Map information creation device, map information creation method, map information creation program, and route search device

Abstract

To provide a map information creation device for creating map information while identifying roads with an entry prohibition regulation prohibiting specific vehicles from entering.SOLUTION: A map information creation device comprises: an acquisition section for acquiring vehicle travel information indicating at least a position where a vehicle travels; a first identification section for identifying a predetermined area where a traffic volume is equal to or more than a fixed level based on a plurality of pieces of vehicle travel information; a second identification section for identifying a traffic volume small zone, where a traffic volume is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, in the predetermined area based on the plurality of pieces of vehicle travel information; and a registration section for registering in map data a road overlapping the traffic volume small zone, which is identified by the second identification section, as a road with an entry prohibition regulation prohibiting an entry of specific vehicles.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , , , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a map information creation device for creating map information, and a route search device for performing route search based on the created map information.

Background Art

[0002] There are roads with access prohibition regulations that prohibit entry of vehicles other than specific vehicles. Such access prohibition regulations may admit exceptions such as excluding resident vehicles, and may be installed on the road as auxiliary signs together with the access prohibition regulation signs. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for excluding exception results, which are driving results formed by vehicles that are exceptionally permitted to drive, from driving results in a restricted area where vehicle passage is restricted, and determining the passability of each location based on the aggregation result obtained by aggregating the driving results for each location. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for comparing driving routes during normal times and a specific period for roads with a large number of driving results, and estimating whether driving is restricted.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and one objective is to provide a map information creation device, a map information creation method, and a map information creation program that disclose a method for identifying roads with entry restrictions and reflecting them in map information. Another objective is to provide a route search device that provides route guidance based on map information created by the map information creation device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, a map information creation device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: an acquisition unit that acquires vehicle driving information indicating the location where a vehicle has traveled; a first identification unit that identifies a predetermined area where the traffic volume is above a certain level based on a plurality of vehicle driving information; a second identification unit that identifies areas with low traffic volume within the predetermined area where the traffic volume is below a predetermined threshold based on a plurality of vehicle driving information; and a registration unit that registers roads that overlap with the areas with low traffic volume identified by the second identification unit as roads with entry restrictions that prohibit entry for specific vehicles in the map data.

[0007] To solve the above problems, a map information creation method according to one aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition step in which a computer acquires vehicle driving information indicating at least the location where a vehicle has traveled; a first identification step in which a computer identifies a predetermined area where the traffic volume is above a certain level based on a plurality of vehicle driving information; a second identification step in which a computer identifies a low-traffic area within the predetermined area where the traffic volume is below a predetermined threshold based on a plurality of vehicle driving information; and a registration step in which a computer registers roads that overlap with the low-traffic area identified in the second identification step as roads with entry restrictions that prohibit entry for specific vehicles in the map data.

[0008] To solve the above problems, a map information creation program according to one aspect of the present invention provides a computer with an acquisition function that acquires vehicle driving information indicating at least the location where a vehicle has traveled; a first identification function that identifies a predetermined area where the traffic volume is above a certain level based on a plurality of vehicle driving information; a second identification function that identifies areas with low traffic volume within the predetermined area where the traffic volume is below a predetermined threshold based on a plurality of vehicle driving information; and a registration function that registers roads that overlap with the areas with low traffic volume identified by the second identification function as roads with entry restrictions that prohibit entry for specific vehicles in the map data.

[0009] Furthermore, the map information creation device may include a determination unit that determines, based on vehicle driving information, whether or not the driver of the vehicle corresponding to the vehicle driving information is a resident of a low-traffic area, and the registration unit may register the road as a road with entry restrictions in the map data if, among the vehicle driving information of vehicles that have passed through a road that overlaps with a low-traffic area identified by the second identification unit, the proportion of drivers of the vehicles corresponding to the vehicle driving information who are residents of a low-traffic area accounts for a predetermined proportion.

[0010] Furthermore, in the map information creation device described above, the determination unit may determine that the driver of the vehicle corresponding to the vehicle driving information is a resident of a low-traffic area if the vehicle driving information starts or ends within a low-traffic area.

[0011] Furthermore, in the map information creation device described above, the vehicle driving information may include base information relating to the base of the vehicle to which the vehicle driving information corresponds, and the determination unit may determine that the driver of the corresponding vehicle is a resident if the base is located in an area with low traffic volume, based on the base information included in the vehicle driving information.

[0012] Furthermore, in the map information creation device described above, the second identification unit may identify areas with low traffic volume based on multiple vehicle driving information, excluding the vehicle driving information of a specific vehicle from the vehicle driving information of vehicles that have traveled within a predetermined area.

