[0060] Next, the arithmetic processing unit 42 in the server 11 updates the safety information stored in the memory 34 based on information such as the measurement results from the acceleration sensor transmitted from the terminal device 20 (step S20). Then, when the user arrives at the destination, the route guidance by the terminal device 20 ends (step S21).

[0061] The transmission of measurement results from the acceleration sensor by the terminal device 20 (step S19) and the updating of safety information by the server 11 (step S20) may be performed after the completion of route guidance by the terminal device 20.

[0062] As described above, in the navigation system 1 according to the embodiment of this disclosure, the communication unit 31 in the server 11 acquires destination information indicating the destination input to the terminal device 20. The route extraction unit 41 in the server 11 extracts one or more routes from the current location of the terminal device 20 to the destination. The arithmetic processing unit 42 in the server 11 calculates the safety level for each route extracted by the route extraction unit 41. The communication unit 31 then preferentially transmits route information indicating the route with the highest safety level among the routes extracted by the route extraction unit 41 to the terminal device 20.

[0063] This configuration allows for the presentation of safer routes to users. In particular, for visually impaired users, the presentation of safer routes reduces the psychological barrier to going out and increases their motivation to leave their homes.

[0064] Furthermore, in the navigation system 1, the calculation processing unit 42 lowers the safety level of the route the more obstacles it includes.

[0065] This configuration allows for the prioritization of routes with fewer obstacles such as curbs, bushes, vending machines, and mailboxes, which can then be presented to the user.

[0066] Furthermore, in the navigation system 1, the calculation processing unit 42 increases the safety level of the route as it includes locations where tactile paving blocks are installed.

[0067] This configuration allows for the presentation of safer routes for visually impaired users.

[0068] Furthermore, in the navigation system 1, the calculation processing unit 42 lowers the safety level of a route if it includes a point where the number of users who have gotten lost in the past exceeds a predetermined number.

[0069] This configuration allows for lower priority to be given to routes that include points where users are likely to get lost, i.e., points that place a significant psychological burden on the user.

[0070] Furthermore, in the navigation system 1, the calculation processing unit 42 lowers the safety level of a route if it includes points where the number of users who have stumbled in the past exceeds a predetermined number.

[0071] This configuration allows for lower priority being presented to users for routes that include dangerous points such as steps or uneven terrain.

[0072] Furthermore, in the navigation system 1, the calculation processing unit 42 identifies locations where the number of users who have gotten lost in the past exceeds a predetermined number, or locations where the number of users who have stumbled in the past exceeds a predetermined number, as dangerous locations. The communication unit 31 then transmits dangerous location information, indicating the dangerous locations identified by the calculation processing unit 42, to the terminal device 20.

[0073] With this configuration, for example, when passing through a place where it is easy to get lost or trip, the terminal device can output notifications to warn the user. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1. Navigation System 11. Server (an example of an information processing device) 12 base station 13 External Network 20 Terminal devices 31. Communication section (acquisition section, transmission section) 32 Control Unit 33 Storage section 34 memory 41 Path extraction unit 42 Arithmetic Processing Unit

Claims

1. The user's terminal device, The terminal device is connected to an information processing device, The aforementioned information processing device is An acquisition unit that acquires destination information indicating a destination entered into the terminal device, A route extraction unit that extracts one or more routes from the current location of the terminal device to the destination, A calculation processing unit for calculating the safety level for each of the aforementioned paths, A navigation system comprising: a transmission unit that prioritizes transmitting route information indicating a route with a high degree of safety from among the routes extracted by the route extraction unit to the terminal device.

2. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the calculation processing unit lowers the safety level as the route includes more locations with obstacles.

3. The navigation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the calculation processing unit increases the level of safety for routes that include locations where tactile paving blocks are provided.

4. The navigation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the calculation processing unit lowers the safety level for routes that include points where the number of users who have gotten lost in the past exceeds a predetermined number.

5. The navigation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the calculation processing unit lowers the safety level for routes that include points where the number of users who have stumbled in the past exceeds a predetermined number.

6. The aforementioned processing unit identifies locations where the number of users who have gotten lost in the past exceeds a predetermined number, or locations where the number of users who have stumbled in the past exceeds a predetermined number, as dangerous locations. The navigation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transmitting unit transmits hazard location information indicating the hazard location to the terminal device.

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