Traffic Condition Report Device, System Thereof, Method Thereof, Program For Executing The Method, And Recording Medium Containing The Program

• US 20080021632A1
• Filed: 06/27/2005
• Published: 01/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Increment P Corporation, Pioneer Corporation
• Original Assignee: Increment P Corporation, Pioneer Corporation
• Inventors: Amano, Kouji
• Application Number:
  US11/630,412
• Publication Number:
  US 20080021632A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/117
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/28 with correlation of data from several navigational instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096811 where the route is computed offboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096827 where the route is computed onboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096838 where the user preferences are taken into account or the user selects one route out of a plurality
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096844 where the complete route is dynamically recomputed based on new data
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096888 where input information is obtained using learning systems, e.g. history databases
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/006 Representation of non-cartographic information on maps, e.g. population distribution, wind direction, radiation levels, air and sea routes
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/10 Map spot or coordinate position indicators; Map reading aids optical projection apparatus per se G03B

Abstract

The navigation device 100 includes: a storage section 160 for acquiring map information; a route processor for searching for a travel route of a vehicle to acquire an arrival position of the vehicle at a predetermined time; a traffic-jam condition recognizer for recognizing current traffic-jam information and predicted traffic-jam information to recognize a traffic-jam zone; a traffic-jam avoiding section for acquiring, when recognizing that the vehicle arrives at the traffic-jam zone at a predetermined time, rest area information; and a display controller for controlling a terminal display section 140 to display the rest area information. With the arrangement, when it is predicted that the vehicle will be involved in a traffic jam, a user can avoid the traffic jam and take a rest at the rest area.

Claims

1. :

A traffic-condition notifying device, comprising;

a map information acquirer for acquiring map information;

a current position recognizer for acquiring current position information about a current position of a mobile body;

a destination recognizer for recognizing destination information about a destination;

a route searcher for searching for a travel route of the mobile body from the current position to the destination;

a traffic-information recognizer for recognizing traffic information about a traffic condition;

a statistical-traffic-information acquirer for acquiring statistical traffic information that is obtained by statistically processing traffic conditions in the past based on time factors;

a traffic-jam-condition change recognizer for recognizing a change over time in the traffic condition of travel route of the mobile body based on the statistical traffic information;

an arrival position recognizer for recognizing a predicted arrival position of the mobile body at a predetermined time;

a predicted traffic-jam position recognizer for recognizing a predicted traffic-jam position at a predetermined time that is estimated based on the change over time in the traffic condition;

a stop-off information acquirer for acquiring, when determining that the mobile body arrives at the predicted traffic-jam position based on the predicted arrival position of the mobile body and the predicted traffic-jam position, stop-off information regarding a stop-off point located in a predetermined distance area from the travel route; and

a notification controller for controlling a notifier to notify the stop-off information.

2. :

The traffic-condition notifying device according to claim 1, wherein the stop-off information acquirer acquires the stop-off information based on the map information.

3. :

The traffic-condition notifying device according to claim 1, wherein the route searcher searches for a travel route to the stop-off point with the stop-off information being a destination and operates the notification controller to perform notification control.

4. :

The traffic-condition notifying device according to claim 1 further comprising;

a traffic-jam-passing-time recognizer for recognizing traffic-jam passing time information about a time required for passing through the predicted traffic-jam position, wherein

the stop-off information acquirer acquires the stop-off information based on the traffic-jam-passing-time information.

5. :

The traffic-condition notifying device according to claim 4, wherein the stop-off information acquirer acquires the stop-off information such that, by comparing a total time including a travel time to the stop-off point and a stop-off time to stay at the stop-off point with a traffic-jam passing time required for passing through the predicted traffic-jam position, the total time including the travel time to the stop-off point and the stop-off time to stay at the stop-off point becomes shorter.

6. :

The traffic-condition notifying device according to claim 1 wherein the stop-off information acquirer acquires the stop-off information such that, by comparing a time required to arrive at the destination with the total time including the travel time to the stop-off point and the stop-off time to stay at the stop-off point, the total time including the travel time to the stop-off point and the stop-off time to stay at the stop-off point becomes shorter.