[0013] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned map information creation device, the registration unit may choose not to register roads leading from the general parking lot to the outside of the low-traffic area as roads with entry restrictions if a general parking lot is included within the low-traffic area.

[0014] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned map information creation device, the registration unit may register the road on which a vehicle was traveling as a road with entry restrictions if the vehicle entered an area with low traffic volume, made a U-turn, and exited the area with low traffic volume.

[0015] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned map information creation device, the registration unit may register a road in a low-traffic area as a road with entry restrictions if a vehicle traveling outside a low-traffic area operates its turn signal to indicate that it is entering a low-traffic area, but does not travel in the direction indicated by the turn signal.

[0016] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned map information creation device, the registration unit may register roads within low-traffic areas as roads with entry restrictions, even if congestion occurs within a predetermined range of low-traffic areas, as long as the number of vehicles entering the low-traffic areas is below a predetermined threshold.

[0017] Further, the above map information creation device may include a display control unit that displays on the screen a road registered by the registration unit as a road subject to access prohibition regulation.

[0018] Moreover, a route search device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a storage unit that stores map data in which information on roads subject to access prohibition regulation is registered by a map information creation device, a setting unit that accepts setting of a user's base point that uses the route search device, a reception unit that accepts input of a departure point and a destination, and a route search unit that searches for a route from the departure point to the destination using the map data. When the location set as the base point indicates within a low traffic volume area, the route search unit executes route search as an exemption from the access prohibition regulation in the low traffic volume area. When the location set as the base point indicates outside the low traffic volume area, the route search unit executes route search as a target of the access prohibition regulation in the low traffic volume area.

Advantages of the Invention

[0019] A map information creation device according to an aspect of the present invention can identify a road subject to access prohibition regulation where entry of a specific vehicle is prohibited by identifying a low traffic volume area where the traffic volume is below a predetermined threshold within a predetermined area where the traffic volume is a certain level or more, and register it in the map data. As a result, by using this map data, for example, it is possible to suppress the possibility that a vehicle that does not correspond to a specific vehicle may be stuck or detoured and take a long way around by route guidance using the road subject to the access prohibition regulation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a map information creation device. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing an example of a low traffic volume area. [Figure 3] It is a flowchart showing an operation example of a map information creation device. [Figure 4] It is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a route search device. [Figure 5] It is a flowchart showing an operation example of a route search device. [Figure 6] (a) A block diagram showing another configuration example of the map information creation device. (b) A block diagram showing another configuration example of the route search device.

Embodiment for Carrying out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, the map information creation device and the route search device according to an aspect of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0022] <Embodiment> <Configuration of Map Information Creation Device> The map information creation device (refer to 100 in FIG. 1) according to an aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition unit (refer to 105 in FIG. 1) that acquires at least vehicle travel information indicating the position where the vehicle has traveled, a first specifying unit (refer to 105 in FIG. 1) that specifies a predetermined area where the traffic volume is a certain level or more based on a plurality of vehicle travel information, a second specifying unit (refer to 105 in FIG. 1) that specifies a traffic volume scarce area where the traffic volume is below a predetermined threshold within a predetermined area based on a plurality of vehicle travel information, and a registration unit (refer to 105 in FIG. 1) that registers a road overlapping with the traffic volume scarce area specified by the second specifying unit as a road with an entry prohibition regulation that prohibits entry of a specific vehicle in the map data. Hereinafter, it will be described in detail.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the map information creation device 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the map information creation device 100 includes a communication unit 101, an input unit 102, an output unit 103, a storage unit 104, and a CPU 105.

[0024] The map information creation device 100 is a computer system implemented by a server device, a PC, etc., but is not limited to these, and may also be implemented by a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet terminal. The map information creation device 100 may, for example, create map information used for route guidance, and is a device that has the function of adding attribute information (may be called metadata) of entry restrictions as new information to existing map information on identified roads. The map information creation device 100 identifies roads with little vehicle traffic in a predetermined area where multiple vehicles travel, and registers them in the map information as roads with entry restrictions that prohibit travel by vehicles other than specific vehicles.

[0025] The communication unit 101 has the function of sending and receiving information with other devices via wired or wireless communication. The communication unit 101 may, for example, receive vehicle driving information from an external device or a moving vehicle and transmit it to the CPU 105. The external device may, but is not limited to, a server device that collects vehicle driving information.

