Information processing device, information processing method, program, and storage medium

Abstract

Display information regarding the entrances and exits of smart interchanges on expressways appropriately. [Solution] The information processing device comprises a display means and a determination means. The display means displays highway mode when the vehicle is traveling on a highway. The determination means determines whether there is an entrance or exit to a smart interchange on the highway based on the highway road network data. The display means also displays the entrance or exit to the smart interchange if one exists.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the display of road-related information.

Background Art

[0002] Smart interchanges (hereinafter referred to as "smart ICs") are installed on Japanese expressways. A smart IC is a smaller-scale interchange than ordinary interchanges, and allows entry and exit to and from expressways using an ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) system. Patent Document 1 describes a method in which availability information of facilities such as service areas (SA) and parking areas (PA) provided with smart ICs is stored and presented to users traveling on expressways.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when auxiliary information related to a smart IC is not prepared, information cannot be presented to users. In fact, when a new smart IC is newly established, labor and cost are required to prepare the corresponding auxiliary information, so auxiliary information is not always prepared for every smart IC.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one object thereof is to appropriately display information related to entrances and exits of smart ICs on expressways.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] The invention described in the claims is an information processing device, A display means that shows highway mode when the vehicle is traveling on a highway, The system includes a determination means for determining the presence or absence of an entrance or exit for a smart interchange on the expressway based on the road network data of the expressway, The display means displays the entrance or exit of the smart interchange if such an entrance or exit exists.

[0007] The invention described in the claims is an information processing method performed by a computer, When the vehicle is traveling on a highway, the highway mode display is shown. Based on the road network data of the aforementioned expressway, the presence or absence of an entrance or exit for a smart interchange on the expressway is determined. The highway mode display includes, if such a smart interchange has an entrance or exit, a display of the entrance or exit of the smart interchange.

[0008] The invention described in the claim is a program executed by a computer, When the vehicle is traveling on a highway, the highway mode display is shown. Based on the road network data of the aforementioned expressway, the computer is instructed to perform a process to determine whether or not there is an entrance or exit for a smart interchange on the expressway. The highway mode display includes, if such a smart interchange has an entrance or exit, a display of the entrance or exit of the smart interchange. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] An example of the configuration of the guidance system according to the embodiment is shown. [Figure 2] An example of the configuration of the information processing device according to the embodiment is shown. [Figure 3] Here is an example of data for highways. [Figure 4]This shows information on facilities A and B in the highway data, along with an example of how they are displayed. [Figure 5] This shows information on facilities A and B in the highway data, along with an example of how they are displayed. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram of a method for determining the entrance and exit points of a smart interchange based on road data. [Figure 7] This shows an example of a sign indicating traffic restrictions at a smart interchange. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart of the display processing in highway mode. [Figure 9] A diagram showing an example configuration of a guidance system related to a modified version. [Figure 10] A diagram showing the schematic configuration of a modified server device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the information processing device includes a display means that displays a highway mode when a vehicle is traveling on a highway, and a determination means that determines whether or not there is an entrance or exit to a smart interchange on the highway based on road network data of the highway, wherein the display means displays the entrance or exit to the smart interchange if such an entrance or exit exists.

[0011] The above-described information processing device comprises a display means and a determination means. The display means displays highway mode when the vehicle is traveling on a highway. The determination means determines the presence or absence of a smart interchange entrance or exit on the highway based on the highway's road network data. The display means also displays the entrance or exit of a smart interchange if one exists. This allows for the appropriate display of information regarding smart interchange entrances and exits on highways.

[0012] In one aspect of the above information processing apparatus, the determination means determines whether there is an entrance or exit of a smart IC based on highway data for displaying a highway mode, and when the highway data does not include information of the smart IC exit, determines whether there is an entrance or exit of the smart IC based on the road network data.

[0013] In one aspect of the above information processing apparatus, the determination means acquires attribute data of a road link branching from the expressway from road network data of the expressway, and determines whether the road link corresponds to an entrance or exit of a smart IC based on the attribute data.

[0014] In one aspect of the above information processing apparatus, the attribute data includes traffic restrictions according to the vehicle type of the vehicle, and the determination means determines whether the road link corresponds to an entrance or exit of a smart IC based on the vehicle type of the vehicle and the traffic restrictions according to the vehicle type.