7. :

The traffic-condition notifying device according to claim 1, wherein the stop-off information acquirer acquires the stop-off information such that, by comparing a traffic-jam-clearance required time estimated to be required until a traffic jam of the predicted traffic-jam position is cleared up with the total time including the travel time to the stop-off point and the stop-off time to stay at the stop-off point, the total time including the travel time to the stop-off point and the stop-off time to stay at the stop-off point becomes shorter.

8. :

The traffic-condition notifying device according to claim 1, wherein the stop-off information acquirer acquires the stop-off information when, by comparing a time required to arrive at the destination after passing through the predicted traffic-jam position with a time required to arrive at the destination after stopping off the stop-off point, the time to get to the destination after stopping off the stop-off point is shorter.

9. :

The traffic-condition notifying device according to claim 1, wherein the stop-off information acquirer recognizes priority information about a priority of the stop-off point, and acquires stop-off information based on the priority information.

10. :

The traffic-condition notifying device according to claim 9, wherein the stop-off information acquirer acquires stop-off-point-type information about a type of the stop-off point, and sets a priority for each of the stop-off-point-type information.

11. :

The traffic-condition notifying device according to claim 9, wherein the stop-off information acquirer acquires utilization status information about a utilization status of the stop-off point, and sets the priority information based on the utilization status information.

12. :

The traffic-condition notifying device according to claim 11, wherein

the utilization status information is congestion level information about congestion status of the stop-off point.

13. :

The traffic-condition notifying device according to claim 1, further comprising;

a timer for clocking time;

an estimated time information acquirer for acquiring estimated traffic-jam-clearance required time information about an estimated time required for a traffic-jam of the predicted traffic-jam position to be cleared up;

an estimated-required-time computing section for computing an estimated required time including a travel time from the travel route that is set based on the destination information to the stop-off point and a time required to arrive at the travel route from the stop-off point;

an estimated-departure-time computing section for computing an estimated departure time for the mobile body to depart from the stop-off point based on the estimated traffic-jam-clearance required time information and the estimated required time;

a notification information generator for generating departure notification information for prompting departure of the mobile body based on the estimated departure time and a current time clocked by the timer;

a departure-standby status recognizer for recognizing a departure-standby status of the mobile body at the current position; and

a notification controller for setting a timing to notify the departure notification information by the notifier in accordance with the departure-standby status and controls the notifier to notify the departure notification information based on the set timing and the current time.

14. :

The traffic-condition notifying device according to claim 13, wherein

the traffic-condition notifying device is removably installed in the mobile body,

the departure-standby status recognizer recognizes an installation status of the traffic-condition notifying device to the mobile body, and

the notification controller controls the timing to notify the departure notification information such that a timing to notify the departure notification information by the notifier in a case where the departure-standby status recognizer recognizes non-installation of the traffic-condition notifying device in the mobile body becomes earlier than a timing to notify the departure notification information by the notifier in a case where the departure-standby status recognizer recognizes installation of the traffic-condition notifying device in the mobile body.

15. :

The traffic-condition notifying device according to claim 13, wherein

the notifier is removably installed in the mobile body,

the departure-standby status recognizer recognizes an installation status of the notifier,

the notification controller controls the timing to notify the departure notification information such that a timing to notify the departure notification information by the notifier in a case where the departure-standby status recognizer recognizes non-installation of the notifier in the mobile body becomes earlier than a timing to notify the departure notification information by the notifier in a case where the departure-standby status recognizer recognizes installation of the notifier in the mobile body.

16. :

A traffic-condition notifying system, comprising;

a server unit that stores map information in a storage section; and

a terminal unit including a traffic-condition notifying device for acquiring map information from a server unit over a network, wherein

the traffic-condition notifying device includes;

a map information acquirer for acquiring the map information;

a current position recognizer for acquiring current position information about a current position of a mobile body;

a destination recognizer for recognizing destination information about a destination;

a route searcher for searching for a travel route of the mobile body from the current position to the destination;

a traffic-information recognizer for recognizing traffic information about a traffic condition;

a statistical-traffic-information acquirer for acquiring statistical traffic information that is obtained by statistically processing traffic conditions in the past based on time factors;

a traffic-jam-condition change recognizer for recognizing a change over time in the traffic condition of travel route of the mobile body based on the statistical traffic information;

an arrival position recognizer for recognizing a predicted arrival position of the mobile body at a predetermined time;

a predicted traffic-jam position recognizer for recognizing a predicted traffic-jam position at a predetermined time that is estimated based on the change over time in the traffic condition;

a stop-off information acquirer for acquiring, when determining that the mobile body arrives at the predicted traffic-jam position based on the predicted arrival position of the mobile body and the predicted traffic-jam position, stop-off information regarding a stop-off point located in a predetermined distance area from the travel route; and

a notification controller for controlling a notifier to notify the stop-off information.

