Information display device

Abstract

Inform the user of the accident risk at or near their current location. [Solution] The map data storage device 10 includes a map data storage unit and a transmission unit. The map data storage unit stores map data and accident risk information. When the transmission unit acquires target location information from the information display device, it reads the map data and accident risk information corresponding to that target location information from the map data storage unit and transmits it to the information display device 20. The information display device 20 includes a location information acquisition unit, a display processing unit, and a display. The location information acquisition unit acquires the target location information described above. The display processing unit acquires map information and accident risk information corresponding to the target location information from the map data storage device 10, displays the map indicated by the map information on the display, and also displays the accident risk information on the display.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a map data structure, an information display device, an information display method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in route guidance and the like, a map around the current position of a user has been displayed on a display. For example, Patent Document 1 describes specifying a detour recommended point based on an accident risk and generating detour route information so as to detour through this detour recommended point. Patent Document 1 describes that the detour recommended point is set using a hazard map.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The inventor considered that it is important to convey to the user the accident risk at or near the user's current position. As an example of the problem to be solved by the present invention, conveying to the user the accident risk at or near the user's current position can be cited.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A first invention is a map data structure in which position information for specifying a position, map data corresponding to the position indicated by the position information, and accident risk information, which is information regarding an accident that may occur at the position indicated by the position information, are associated with each other.

[0006] A second invention is an information display device that displays a map, A location information acquisition unit that acquires target location information indicating the location of the target point, A display processing unit retrieves map information corresponding to the target location information from a map data storage unit that stores map information, and displays the map indicated by the map information on a display. Equipped with, The aforementioned map data storage unit further stores accident risk information, which is information relating to accidents that may occur at the location indicated by the location information, in association with the location information. The display processing unit is an information display device that uses the target location information to obtain the accident risk information to be displayed from the map data storage unit and displays the accident risk information on the display.

[0007] The third invention is that computers, Obtain location information indicating the location of the target point, The map data storage unit, which stores map information, retrieves the map information corresponding to the target location information, and displays the map indicated by the map information on the display. The aforementioned map data storage unit further stores accident risk information, which is information relating to accidents that may occur at the location indicated by the location information, in association with the location information. The computer uses the target location information to obtain the accident risk information to be displayed from the map data storage unit, and displays the accident risk information on the display.

[0008] The fourth invention is for computers, A location information acquisition function that obtains target location information indicating the location of the target point, A display function that retrieves map information corresponding to the target location information from a map data storage unit that stores map information, and displays the map indicated by the map information on a display. Give it to him The aforementioned map data storage unit further stores accident risk information, which is information relating to accidents that may occur at the location indicated by the location information, in association with the location information. The display function is a program that uses the target location information to obtain the accident risk information to be displayed from the map data storage unit and displays the accident risk information on the display. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This diagram shows the relationship between the map data storage device and the information display device according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of a map data storage device. [Figure 3] This diagram shows an example of the data structure stored in the map data storage unit. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a data structure for accident risk information. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of an information display device. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a hardware configuration for a map data storage device. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows the first example of processing performed by an information display device. [Figure 8] This figure shows the first example of an image displayed by the display. [Figure 9] This figure shows a second example of an image displayed by the display. [Figure 10] This figure shows a third example of an image displayed by the display. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the relationship between the map data storage device 10 and the information display device 20 according to the embodiment. The map data storage device 10 stores map data. The information display device 20 acquires information indicating the position of a target point (hereinafter referred to as target position information). The target point is, for example, the position of the information display device 20 or the position of the user of the information display device 20, but is not limited thereto. When the information display device 20 is mounted on a vehicle, the target position information indicates, for example, the position of the vehicle in which the user is riding. When the information display device 20 acquires the target position information, it acquires and displays the map data corresponding to the target position information from the information display device 20. In the present embodiment, the map data storage device 10 further stores accident risk information in association with position information. The accident risk information is information on accidents that may occur at that position. For example, the accident risk information is generated using statistical data on accidents. The information display device 20 acquires and displays the accident risk information corresponding to the target position information from the information display device 20. Note that the information display device 20 may display only the accident risk information.