[0026] Here, vehicle driving information includes at least information indicating when (date and time information) and where (location information) the vehicle traveled, and may be implemented by probe information or CAN (Control Area Network) information, but is not limited to these. Vehicle driving information may also include identification information that can identify the vehicle, vehicle speed, vehicle direction of movement, steering information, and turn signal operation information.

[0027] The input unit 102 has the function of receiving input from the user of the map information creation device 100 and transmitting it to the CPU 105. The input unit 102 can be implemented, for example, by hardware keys provided on the map information creation device 100, or by soft keys such as a touch panel or touch keys. The input to the input unit 102 may also be voice input, in which case the input unit 102 is implemented by a microphone. For example, the input unit 102 may receive input confirming the registration of entry restriction information in map information associated with roads and transmit it to the CPU 105.

[0028] The output unit 103 has the function of outputting the instructed data according to the instructions from the CPU 105. For example, the output unit 103 outputs information about roads that have been identified as roads to which road regulation information should be associated. The information output by the output unit 103 may be output as text or images to a monitor (display device) attached to or connected to the map information creation device 100, or as audio output from a speaker attached to or connected to the map information creation device 100, or as information output via communication to an external device via the communication unit 110.

[0029] The storage unit 104 is a recording medium that stores various programs and data necessary for the operation of the map information creation device 100. The storage unit 104 can be implemented using, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or flash memory.

[0030] The memory unit 104 stores map information 141. The memory unit 104 may also store vehicle driving information for multiple vehicles. The memory unit 104 may also store a program for identifying roads where entry is prohibited for vehicles other than specific ones, based on the driving information for multiple vehicles, and registering this information in the map information 141.

[0031] The CPU 105 is a processor that uses various programs and data stored in the memory unit 104 to execute the processes that the map information creation device 100 should perform.

[0032] The CPU 105 executes a program stored in the memory unit 104 to identify roads where entry is prohibited for vehicles other than specific vehicles, based on vehicle driving information, and registers this information in the map information 141. The CPU 105 functions as an acquisition unit, a first identification unit, a second identification unit, and a registration unit. The CPU 105 may also function as a determination unit.

[0033] The acquisition unit acquires vehicle travel information, which indicates at least the location the vehicle has traveled. The acquisition unit may acquire vehicle travel information from an external device via the communication unit 110, from the vehicle via the communication unit 110, or from information stored in the storage unit 104. The acquisition unit acquires multiple pieces of vehicle travel information.

[0034] The first identification unit identifies a predetermined area with a traffic volume above a certain level based on multiple vehicle driving information acquired by the acquisition unit. For example, the first identification unit sets an arbitrary range on the map information and counts the number of vehicle driving information entries for a predetermined period of time (for example, one month; however, it is not limited to one month, but could be one week or six months) within that range. If the counted number exceeds a predetermined threshold, the set arbitrary range is designated as the predetermined area. If the counted number does not exceed the predetermined threshold, the first identification unit may set the predetermined area in a different location.

[0035] The second identification unit identifies areas with low traffic volume within the designated area identified by the first identification unit, where the traffic volume is below a predetermined threshold.

[0036] Here, we will explain areas with low traffic volume with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 shows an example of a predetermined area 200 identified by the first identification unit, and shows an example of vehicle traffic information plotted on the predetermined area 200. In Figure 2, the location and direction of travel of vehicle traffic information are indicated by arrows. In the example in Figure 2, the number of vehicle traffic information entries on roads 211, 212, 221, 222, and 223 is small compared to the number of vehicle traffic information entries on other roads. Roads 212 and 221, for example, connect to roads with a lot of traffic, yet the number of vehicles traveling on them is small. This suggests that while some vehicles can pass, many cannot. Therefore, it can be assumed that there is a reason why some vehicles cannot pass on such roads 212 and 221. The second identification unit identifies areas with a small number of vehicle traffic information entries despite the presence of such roads as areas with low traffic volume.

[0037] Therefore, in the example shown in Figure 2, the second identification section identifies the area included by the dotted lines 210 and 220 as a low-traffic area.

[0038] Furthermore, the vehicle driving information may include attribute information indicating what kind of vehicle the corresponding vehicle is. In this case, the second identification unit may exclude the vehicle driving information of specific vehicles such as taxis, delivery vehicles, and construction vehicles, and use the remaining vehicle driving information to identify the second identification unit. The second identification unit can identify and exclude the vehicle driving information of specific vehicles such as the aforementioned taxis and delivery vehicles by referring to the vehicle identification information included in the vehicle driving information. One of the objectives of the map information creation device 100 according to the present invention is to identify roads where there may be restrictions prohibiting vehicle entry without having to go to the site. However, in the case of the aforementioned specific vehicles, they are often exempt from these restrictions (for example, when the passenger is a resident in an area with little traffic, or when the delivery destination of the package is an address in an area with little traffic), so such vehicle driving information is likely to be noise and may be excluded.