[0015] In one aspect of the above information processing apparatus, the attribute data includes traffic restrictions according to time zones, the determination means determines whether the road link corresponds to an entrance or exit of a smart IC based on the traffic restrictions according to the time zones.

[0016] In one aspect of the above information processing apparatus, when a road link corresponding to the entrance or exit of the smart IC branches from an expressway facility, the display means displays the entrance or exit of the smart IC in association with the expressway facility.

[0017] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the information processing method performed by the computer, when the vehicle is traveling on a highway, performs a highway mode display, determines the presence or absence of an entrance or exit to a smart interchange on the highway based on the highway's road network data, and the highway mode display includes, if such an entrance or exit to a smart interchange exists, the display of the entrance or exit to the smart interchange. This makes it possible to appropriately display information regarding the entrances and exits to smart interchanges on the highway.

[0018] In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a program executed by a computer displays a highway mode when a vehicle is traveling on a highway, and causes the computer to perform a process to determine whether there is an entrance or exit to a smart interchange on the highway based on the highway's road network data, and the highway mode display includes a display of the entrance or exit to the smart interchange if such an entrance or exit exists. By executing this program on a computer, the above information processing device can be realized. This program can be stored on a storage medium and used. This makes it possible to appropriately display information regarding the entrances and exits to smart interchanges on highways. [Examples]

[0019] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0020] [Information Processing Device] Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of a guidance system according to an embodiment. The guidance system 100 has an information processing device 1 that moves together with the vehicle Ve in which the user is riding. The vehicle Ve can be treated as an example of a moving object.

[0021] Information processing device 1 performs navigation as the vehicle Ve moves. Specifically, information processing device 1 determines the current position of vehicle Ve, displays a map of the area around the current position, and displays a vehicle position marker on the map indicating the position of vehicle Ve. Furthermore, if the user requests route guidance, information processing device 1 searches for a route to the destination entered by the user and provides route guidance along that route. Hereinafter, the process of displaying a map of the area around vehicle Ve's current position and updating the display as vehicle Ve moves, both during and outside of route guidance, will be referred to as "navigation."

[0022] The information processing device 1 may be a dedicated navigation device installed in the vehicle Ve that provides route guidance to a set destination, or it may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone carried by the user. Alternatively, the information processing device 1 may be integrated into the vehicle Ve.

[0023] Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of an information processing device 1 according to an embodiment. The information processing device 1 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, an input unit 13, a control unit 14, a sensor group 15, a display unit 16, a sound collection unit 17, a sound output unit 18, and an in-vehicle imaging unit 19. Each element of the information processing device 1 is interconnected via a bus line 10.

[0024] The communication unit 11 performs data communication with external devices based on the control of the control unit 14. The communication unit 11 can also acquire driving data from external devices that shows the driving status and / or driving history of multiple vehicles, such as probe data. Furthermore, the communication unit 11 can acquire data from external devices, such as map data and road data, which can be used for route guidance.

[0025] The memory unit 12 is composed of various storage media such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and non-volatile memory (including hard disk drives, flash memory, etc.). The memory unit 12 also stores programs for the information processing device 1 to execute predetermined processes. Furthermore, the memory unit 12 is used as working memory for the control unit 14. Note that the programs executed by the information processing device 1 may be stored in storage media other than the memory unit 12.

[0026] Furthermore, the memory unit 12 stores a map database 121 and highway data 122 for the highway mode, which will be described later.

[0027] Map DB121 contains map data and road data obtained by the communication unit 11. The map data includes, for example, data necessary for map display based on a predetermined location such as the current location of vehicle Ve. The road data includes, for example, data representing the road network by combinations of nodes and links. The road data also includes, for example, data indicating the link length and attributes of roads corresponding to each link that constitutes the road network. The data indicating road attributes may include, for example, the type of road, facilities on the road, and the name of the road. The map data and road data contained in Map DB121 can be updated to the latest data, for example, at regular intervals, according to the control of the control unit 14. In this embodiment, links can be set as sections that divide the road network in any way. For example, links in this embodiment can be set as sections of any length and / or any shape. Also, links in this embodiment may be set as sections that include nodes, or as sections that do not include nodes.