[0012] The map data storage device 10 is, for example, a server, and the information display device 20 is an in-vehicle device or a mobile terminal having a navigation function. In this case, the communication between the map data storage device 10 and the information display device 20 is performed via a public communication network such as the Internet. However, the map data storage device 10 and the information display device 20 may be a single device.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the map data storage device 10. In the example shown in this figure, the map data storage device 10 includes a map data storage unit 110 and a transmission unit 120. The map data storage unit 110 stores map data and accident risk information. When the transmission unit 120 acquires the target position information from the information display device 20, it reads out the map data and accident risk information corresponding to the target position information from the map data storage unit 110 and transmits them to the information display device 20. As an example, the transmission unit 120 transmits the map data and accident risk information of the position indicated by the target position information and its surroundings to the information display device 20.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of data stored in the map data storage unit 110 (hereinafter referred to as the map data structure). The map data structure shown in this figure associates position information, map data corresponding to the position indicated by the position information, and accident risk information at the position indicated by the position information with each other. Here, the position information is, for example, latitude and longitude information, but is not limited thereto. The positions to which the accident risk information is linked include crosswalks, in front of specific facilities (such as stores), intersections, toll road interchanges, and merging points. Also, regarding accidents related to traffic jams, places that can be the end of a traffic jam or places that can be during a traffic jam can also be positions to which the accident risk information is linked.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the accident risk information. The accident risk information shown in this figure has information indicating the type of accident (hereinafter referred to as type information), information regarding the frequency of occurrence of the accident, the occurrence conditions of the accident, and information to be displayed on the information display device 20 (hereinafter referred to as display information).

[0016] The types of accidents indicated by the type information are, for example, rear-end accidents in traffic jams, collision accidents at intersections, accidents with pedestrians, etc. at intersections, accidents during right and left turns at intersections, and head-on collision accidents, but are not limited thereto.

[0017] The information regarding the frequency of occurrence of the accident indicates, for example, how likely the accident is to occur at that location. This information may be normalized, may be the actual number of past accidents, or may be a numerical value set based on the occurrence of past accidents, for example, a value obtained by normalizing the occurrence of past accidents.

[0018] The information regarding accident frequency can be set up, for example, as follows: First, the number of accidents by congestion level is aggregated for each road link that includes the target location. Then, an association analysis is performed on this congestion level and the number of accidents by congestion level, and the confidence level and support level obtained from this association analysis are multiplied together. The result of this multiplication is then used as information regarding accident frequency. Alternatively, the effectiveness of the rule can be verified using a lift value, and the rule may be filtered out.

[0019] The conditions for an accident to occur indicate traffic conditions, such as congestion levels, that make an accident more likely to occur at that location. This information is a condition for displaying the accident risk information, and may include conditions such as traffic congestion, smooth traffic, congestion, or traffic congestion.

[0020] The displayed information indicates the items that should be displayed according to the type of accident indicated by the type information. This information includes, for example, the type of accident, the conditions under which it occurred, and at least one of the precautions. The precautions include cautionary information indicating what should be taken into consideration according to the type of accident. The cautionary information includes, for example, action guidelines to prevent the accident. Action guidelines include, for example, slowing down, checking for safety on the left, and checking for safety on the right.

[0021] Note that the display information may be stored separately from the accident risk information. In this case, the map data storage device 10 stores the display information for each type of accident, linked to the type of accident in question.

[0022] Figure 5 shows an example of the functional configuration of the information display device 20. In the example shown in this figure, the information display device 20 has a location information acquisition unit 210, a display processing unit 220, and a display 230. The location information acquisition unit 210 acquires the target location information described above. The display processing unit 220 acquires map information and accident risk information corresponding to the target location information from the map data storage device 10, and displays the map indicated by the map information on the display 230, as well as the accident risk information on the display 230.

[0023] In this embodiment, the display processing unit 220 further acquires traffic information, such as congestion information, for example via wireless communication. The traffic information includes information about the degree of road congestion. For example, the traffic information indicates the location of congestion or congested areas on the road. As an example, traffic information related to congestion indicates the starting point of the congestion and the length of the congestion. The location information acquisition unit 210 then uses this traffic information to decide whether or not to display accident risk information for the location corresponding to the traffic information.

[0024] Furthermore, it is preferable for the transmission unit 120 of the map data storage device 10 to transmit accident risk information to the information display device 20 in the form of traffic information. General navigation functions have the function of displaying traffic information (for example, roads where congestion is occurring or locations where accidents have occurred) on the map. Therefore, if the information display device 20 has a navigation function, including accident risk information in the traffic information reduces the processing load on the display processing unit 220.

[0025] Figure 6 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the map data storage device 10. The map data storage device 10 includes a bus 1010, a processor 1020, a memory 1030, a storage device 1040, an input / output interface 1050, and a network interface 1060.

[0026] Bus 1010 is a data transmission path for the processor 1020, memory 1030, storage device 1040, input / output interface 1050, and network interface 1060 to send and receive data to and from each other. However, the method of connecting the processor 1020 and the other components to each other is not limited to bus connection.

[0027] Processor 1020 is a processor implemented in components such as the CPU (Central Processing Unit) and GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0028] Memory 1030 is a main memory device implemented using RAM (Random Access Memory), etc.