[0039] Returning to Figure 1, the determination unit determines whether the low-traffic area identified by the second identification unit is appropriate as a low-traffic area, by determining whether it meets predetermined conditions. That is, the determination unit determines whether it is permissible to set entry restrictions on roads included in the low-traffic area identified by the second identification unit. By performing this determination, it is possible to determine whether the application of entry restrictions to the roads is appropriate and to register highly accurate information in the map information 141. Note that the determination by the determination unit is not mandatory.

[0040] The determination unit may, as a predetermined condition, determine whether a vehicle traveling within a low-traffic area identified by the second identification unit is based within that low-traffic area (for example, has a home there), and if the proportion of such vehicles exceeds a predetermined proportion, it may determine that the area is likely to be a low-traffic area with roads subject to entry restrictions. The vehicle travel information may include identification information that allows for the identification of the vehicle, and for vehicle travel information with the same identification information traveling within a low-traffic area, if the number of location information for its stopping points and departure points is similar in the same locations and exceeds a predetermined number, it can be estimated that there is a high probability that that location is the vehicle's base. The determination unit then estimates that the vehicle's user's base is located within a low-traffic area (the user is a resident) if the estimated location of the base is within a low-traffic area. The determination unit may determine that a predetermined condition is met if such vehicle driving information accounts for a predetermined percentage (for example, 60%, but not limited to this, it may be 70% or 50%) of the vehicle driving information within low-traffic areas. In this case, the determination unit determines that the user's base is located within a low-traffic area (the user is a resident of a low-traffic area) if the vehicle's stopping position or departure position is located within a low-traffic area and the number of such locations is greater than or equal to a predetermined number (greater than or equal to a predetermined percentage). However, the vehicle driving information may include the user's base information (user's address or base location information), and the determination may be made based on this information.

[0041] The registration unit registers roads that overlap with the low-traffic areas identified by the second identification unit as roads with entry restrictions that prohibit entry for specific vehicles in the map information 141. In the example in Figure 2, the registration unit registers roads 211 and 212 included in the low-traffic area 210, and roads 221, 222, and 223 included in the low-traffic area 220, as roads that have entry restrictions set for vehicles other than specific vehicles.

[0042] In this case, if there are public parking lots, such as hourly parking lots or dedicated parking lots for specific stores, within the low-traffic area identified by the Second Identification Department, the Registration Department may decide not to associate information indicating entry restrictions with the roads leading from outside the low-traffic area to those public parking lots, since all vehicles should be able to pass through those roads.

[0043] Furthermore, if the registration section finds that a vehicle entered a low-traffic area identified by the second identification section and then made a U-turn to exit the area, it may register that road as having an entry restriction prohibiting entry for specific vehicles.

[0044] Furthermore, the registration unit may register a vehicle if it has vehicle driving information indicating that the turn signal was operated to indicate that the vehicle was entering a low-traffic area identified by the second identification unit, and the vehicle in question did not travel in the direction indicated by the turn signal, as indicating that there is an entry ban on the road the vehicle was attempting to enter.

[0045] Furthermore, even if congestion occurs within a predetermined distance (for example, within 1 km, but not limited to this) from the low-traffic area identified by the second identification section, the registration section may register the road in the low-traffic area as having an entry restriction if the number of vehicles entering the low-traffic area is below a predetermined threshold. The fact that vehicles are not entering the low-traffic area, which could be used as a detour despite congestion, suggests that there is some kind of entry restriction.

[0046] Furthermore, the registration unit may perform image analysis on images taken from vehicles traveling around areas with low traffic volume identified by the second identification unit, and if it can identify supplementary signs such as "excluding residential vehicles," it may register the road as having an entry ban.

[0047] The above is an example of the configuration of the map information creation device 100.

[0048] <Operation of the map information creation device> An example of the operation of the map information creation device 100 will be explained using Figure 3. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of operation when registering road entry restrictions in map information 141.

[0049] As shown in Figure 3, the CPU 105 of the map information creation device 100 acquires vehicle driving information (step S301).