[0028] Highway data is primarily used in highway mode and includes information about facilities such as interchanges, service areas, and parking areas on expressways. Further details about highway data will be provided later.

[0029] The input unit 13 has a user interface that accepts user input. The input unit 13 may include at least one user interface, such as a button, touch panel, and remote controller. The display unit 16 displays information based on the control of the control unit 14. The display unit 16 may include at least one device, such as a display and projector. The sound collection unit 17 collects sounds from inside the vehicle Ve, especially the driver's speech. The sound collection unit 17 may include a device such as a microphone. The sound output unit 18 outputs sound based on the control of the control unit 14. The sound output unit 18 may include a device such as a speaker. The interior camera unit 19 has at least one camera for photographing the interior of the vehicle Ve. It is also desirable that the interior camera unit 19 has a camera positioned to photograph at least the area around the driver's seat.

[0030] The sensor group 15 includes various sensors that perform sensing of the vehicle Ve or the environment outside the vehicle. The sensor group 15 has an external sensor 20 and an internal sensor 21.

[0031] The external sensor 20 has one or more sensors for recognizing the surrounding environment of the vehicle Ve. The external sensor 20 may include, for example, a lidar, radar, ultrasonic sensor, infrared sensor, sonar, and camera.

[0032] The internal sensor 21 has one or more sensors for positioning the vehicle Ve. The internal sensor 21 may include, for example, a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver, a gyro sensor, a tilt sensor, an acceleration sensor, an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), and a vehicle speed sensor.

[0033] Furthermore, the sensor group 15 only needs to include sensors from which the control unit 14 can directly or indirectly derive the position, attitude, and speed of the vehicle Ve from the output of the sensor group 15 (i.e., by performing estimation processing).

[0034] The control unit 14 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and other components, and controls the entire information processing device 1. For example, the control unit 14 acquires position data, attitude data, and speed data of the vehicle Ve based on the output of one or more sensors included in the sensor group 15. The control unit 14 may also acquire data that includes the direction of travel of the vehicle Ve as the position data of the vehicle Ve. Furthermore, when a destination is specified by the input unit 13 or the sound collection unit 17, the control unit 14 generates route information indicating the guidance route to the destination, and provides route guidance based on this route information, the estimated position information of the vehicle Ve, and the map DB 121. In this case, the control unit 14 outputs audio related to the guidance route from the sound output unit 18 and displays information related to the guidance route on the display unit 16. The control unit 14 also controls the display unit 16 to display information about the music being played, video content, or a map of the area around the current location.

[0035] Furthermore, the processing performed by the control unit 14 is not limited to being implemented by software through a program, but may also be implemented by any combination of hardware, firmware, and software. Also, the processing performed by the control unit 14 may be implemented using a user-programmable integrated circuit, such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or a microcontroller. In this case, the program executed by the control unit 14 in this embodiment may be implemented using this integrated circuit. Thus, the control unit 14 may be implemented using hardware other than a processor.

[0036] The configuration of the information processing device 1 shown in Figure 2 is an example, and various modifications may be made to the configuration shown in Figure 2. For example, instead of the storage unit 12 storing the map DB 121 and highway data 122, the control unit 14 may receive information equivalent to the map DB 121 and highway data 122 from a map management server (not shown) via the communication unit 11. In another example, at least one of the input unit 13, display unit 16, and sound output unit 18 may be provided inside the target vehicle as an external device to the information processing device 1, and the generated signals may be supplied to the information processing device 1. Also, at least some of the sensors in the sensor group 15 may be sensors installed on the vehicle Ve. In this case, the information processing device 1 may acquire information output by the sensors installed on the vehicle Ve from the vehicle Ve based on a communication protocol such as CAN (Controller Area Network).

[0037] In the above configuration, the control unit 14 also functions as a display means and a determination means. Furthermore, the control unit 14 can be treated as an example of a computer.