[0029] The storage device 1040 is an auxiliary storage device implemented as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), memory card, or ROM (Read Only Memory). The storage device 1040 stores program modules that implement the transmission unit 120 of the map data storage device 10. The processor 1020 reads these program modules into memory 1030 and executes them, thereby realizing the functions corresponding to those program modules. The storage device 1040 also functions as the map data storage unit 110. However, the map data storage unit 110 may be external storage.

[0030] The input / output interface 1050 is an interface for connecting the map data storage device 10 with various input / output devices. For example, the map data storage device 10 communicates with the map data storage unit 110, which acts as external storage, via the input / output interface 1050.

[0031] The network interface 1060 is an interface for connecting the map data storage device 10 to a network. This network may be, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The network interface 1060 may connect to the network via a wireless connection or a wired connection. The map data storage device 10 may communicate with the information display device 20 via the network interface 1060.

[0032] The hardware configuration of the information display device 20 is similar to that shown in Figure 6. The storage device 1040 stores program modules that implement each function of the information display device 20 (for example, the location information acquisition unit 210 and the display processing unit 220).

[0033] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing a first example of the processing performed by the information display device 20. In the processing shown in this figure, the display processing unit 220 of the information display device 20 repeatedly acquires traffic information. The information display device 20 also repeatedly performs the processing shown in this figure.

[0034] First, the location information acquisition unit 210 of the information display device 20 acquires target location information (step S10). For example, the location information acquisition unit 210 uses GPS to acquire a value indicating the location of the information display device 20 as target location information.

[0035] Next, the display processing unit 220 transmits the target location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 210 to the map data storage device 10. The transmission unit 120 of the map data storage device 10 reads the map data and accident risk information corresponding to this target location information from the map data storage unit 110 and transmits this map data and accident risk information to the information display device 20.

[0036] The display processing unit 220 of the information display device 20 acquires the map data and accident risk information (step S20) and generates an image to be displayed on the display 230 (step S30). This image includes the map and accident risk information. The display processing unit 220 then displays this image on the display 230 (step S40).

[0037] Figure 8 shows a first example of an image displayed by the display 230. As described above, this image includes a map and accident risk information. In the example shown in this figure, the display processing unit 220 may display all accident risk information corresponding to the area displayed on the display 230, or it may display only accident risk information for a specific location.

[0038] For example, the display processing unit 220 may use route information indicating the user's expected route to estimate the route of the user or the information display device, and select accident risk information corresponding to the locations included in that route to display on the display 230. Here, the route information may be generated using, for example, the user's location information history, or it may be route information indicating the route the user should take. In the former case, the display processing unit 220 uses the user's location information history to estimate the road the user is currently on and makes that road the user's expected route. In the latter case, the route information indicates, for example, the route to the destination.

[0039] In the example shown in this figure, the information displayed on the display 230 as accident risk information includes the name of the accident risk location, the type of accident, and the action guidelines.

[0040] Furthermore, in the example shown in this figure, the accident risk information is displayed pointing to the location indicated by the location information corresponding to that accident risk information, that is, the place where the accident indicated by the accident risk information may occur. The accident risk information displayed on the display 230 includes the name of the place where the accident may occur, the type of accident, and an example of the displayed information, which is a guideline for action.

[0041] Furthermore, accident risk information is displayed along with relative location information. Relative location information shows the relative position between the location indicated by the location information corresponding to the accident risk information and the location indicated by the target location information (for example, the vehicle's current location). For example, if the user's location and the location corresponding to the accident risk information are connected by a single road, the relative location information shows the distance between them when traveling along this road.

[0042] Figure 9 shows a second example of an image displayed by the display 230. As described above, in the map data storage unit 110, accident risk information is linked to traffic information. This traffic information is the condition for displaying the accident risk information (hereinafter referred to as the display condition). The display processing unit 220 then acquires the current traffic information related to the location information corresponding to the accident risk information. The display processing unit 220 then uses this traffic information to decide whether or not to display the accident risk information. Specifically, the display processing unit 220 displays the accident risk information on the display 230 when the current traffic information satisfies the display condition. In other words, the display processing unit 220 does not display the accident risk information on the display 230 when the current traffic information does not satisfy the display condition.

[0043] In the example shown in this figure, the display condition is that traffic congestion is occurring. The current traffic information indicates that traffic congestion is occurring at the target location. The display processing unit 220 then displays accident risk information on the display 230. In the example shown in this figure, the relative position information indicates the relative position between the user's current location and the end of the traffic congestion.

[0044] Furthermore, the accidents indicated by the accident risk information are rear-end collisions at the end of traffic jams. Therefore, the display processing unit 220 sets the point where the accident risk information is displayed to the end of the traffic jam.