[0050] The CPU 105 identifies a predetermined area with a traffic volume above a certain level based on the acquired vehicle driving information (step S302). The CPU 105 identifies an arbitrary region, acquires vehicle driving information indicating that vehicles have traveled through that region, and if the number of vehicles exceeds a predetermined threshold, it identifies that arbitrary region as the predetermined area. If the number does not exceed the predetermined threshold, another location may be set as the arbitrary region and designated as the predetermined area.

[0051] The CPU 105 identifies areas with low traffic volume within a predetermined area where the traffic volume is below a predetermined threshold (step S303). The CPU 105 maps each vehicle's driving information onto the roads within the predetermined area. As a result of the mapping, it identifies locations where the traffic volume is below a predetermined threshold, i.e., locations where the number of vehicle driving information maps is relatively small. A relatively small number of vehicle driving information maps may mean, for example, that the predetermined area is divided into multiple sub-regions and the number of vehicle driving information included in those sub-regions is below a predetermined threshold. Alternatively, a relatively small number of vehicle driving information maps may mean that the number of vehicle driving information maps in a certain sub-region is small (by a certain number or more, or below a predetermined percentage) compared to other sub-regions that contain a large amount of vehicle driving information.

[0052] The CPU 105 determines whether the identified low-traffic area or the road within the low-traffic area meets predetermined conditions (step S304). The predetermined conditions are those related to the determination made by the determination unit or registration unit, as described above. If the low-traffic area or the road within the low-traffic area does not meet the predetermined conditions (step S305), the process terminates.

[0053] If the CPU determines that a low-traffic area meets the specified conditions (YES in step S304), the CPU 105 registers the roads overlapping with the low-traffic area in map information 141 as roads with entry restrictions prohibiting entry for specific vehicles (step S305), and terminates the process. Note that the process in step S304 may be omitted. That is, if the CPU 105 identifies a low-traffic area in step S303, it may simply register the roads overlapping with that low-traffic area in map information 141 as roads with entry restrictions.

[0054] The map information creation device 100 may, at any appropriate time (either at predetermined intervals or based on instructions from the user), identify a predetermined area, identify areas with low traffic volume within that predetermined area, and register information indicating entry restrictions to the corresponding roads.

[0055] <Summary of Map Information Creation Devices> As described above, the map information creation device 100 uses vehicle driving information to identify areas with low traffic volume, where roads exist but traffic volume is low compared to other roads. Within a predetermined area with a certain level of traffic, if the traffic volume is low within that area, it is assumed that there is some reason for the low traffic volume, and one possibility is that there is an entry restriction. The map information creation device 100 can then associate information indicating the existence of an entry restriction with roads included in the low traffic volume area and register it in the map information 141. In particular, if only vehicles belonging to users based in the low traffic volume area are traveling on that road, it can be identified that there is an entry restriction for vehicles other than specific vehicles such as resident vehicles. As a result, when performing a route search by referring to the map information 141 created by the map information creation device 100, it is possible to prevent situations where the user cannot reach their destination or has to take a detour because the route search includes roads with entry restrictions.

[0056] <Example of a route search device configuration> A route search device according to one aspect of the present invention (see 400 in Figure 4) comprises: a storage unit (see 104 in Figure 4) that stores map data (see 141 in Figure 1) on which information of roads with entry restrictions is registered by the aforementioned map information creation device; a setting unit (see 405 in Figure 4) that accepts the setting of a base of operations for a user using the route search device; a reception unit that accepts input of a departure point and a destination; and a route search unit (see 405 in Figure 4) that searches for a route from the departure point to the destination using the map data, wherein if the location set as the base of operations is within a low-traffic area, the route search is performed as if the route is outside the low-traffic area and is subject to the entry restrictions in the low-traffic area. A detailed explanation follows below.

[0057] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the route search device 400. As shown in Figure 4, the route search device 400 includes a communication unit 401, an input unit 402, an output unit 403, a storage unit 404, a CPU 405, and a location information acquisition unit 406.

[0058] The route search device 400 is a computer system commonly referred to as a navigation device, but it may be implemented using a mobile device such as a PC, smartphone, or tablet, and may be executed as an application program on such information processing equipment. The route search device 400 may be a navigation device that is attached to a moving object such as a vehicle. As an example, the route search device 400 searches for a route to a destination entered by the user and presents it to the user. At this time, the route search device 400 determines whether roads that are assumed to be subject to entry restrictions within a low-traffic area are usable, depending on whether the user's base is located within a low-traffic area, and performs a route search.