[0038] [Highway Mode] When the vehicle Ve enters an expressway or motorway (hereinafter collectively referred to as "expressway") during navigation, the information processing device 1 performs navigation in highway mode. "Highway mode" is a dedicated screen display mode that displays facility names, distances, traffic information, etc., on the expressway when the vehicle is traveling on an expressway, and is sometimes called a highway monitor or expressway diagram. Generally, in highway mode, expressway facilities such as interchanges (IC), service areas (SA), and parking areas (PA) ahead of the vehicle's current location are displayed. In addition, in highway mode, a map of the area around the vehicle Ve's current location may be displayed as an auxiliary, or it may not be displayed.

[0039] The highway mode display uses highway data, which is special data for screen display. Unlike road data, highway data is data that collects information on facilities such as interchanges, service areas, and parking areas (referred to as "highway facilities") on each highway. When the information processing device 1 detects that vehicle Ve has entered a highway, it uses the highway data to perform navigation in highway mode. Specifically, in highway mode, the information processing device 1 displays information on multiple highway facilities beyond the vehicle Ve's current location in a list.

[0040] Figure 3 shows an example of highway data. Highway data is primarily for displaying information in highway mode. In the example in Figure 3, the highway data includes road name, direction information, facility type, facility name, junction, merge, exit, entrance, distance to the next facility, and store information. "Road name" is the name of the expressway, and "direction information" indicates whether the expressway is inbound or outbound. "Facility type" indicates the type of expressway facility, such as IC, SA, PA, junction (JCT), ramp, or smart IC. "Facility name" is the name of the facility. "Junction" indicates whether there is a junction at the expressway facility, and "Merge" indicates whether there is a merge at the expressway facility. "Exit" indicates whether there is an exit at the expressway facility, and "Entrance" indicates whether there is an entrance at the expressway facility. "Distance to the next facility" indicates the distance to the next facility. "Store information" shows information about stores attached to the facility.

[0041] On expressways, in addition to regular interchanges (ICs), smart interchanges (Smart ICs) are sometimes provided. There are two types of smart ICs: "SA / PA connected type" located at service areas (SAs) and parking areas (PAs), and "main line direct connection type" that provides direct access to the main expressway. Furthermore, some smart ICs have only an entrance or only an exit. In highway mode, information indicating the presence or absence of a smart IC entrance or exit is generally displayed. In this case, the information processing device 1 displays the smart IC entrance or exit based on the smart IC entrance or exit information included in the highway data.

[0042] Figure 4(A) schematically shows the information for facilities A and B in the highway data of Figure 3. Facility A is a PA (parking area) and has an exit but no entrance to a smart interchange. Facility B is also a PA and has an entrance to a smart interchange but no exit. Figure 4(B) is an example of the display in highway mode in this case. In the example of Figure 4(B), the plate 42 for facility A, the plate 43 for ○○ IC, and the plate 44 for facility B are displayed in front of the vehicle position mark 41 which indicates the current position of vehicle Ve. As described above, the highway data indicates that facility A is a PA and has an exit but no entrance to a smart interchange. Therefore, the information processing device 1 displays the PA icon 42a and the smart interchange icon 42b on the plate 42 of facility A. Also, the highway data indicates that facility B is a PA and has an entrance to a smart interchange but no exit. Therefore, the information processing device 1 displays the PA icon 44a on the plate 44 of facility B. Although facility B has a smart interchange entrance, in highway mode, vehicle Ve is traveling on the highway, and information about the smart interchange entrance is unnecessary for the user, so it is not displayed.

[0043] In highway mode, the above display is possible using highway data, but highway data may not include information on the entrances and exits of smart interchanges. In that case, the entrances and exits of smart interchanges cannot be displayed correctly in highway mode. Highway data is generally updated in accordance with the development of expressways, but when a smart interchange is newly constructed, it takes some time to prepare information on that smart interchange. For this reason, the highway data may not have been updated for newly constructed smart interchanges. In this case, the information processing device 1 cannot display information on the entrances and exits of smart interchanges in highway mode.

[0044] Figure 5(A) schematically shows the information for facilities A and B in the highway data when there is no information on the entrance and exit of the smart interchange. Figure 5(B) is an example of the display in highway mode in this case. In this case, when the information processing device 1 refers to the highway data, it can see that smart interchanges are attached to facilities A and B, but it cannot see whether there are entrances and exits. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5(B), the information processing device 1 displays smart interchange icons 42b and 44b for both facilities A and B. However, a user who sees this display may mistakenly believe that there are smart interchange exits at both facilities A and B.