[0045] Figure 10 shows a third example of an image displayed by the display 230. In the example shown in this figure, the display processing unit 220 further outputs audio regarding the accident risk information when the relative position between the location indicated by the target location information and the location indicated by the accident risk information meets a criterion. One example of the criterion used here is that the distance indicated by the relative position is below a certain criterion. For example, in the example shown in this figure, the display processing unit 220 outputs this audio when the user approaches an intersection where head-on traffic accidents are common. This makes it easier for the user to recognize that they are approaching a location with a high accident risk.

[0046] In addition to the examples shown in Figures 8 to 10, the following are also possible types of accident risk information. • Risk of rear-end collisions when roads are congested or crowded (at the end of a traffic jam or while in a traffic jam queue) • Risk of personal injury accidents when roads are congested or crowded (e.g., reckless crossing or sudden running into traffic). • Risk of head-on collisions when traffic is smooth or congested on roads leading to intersections. • Accident risk when turning right or left on roads leading into intersections when traffic is smooth or congested. • Risk of head-on collisions when road traffic is smooth or congested.

[0047] Furthermore, regarding the risk of rear-end collisions, it is preferable to display accident risk information at a distance where sufficient deceleration is possible, taking into account the distance from the user's current location to the end of the traffic jam, as well as the user's speed and acceleration / deceleration state. Also, if sufficient deceleration has already been taken, the display processing unit 220 does not need to display the accident risk information.

[0048] For example, if the accident risk information concerns the risk of a rear-end collision at the end of a traffic jam, and there is a traffic jam at the target location, the display processing unit 220 may use the distance from the end of the traffic jam to the vehicle, the vehicle's speed, and the vehicle's acceleration / deceleration to determine whether or not to display the accident risk information on the display 230. For example, the display processing unit 220 determines the likelihood of the vehicle colliding with the end of the traffic jam based on the distance from the end of the traffic jam to the vehicle, the vehicle's speed, and the vehicle's acceleration / deceleration. If the display processing unit 220 determines that this likelihood is high, it displays the accident risk information on the display. On the other hand, if the display processing unit 220 determines that this likelihood is low, it does not display the accident risk information on the display 230.

[0049] Furthermore, if the accident risk information concerns the risk of a rear-end collision at the end of a traffic jam, and a traffic jam is occurring at the target location, the display processing unit 220 may function as follows. First, the display processing unit 220 displays the accident risk information on the display 230 when the distance from the end of the traffic jam to the vehicle falls below a certain threshold. Subsequently, the display processing unit 220 uses the distance from the end of the traffic jam to the vehicle, the vehicle's speed, and the vehicle's acceleration / deceleration to determine whether to redisplay the accident risk information and to output at least one of the other related information. For example, the display processing unit 220 uses the distance from the end of the traffic jam to the vehicle, the vehicle's speed, and the vehicle's acceleration / deceleration to determine the likelihood of the vehicle colliding with the end of the traffic jam. If the display processing unit 220 determines that this likelihood is high, it redisplays the accident risk information and outputs at least one of the other related information. The other output may be, for example, the audio output described above, or it may display an alert on the display 230 in addition to the accident risk information. On the other hand, if the display processing unit 220 determines that this possibility is low, it does not perform any additional processing.

[0050] Furthermore, in the examples shown in Figures 9 and 10, the display processing unit 220 also displays traffic information on the display 230. However, the display processing unit 220 does not need to display traffic information when displaying accident risk information that is not correlated with or has a low correlation with the degree of congestion.

[0051] Furthermore, the display processing unit 220 repeatedly displays accident risk information on the display 230 as needed. For example, if, after displaying or outputting accident risk information, the action indicated in the action guideline (e.g., slowing down) is not taken, the accident risk has increased, and the display processing unit 220 will display or output accident risk information again.

[0052] As described above, according to this embodiment, the structure of the map data stored in the map data storage device 10 is such that location information is associated with accident risk information at the location indicated by the location information. Therefore, by using the information display device 20, the accident risk at the user's current location or nearby can be conveyed to the user.

[0053] The embodiments and examples described above with reference to the drawings are illustrative examples of the present invention, and various other configurations can also be adopted. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0054] 10 Map data storage device 20 Information display device 110 Map data storage unit 120 Transmitter 210 Location information acquisition unit 220 Display Processing Unit 230 displays

Claims

[Claim 1] An information display device that displays a map, A location information acquisition unit that acquires target location information indicating the location of the target point, A display processing unit retrieves map information corresponding to the target location information from a map data storage unit that stores map information, and displays the map indicated by the map information on a display. Equipped with, The aforementioned map data storage unit further stores accident risk information, which is information relating to the number of accidents that may occur at the location indicated by the location information, in association with the location information. The display processing unit uses the target location information to obtain the accident risk information to be displayed from the map data storage unit and displays the accident risk information on the display.

Images