[0059] The communication unit 401 has the function of sending and receiving information with other devices via wired or wireless communication. For example, the communication unit 401 receives map information 141 from the map information creation device 100 via the network, in which the map information creation device 100 has registered roads with no-entry restrictions, and transmits this information to the CPU 405.

[0060] The input unit 402 has the function of receiving input from the user of the route search device 400 and transmitting it to the CPU 405. The input unit 402 can be implemented, for example, by hardware keys provided on the route search device 400, or by soft keys such as a touch panel or touch keys. The input to the input unit 402 may also be voice input, in which case the input unit 402 is implemented by a microphone. The input unit 402 receives input of the destination and transmits it to the CPU 405. The input unit 402 may also receive input of the departure point and transmit it to the CPU 405. Furthermore, the input unit 402 may receive input of location information indicating the user's base and transmit it to the CPU 405.

[0061] The output unit 403 has the function of outputting the instructed data according to the instructions from the CPU 405. For example, the output unit 403 outputs information indicating the route searched by the CPU 405. The information output by the output unit 403 may be output as text or images to a monitor (display device) attached to or connected to the route search device 400, or as sound output from a speaker attached to or connected to the route search device 400, or as information output via communication to an external device via the communication unit 110.

[0062] The storage unit 404 is a recording medium that stores various programs and data necessary for the operation of the pathfinding device 400. The storage unit 404 can be implemented using, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or flash memory.

[0063] The storage unit 404 stores map information 141. This map information 141 is information registered by the aforementioned map information creation device 100 for roads identified by the map information creation device 100, which prohibits entry by vehicles other than specific vehicles. The storage unit 404 may also store a program for executing a process to search for a route to a destination specified by the user by referring to the map information 141.

[0064] The location information acquisition unit 406 acquires the current location information of the route search device 400. The location information acquisition unit 406 acquires the current location information of the route search device 400 by utilizing GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), GPS (Global Positioning System), etc. The location information acquisition unit 406 transmits the acquired current location information to the CPU 405.

[0065] The CPU 405 is a processor that uses various programs and data stored in the memory unit 404 to execute the processes that the pathfinding device 400 should perform.

[0066] The CPU 405 executes a program stored in the memory unit 404 to identify roads where entry is prohibited for vehicles other than specific ones, based on vehicle driving information, and registers this information in the map information 141. The CPU 405 functions as a setting unit, a reception unit, and a route search unit.

[0067] The setting unit sets and registers the information about the user's location transmitted from the input unit 402 as the user's location in the storage unit 404. Multiple user locations may be set. The setting unit may also estimate the user's location based on the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 406 of the vehicle equipped with the route search device 400, for example, a location where the vehicle has stopped or parked a predetermined number of times or a location where the vehicle has been parked for a predetermined time or longer, and set and register the estimated location as the user's location in the storage unit 404.

[0068] The reception unit receives the user's destination transmitted from the input unit 402. The reception unit also receives the departure point transmitted from the input unit 402. If the departure point is not received when the user's destination is received, the location acquired by the location information acquisition unit 406 at that time is accepted as the departure point. The reception unit transmits the information of the accepted departure point and destination to the route search unit.

[0069] When the route search unit receives the departure point and destination, it searches for a route from the departure point to the destination. At this time, if there is a base set by the setting unit, it determines whether that base is included in one of the low-traffic areas. If the user's base is included in one of the low-traffic areas, it searches for a route from the departure point to the destination, assuming that the roads within that low-traffic area are passable. For low-traffic areas that do not include the user's base, if information about road entry restrictions is set and registered for a road, the route search unit excludes that road from the roads used for route searching as it is an impassable road. The route search unit may use, for example, the A-ster algorithm or Dijkstra's algorithm to search for a route from the departure point to the destination, but the route search algorithm is not limited to these. The route search unit outputs the searched route to the output unit 403.

[0070] The above is an example of the configuration of the route search device 400.

[0071] <Operation> Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the route search device 400. The route search process by the route search device 400 will be explained using Figure 5.

[0072] As shown in Figure 5, the CPU 405 of the route search device 400 receives location information transmitted from the input unit 402. Alternatively, it estimates and accepts a specific location as the user's location. Then, it sets the received location information as the user's location in the storage unit 404 (step S501).

[0073] The CPU 405 receives the departure point and destination from the input unit 402 (step S502). If the departure point is not received, the current location is obtained as the departure point.

[0074] Upon receiving the departure and destination locations, the CPU 405 reads the location information set in the memory unit 404. It then determines whether the location of the read location is within a specific low-traffic area (step S503). If the user's location is within a specific low-traffic area (YES in step S503), the process proceeds to step S504; otherwise, it proceeds to step S505. Note that if the user's location information is not set in the memory unit 404, the process also proceeds to step S505.