[0045] Therefore, in this embodiment, if the highway data does not contain information regarding the entrances and exits of smart interchanges, the information processing device 1 generates information regarding the entrances and exits of smart interchanges based on road data and executes highway mode. This road data is road network data used for route searching and the like.

[0046] Specifically, the information processing device 1 tracks links branching off from the main highway line by referring to road data and determines whether or not there is an entrance or exit for a smart interchange. In the road data, links for the entrance or exit of a smart interchange are marked with an attribute indicating that they are the entrance or exit for a smart interchange. Therefore, the information processing device 1 examines this attribute to determine whether or not there is an entrance or exit for a smart interchange and displays the highway mode.

[0047] Figure 6 illustrates a method for determining the presence or absence of smart interchange entrances and exits based on road data. First, the information processing device 1 refers to the road data and obtains link L1 of the main highway line on which vehicle Ve is traveling. Next, the information processing device 1 searches for links branching off from link L1 of the main highway line. In the example in Figure 6, the information processing device 1 finds link L11, which branches off from link L1, and determines whether this link L11 is an entrance or exit to a smart interchange. In the road data, links that are entrances or exits to smart interchanges are given an attribute indicating this, so the information processing device 1 determines whether each link has an attribute indicating that it is an entrance or exit to a smart interchange. In this way, the information processing device 1 tracks the connected links to find the entrance or exit links to smart interchanges. In the example in Figure 6, with respect to facility A, the information processing device 1 follows the links L1 → L11 → L12 → L13 and determines that link L13 is the exit link to the smart interchange. Similarly, for facility B, the information processing device 1 follows the links from link L1 on the main highway to links L1→L21→L22 and determines that link L22 is the entrance link to the smart interchange. Furthermore, the information processing device 1 follows the connected links L23→L24 and, if it finds the exit link to the smart interchange, displays an icon indicating the smart interchange exit in highway mode, as exemplified in Figure 4(B). Note that if the information processing device 1 follows the links branching off from the main highway links as described above and does not find any entrance or exit links to the smart interchange, it determines that there are no entrances or exits to the smart interchange on the road branching off from that highway. As a result, in the example in Figure 6, it is determined that facility A has a smart interchange exit, and facility B has a smart interchange entrance but no exit, and the information processing device 1 can display the same information as in Figure 4(B).

[0048] Thus, in this embodiment, if the highway data does not include information on the entrances and exits of smart interchanges, the presence or absence of smart interchange entrances and exits is determined based on the road data, and the highway mode display is executed based on the determination result. Therefore, even if the information regarding smart interchange entrances and exits in the highway data has not been updated, the display in highway mode can still be performed.

[0049] Furthermore, if the smart interchange is of the service area / parking area connection type as described above, the information processing device 1 displays the entrance or exit of the smart interchange along with information about the service area or parking area where the smart interchange is located. On the other hand, if the smart interchange is of the main line direct connection type as described above, the information processing device 1 displays the entrance or exit of the smart interchange as a standalone expressway facility.

[0050] Furthermore, the information processing device 1 can display not only the presence or absence of entrances and exits to smart interchanges, but also the passability of smart interchanges for each vehicle type (such as restrictions on large vehicles) and time restrictions (such as restrictions on nighttime traffic). For example, suppose that a restriction on large vehicles is set as supplementary information for link L13 shown in Figure 6. In this case, as shown in Figure 7(A), the information processing device 1 displays an icon 51 for regular vehicles indicating that it is a smart interchange exit, but does not display an icon for large vehicles indicating that it is a smart interchange exit.

[0051] Furthermore, for example, suppose that link L13 shown in Figure 6 has a nighttime traffic restriction (no passage from 22:00 to 5:00 the following morning) set as supplementary information. In this case, as shown in Figure 7(B), the information processing device 1 displays an icon 52 indicating that it is a smart IC exit outside of the nighttime traffic restriction period, but does not display an icon indicating that it is a smart IC exit during the traffic restriction period.

[0052] Thus, if road data includes information on traffic restrictions based on vehicle type and time of day for links to the entrance and exit of a smart interchange, the information processing device 1 can display the entrance and exit of the smart interchange in highway mode, taking into account the content of those traffic restrictions.

[0053] [Highway mode display processing] Next, we will explain the display processing in highway mode. Figure 8 is a flowchart of the display processing in highway mode. This processing is achieved by the control unit 14 shown in Figure 2 executing a pre-prepared program.

[0054] First, the control unit 14 determines the current position of the vehicle Ve based on the output from the sensor group 15 and determines whether the vehicle Ve is on a highway, that is, whether or not to display highway mode (step S11). If the vehicle Ve is not on a highway, that is, if highway mode is not to be displayed (step S11: No), the process ends.

[0055] On the other hand, when displaying highway mode (step S11: Yes), the control unit 14 acquires vehicle information for vehicle Ve (step S12). Here, the control unit 14 acquires the vehicle type of vehicle Ve (whether it is a passenger car or a large vehicle) as vehicle information, which will be used to determine whether the vehicle is permitted to pass, as described later. Next, the control unit 14 determines the highway route for which information will be created (step S13). Specifically, the control unit 14 recognizes the highway route on which vehicle Ve is traveling by referring to road data, and sets that route as the route for which information will be created.

[0056] Next, the control unit 14 determines whether there is a branch ahead of the vehicle Ve's current position on the main line of that route (step S14). If there is no branch on the main line (step S14: No), there is no smart interchange on that route, so the control unit 14 updates the highway mode display according to the vehicle Ve's movement (step S27) and returns to step S11.

[0057] On the other hand, if there is a branch on the main line (step S14: Yes), the control unit 14 acquires information about the expressway facilities located beyond the branch (step S15). Expressway facilities include interchanges, service areas, parking areas, junctions, ramps, smart interchanges, etc. A ramp is part of the structure of an interchange or junction and refers to a road that connects intersecting roads when roads are grade-separated.

[0058] Next, the control unit 14 refers to the highway data and determines whether the highway facilities acquired in step S15 include interchanges, ramps, smart interchanges, etc. (step S16). If the acquired highway facilities do not include interchanges, ramps, smart interchanges, etc. (step S16: No), there are no exits from the highway to the acquired highway facilities, so the control unit 14 sets the information that there are no exits (step S26) and proceeds to step S18.

[0059] On the other hand, if the acquired highway facilities include ICs, ramps, smart ICs, etc. (Step S16: Yes), the control unit 14 determines whether or not there is exit or entrance information in the highway data (Step S17). If there is exit or entrance information in the highway data (Step S17: No), the control unit 14 determines whether or not there is exit information (Step S18). If there is exit information (Step S18: Yes), the control unit 14 displays the type of IC, ramp, or smart IC (Step S19). This displays whether the next highway facility is an IC, ramp, or smart IC in highway mode, and if there is a smart IC exit at that highway facility, it is displayed. Then the process returns to Step S14, and the control unit 14 searches for the next branch.

[0060] On the other hand, if there is no exit information (step S18: No), there is no exit from the highway beyond that branch, so the process returns to step S14, and the control unit 14 searches for the next branch. In this way, the control unit 14 refers to the highway data for each highway facility branching off from the main line of the route that vehicle Ve is traveling on, determines whether there is an exit for a smart interchange, and if an interchange, ramp, or smart interchange exit exists, it displays it in highway mode.

[0061] On the other hand, if in step S17 it is determined that there is no exit or entrance information in the highway data (step 17: No), it is presumed that the highway data has not yet been completed. Therefore, the control unit 14 searches for the smart interchange exit based on the road data.

[0062] Specifically, first, the control unit 14 determines whether or not there is a road link outside the main highway in the direction of travel of the vehicle Ve (step S20). This process corresponds to the process of searching for links L11 and L21 in Figure 6. If there is no road link outside the main highway (step S20), the control unit 14 sets the information that there is no exit (step S26), and the process proceeds to step S18.

[0063] On the other hand, if there is a road link outside the main line (Step S20: Yes), the control unit 14 determines whether or not there is an exit for an interchange, ramp, or smart interchange in the type of road link (Step S21). If there is no exit for an interchange, ramp, or smart interchange in the type of road link (Step S21: No), the process returns to Step S20, and the control unit 14 searches for the next road link outside the main line. This process corresponds to the process of searching for the next links L12 and L22 in Figure 6. On the other hand, if there is an exit for an interchange, ramp, or smart interchange in the type of road link (Step S21: Yes), the control unit 14 determines whether or not traffic restrictions are set for that road link (Step S22).