[0075] If the user's base is located within a specific low-traffic area (YES in step S503), the CPU 405 will include roads with entry restrictions within that specific low-traffic area as potential roads for route searching and will perform a route search from the accepted origin to the destination (step S504). Roads with entry restrictions that are located within low-traffic areas that do not include the user's base will be excluded from the roads used for route searching.

[0076] If the user's base is not located within a specific low-traffic area, or if no base is set (NO in step S503), the CPU 405 searches for a route from the accepted departure point to the destination, excluding roads where entry restrictions are in place (step S505).

[0077] Then, the CPU 405 outputs the information indicating the path obtained through the search to the output unit 403 (step S506), and terminates the process.

[0078] In this way, the route search device 400 can perform route searching by selecting the available roads according to the location of the base. <Summary of pathfinding devices>

[0079] Thus, the route search device 400 can perform route searches for a route to travel to a destination specified by the user, and if the user's base is located in an area with low traffic volume, it can perform route searches for roads located in that area with low traffic volume (roads where entry restrictions are in place) as passable roads. In other words, the route search device 400 can perform route searches more flexibly than conventional navigation devices and provide the searched route to the user.

[0080] <Supplement> It goes without saying that the map information creation device and route search device according to the above embodiment are not limited to the above embodiment and may be implemented by other methods. Various modifications will be described below.

[0081] (1) In the above embodiment, the map information creation device 100 may have the route search function of the route search device 400. Conversely, the route search device 400 may have the function of the map information creation device to identify roads with entry restrictions that prohibit entry for specific vehicles and register them in the map information.

[0082] (2) In the above embodiment, the method for identifying roads with entry restrictions set in the map information creation device and the method for performing route searching according to the location of the user's base in the route search device are determined by the processors of the map information creation device and the route search device executing predetermined programs, etc. However, this may be realized in the device by logic circuits (hardware) or dedicated circuits formed on integrated circuits (IC (Integrated Circuit) chips, LSI (Large Scale Integration)), etc. Furthermore, these circuits may be realized by one or more integrated circuits, and the functions of the multiple functional units shown in the above embodiment may be realized by a single integrated circuit. Depending on the degree of integration, LSIs may also be called VLSI, super LSI, ultra LSI, etc. That is, as shown in Figure 6(a), the map information creation device 100 may consist of a communication circuit 101a, an input circuit 102a, an output circuit 103a, a storage circuit 104a, and a control circuit 105a, which correspond to the communication unit 101, the input unit 102, the output unit 103, the storage unit 104, and the CPU 105, respectively. Similarly, as shown in Figure 6(b), the route search device 400 may consist of a communication circuit 401a, an input circuit 402a, an output circuit 403a, a storage circuit 404a, a control circuit 405a, and a location information acquisition circuit 406a, which correspond to the communication unit 401, the input unit 402, the output unit 403, the storage unit 404, the CPU 405, and the location information acquisition unit 406, respectively.

[0083] Furthermore, the above program may be recorded on a recording medium readable by the processor, and the recording medium can be a "non-temporary tangible medium," such as tape, disk, card, semiconductor memory, or programmable logic circuit. The above program may also be supplied to the processor via any transmission medium capable of transmitting the program (such as a communication network or broadcast wave). In other words, for example, the program may be downloaded and executed from a network using an information processing device such as a smartphone. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the above program is embodied by electronic transmission.

[0084] The above program can be implemented using scripting languages ​​such as ActionScript and JavaScript®, or object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Objective-C, Java®, C++, Python, and R, but these languages ​​are just examples.

[0085] (3) The various embodiments shown in the above embodiment and the various examples shown in the <Supplement> may be combined as appropriate. Also, the execution order of the operations shown in the flowchart may be changed or executed in parallel, as long as there is no inconsistency in the result. For example, the execution timing of the process in step S501 and the process in step S502 shown in Figure 5 may be different, and for example, the processes from S502 onwards may be executed one month after the process in step S501. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 100 Map information creation device 101 Communications Department 102 Input section 103 Output section 104 Storage section 105 CPU (Acquisition unit, 1st identification unit, 2nd identification unit, registration unit, determination unit) 400 Route Search Device 401 Communications Department 402 Input section 403 Output section 404 Storage section 405 CPU (Setting unit, reception unit, route search unit) 406 Location information acquisition unit

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires vehicle travel information indicating at least the location the vehicle has traveled, A first identification unit identifies a predetermined area where the traffic volume is above a certain level based on multiple vehicle driving data, A second identification unit identifies areas with low traffic volume within a predetermined area based on the aforementioned multiple vehicle driving information, where the traffic volume is below a predetermined threshold. A registration unit registers roads that overlap with the low-traffic areas identified by the second identification unit as roads with entry restrictions that prohibit entry for specific vehicles in the map data, A map information creation device equipped with the following features.

2. The system includes a determination unit that determines, based on the aforementioned vehicle driving information, whether or not the driver of the vehicle corresponding to the vehicle driving information is a resident of the area with low traffic volume. The registration unit registers a road as a road with entry restrictions in the map data when, among the vehicle driving information of vehicles that have passed through a road that overlaps with a low-traffic area identified by the second identification unit, the proportion of drivers of the vehicles corresponding to the vehicle driving information who are residents of the low-traffic area accounts for a predetermined proportion. The map information creation device according to feature 1.

3. The determination unit determines that the driver of the vehicle corresponding to the vehicle driving information is a resident of the low-traffic area if the vehicle driving information starts within the low-traffic area or ends within the low-traffic area. The map information creation device according to feature 2.

4. The aforementioned vehicle driving information includes base information relating to the base of the vehicle to which the vehicle driving information corresponds, The determination unit determines, based on the location information included in the vehicle driving information, that the driver of the corresponding vehicle is a resident if the location is within the low-traffic area. The map information creation device according to feature 2.

5. The second identification unit identifies the low-traffic area based on a plurality of vehicle driving information, which excludes the vehicle driving information of specific vehicles that are not subject to the entry prohibition regulations, from the vehicle driving information of vehicles that have traveled within the predetermined area. The map information creation device according to feature 1.

6. The registration unit will not register roads that extend from the general parking lot to the area outside the low-traffic area as roads with entry restrictions if the low-traffic area includes a general parking lot. The map information creation device according to feature 1.

7. The registration unit registers the road on which a vehicle that entered the low-traffic area made a U-turn and exited the low-traffic area as a road with entry restrictions. The map information creation device according to feature 1.

8. The registration unit registers the road in the low-traffic area as a road with entry restrictions if a vehicle traveling outside the low-traffic area operates its turn signal to indicate that it is entering the low-traffic area, but does not travel in the direction indicated by the turn signal. The map information creation device according to feature 1.

9. The registration unit registers a road within a low-traffic area as a road with entry restrictions, even if congestion occurs within a predetermined range of the low-traffic area, if the number of vehicles entering the low-traffic area is below a predetermined threshold. The map information creation device according to feature 1.

10. The map information creation device according to claim 1, further comprising a display control unit that displays on a screen roads registered by the registration unit as roads with entry restrictions.

11. A storage unit that stores map data in which information of roads with entry restrictions is registered by a map information creation device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, A setting unit that accepts the location settings of users using the route search device, A reception desk that accepts input of departure and destination, A route search unit that searches for a route from the departure point to the destination using the map data, wherein if the location set as a base point is within the low-traffic area, the route search is performed as if it is outside the low-traffic area and is subject to the entry prohibition regulations in the low-traffic area, and if the location set as a base point is outside the low-traffic area, the route search is performed as if it is subject to the entry prohibition regulations in the low-traffic area, A pathfinding device equipped with the following features.

12. Computers The process includes an acquisition step of obtaining vehicle travel information that shows at least the location the vehicle has traveled, A first identification step involves identifying a predetermined area where the traffic volume is above a certain level based on information from multiple vehicles, A second identification step involves identifying areas with low traffic volume within a predetermined area based on the aforementioned multiple vehicle driving information, where the traffic volume is below a predetermined threshold. A registration step involves registering roads that overlap with the low-traffic areas identified in the second identification step as roads with entry restrictions that prohibit entry for specific vehicles in the map data, A method for creating map information to execute this.

13. On the computer, At a minimum, it has an acquisition function that acquires vehicle driving information indicating the location the vehicle has traveled, A first identification function identifies a predetermined area where the traffic volume is above a certain level based on information from multiple vehicles, A second identification function that identifies areas with low traffic volume within a predetermined area based on the aforementioned multiple vehicle driving information, where the traffic volume is below a predetermined threshold, The second specified function registers roads that overlap with the low-traffic areas identified by the aforementioned second specified function as roads with entry restrictions that prohibit entry for specific vehicles in the map data, A map information creation program that makes this possible.

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