[0064] If no traffic restrictions are set on the road link (step S22: No), the process proceeds to step S25. On the other hand, if traffic restrictions are set on the road link (step S22: Yes), the control unit 14 determines whether vehicle Ve is a vehicle that can travel on the road link based on the vehicle type traffic restrictions (step S23). In this case, the control unit 14 determines whether vehicle Ve is a vehicle that can travel on the road link based on the vehicle information obtained in step S12. If it is not a vehicle that can travel on the road link (step S23: No), the process proceeds to step S26.

[0065] On the other hand, if the vehicle is passable (step S23: Yes), the control unit 14 determines whether it is possible for the vehicle to travel on that road link based on time-based traffic restrictions (step S24). If it is not possible to travel on that road link (step S24: No), the process proceeds to step S26. On the other hand, if it is possible to travel on that road link (step S24: Yes), the process proceeds to step S25. Then, in step S25, the control unit 14 sets information indicating that there is an exit, and in step S26, it sets information indicating that there is no exit. In this way, in steps S20 to S26, the control unit 14 sequentially tracks the links branching off from the main line of the expressway and determines whether there is an exit from the expressway, that is, whether there is an IC, ramp, or smart IC exit.

[0066] Next, in step S18, the control unit 14 determines whether or not there is exit information. If there is exit information (step S18: Yes), the control unit 14 displays the type of IC, ramp, or smart IC (step S19). This indicates whether the next highway facility is an IC, ramp, or smart IC in highway mode, and if a smart IC exit exists at that highway facility, it is displayed. On the other hand, if there is no exit information (step S18: No), the process returns to step S14.

[0067] In this way, the control unit 14 determines whether there is a branch off from the main highway on which the vehicle Ve is traveling. If there is a branch, it identifies the highway facility beyond the branch, refers to the highway data to determine if there is a smart interchange exit at that highway facility, and displays that if there is a smart interchange exit. On the other hand, if the highway data does not contain information on smart interchange entrances or exits, the control unit 14 refers to the road data to follow the link beyond the branch, determines whether there is a smart interchange exit based on the attributes attached to the link, and displays that if there is a smart interchange exit. In this way, even if the highway data does not contain information on smart interchange exits, the control unit 14 can determine and display the presence or absence of a smart interchange exit by following the road data.

[0068] [Differentiation] Next, we will describe some modifications suitable for the above-described embodiments. For simplicity, detailed explanations of the parts to which the previously described processes can be applied will be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, the following modifications may be applied in combination to the above-described embodiments.

[0069] (Variation 1) In the above embodiment, when the information processing device 1 determines whether or not there is a smart interchange exit on the highway on which the vehicle Ve is traveling, it first refers to highway data, and if the highway data does not contain information on the entrance and exit of the smart interchange, it refers to road data. Alternatively, the information processing device 1 may always refer to road data without using highway data to determine the presence or absence of a smart interchange exit and display the information in highway mode. According to this modification, even if highway data is not available or if the highway data is inaccurate, the smart interchange exit can be displayed accurately in highway mode.

[0070] (Modification 2) In the above embodiment, only the exit of the smart interchange is displayed in highway mode. However, instead, both the entrance and exit of the smart interchange may be displayed in highway mode. In that case, the entrance and exit of the smart interchange should be displayed separately to prevent users from making mistakes.

[0071] (Variation 3) According to the embodiment described above, at least some of the processes performed by the information processing device 1 may be performed by a server device that communicates data with the information processing device 1.

[0072] Figure 9 shows an example configuration of a modified guidance system. The guidance system 100A includes an information processing device 1A and a server device 200. The information processing device 1A and the server device 200 communicate data via a network 150.

[0073] The information processing device 1A has the same configuration as the information processing device 1 described in the above embodiment (see Figure 2). Note that if the server device 200 performs processing based on the data stored in the map DB 121 and highway data 122, the information processing device 1A does not need to store this data. Furthermore, the information processing device 1A transmits the information input at the input unit 13, and the information obtained by the sensor group 15, etc., to the server device 200.

[0074] Figure 10 shows a schematic configuration of a modified server device. As shown in Figure 10, the server device 200 includes a communication unit 301, a storage unit 302, and a control unit 304. The communication unit 301, the storage unit 302, and the control unit 304 are interconnected via a bus line 300.

[0075] The communication unit 301 transmits and receives various types of data via the network 150 based on the control of the control unit 304. The storage unit 302 is composed of, for example, an HDD. The storage unit 302 also stores map DB 321 and highway data 322, which correspond to map DB 121 and highway data 122 in Figure 2. The control unit 304 has memory such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM, and performs overall control of the server device 200 by executing programs stored in memory. The control unit 304 can also be treated as an example of a computer.

[0076] With the configuration described above, the control unit 304 can acquire the current location data of the vehicle Ve transmitted from the information processing device 1A. Then, based on the current location data of the vehicle Ve, the control unit 304 can identify the highway on which the vehicle Ve is traveling and perform the display process shown in Figure 8 to display the highway mode.

[0077] According to this modified example, the same processing performed in server device 200 may be performed in a server system having multiple server devices.

[0078] In each of the embodiments described above, the program can be stored using various types of non-transitory computer-readable medium and supplied to a control unit, which is a computer. Non-transitory computer-readable medium includes various types of tangible storage medium. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable medium include magnetic storage medium (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical storage medium (e.g., magneto-optical disks), CD-ROM (Read Only Memory), CD-R, CD-R / W, and semiconductor memory (e.g., mask ROM, PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM (Random Access Memory)).

[0079] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications to the structure and details of the present invention can be made that are understandable to those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention. That is, the present invention naturally includes the full disclosure, including the claims, and various modifications and alterations that those skilled in the art could make in accordance with the technical idea. Furthermore, each disclosure of the above-mentioned patent documents and other references is incorporated herein by reference. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1. 1A Information Processing Device 11, 301 Communications Department 12, 302 Storage section 121, 321 Map Database 122, 322 Highway data 14, 304 Control Unit 100 Guidance System 200 Server Devices

Claims

1. A display means that shows highway mode when the vehicle is traveling on a highway, The system includes a determination means for determining the presence or absence of an entrance or exit for a smart interchange on the expressway based on the road network data of the expressway, The display means is an information processing device that displays the entrance or exit of the smart IC when an entrance or exit of the smart IC exists.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the determination means determines whether there is an entrance or exit to a smart interchange based on highway data for displaying highway mode, and if the highway data does not include information on the smart interchange exit, it determines whether there is an entrance or exit to the smart interchange based on the road network data.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination means obtains attribute data of a road link branching off from the expressway from the road network data of the expressway, and determines whether the road link corresponds to an entrance or exit of a smart interchange based on the attribute data.

4. The aforementioned attribute data includes traffic regulations according to the type of vehicle, The information processing device according to claim 3, wherein the determination means determines whether the road link corresponds to an entrance or exit of a smart interchange based on the type of vehicle and traffic regulations corresponding to the type of vehicle.

5. The aforementioned attribute data includes traffic restrictions based on time of day. The information processing device according to claim 3, wherein the determination means determines whether the road link corresponds to an entrance or exit of a smart interchange based on traffic restrictions based on the time period.

6. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein, if a road link corresponding to the entrance or exit of the smart interchange branches off from the expressway facility, the display means displays the entrance or exit of the smart interchange in association with the expressway facility.

7. A method of information processing performed by a computer, When the vehicle is traveling on a highway, the highway mode display is shown. Based on the road network data of the aforementioned expressway, the presence or absence of an entrance or exit for a smart interchange on the expressway is determined. The highway mode display is an information processing method that includes displaying the entrance or exit of the smart interchange if such an entrance or exit exists.

8. A program executed by a computer, When the vehicle is traveling on a highway, the highway mode display is shown. Based on the road network data of the aforementioned expressway, the computer is instructed to perform a process to determine whether or not there is an entrance or exit for a smart interchange on the expressway. The highway mode display is a program that includes a display of the entrance or exit of the smart interchange if such an entrance or exit exists.

9. A storage medium storing the program of claim 8.

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