19. :

The traffic-condition notifying system according to claim 16, further comprising;

a portable device connected to the server unit via a network to enable communication therebetween, the portable device including a notifier for notifying the departure notification information that is acquired from the server unit via the network.

17. :

A traffic-condition notifying system, comprising;

a terminal unit including a traffic-condition notifying device; and

a portable device connected to the terminal unit via a network to enable communication therebetween, the portable device including a notifier for notifying the departure notification information that is acquired from the traffic-condition notifying device via the network, wherein

the traffic-condition notifying device includes;

a map information acquirer for acquiring the map information;

a current position recognizer for acquiring current position information about a current position of a mobile body;

a destination recognizer for recognizing destination information about a destination;

a route searcher for searching for a travel route of the mobile body from the current position to the destination;

a traffic-information recognizer for recognizing traffic information about a traffic condition;

a statistical-traffic-information acquirer for acquiring statistical traffic information that is obtained by statistically processing traffic conditions in the past based on time factors;

a traffic-jam-condition change recognizer for recognizing a change over time in the traffic condition of travel route of the mobile body based on the statistical traffic information;

an arrival position recognizer for recognizing a predicted arrival position of the mobile body at a predetermined time;

a predicted traffic-jam position recognizer for recognizing a predicted traffic-jam position at a predetermined time that is estimated based on the change over time in the traffic condition;

a stop-off information acquirer for acquiring, when determining that the mobile body arrives at the predicted traffic-jam position based on the predicted arrival position of the mobile body and the predicted traffic-jam position, stop-off information regarding a stop-off point located in a predetermined distance area from the travel route; and

a notification controller for controlling a notifier to notify the stop-off information.

20. :

The traffic-condition notifying system according to claim 17, further comprising;

a portable device connected to the server unit via a network to enable communication therebetween, the portable device including a notifier for notifying the departure notification information that is acquired from the server unit via the network.

18. :

A traffic-condition notifying system, comprising;

a server unit; and

a terminal unit,

the server including;

a current position recognizer for recognizing current position information about a current position of a mobile body;

a destination recognizer for recognizing destination information about a destination;

a route searcher for searching for a travel route of the mobile body from the current position to the destination;

a traffic-information recognizer for recognizing traffic information about a traffic condition;

a statistical-traffic-information acquirer for acquiring statistical traffic information that is obtained by statistically processing traffic conditions in the past based on time factors;

a traffic-jam-condition change recognizer for recognizing a change over time in the traffic condition of travel route of the mobile body based on the statistical traffic information;

an arrival position recognizer for recognizing a predicted arrival position of the mobile body at a predetermined time;

a predicted traffic-jam position recognizer for recognizing a predicted traffic-jam position at a predetermined time that is estimated based on the change over time in the traffic condition; and

a stop-by information acquirer for acquiring, when determining that the mobile body arrives at the predicted traffic-jam position based on the predicted arrival position of the mobile body and the predicted traffic-jam position, stop-by information regarding a stop-by point located in a predetermined distance area from the travel route,

the terminal unit including;

a transceiver for acquiring the map information and the stop-off information from the server unit via a network; and

a notifier for notifying the stop-off information.

21. :

The traffic-condition notifying system according to claim 18, further comprising;

a portable device connected to the server unit via a network to enable communication therebetween, the portable device including a notifier for notifying the departure notification information that is acquired from the server unit via the network.

22. :

A traffic-condition notifying method, comprising;

recognizing a change over time in a traffic condition based on statistical traffic information that is obtained by statistically processed map information, current position information of a mobile body, destination information, traffic information about a traffic condition and a traffic condition in the past based on time factors;

searching for a travel route from a current position of the mobile body to a destination; and

when determining that, based on a predicted traffic-jam position at a predetermined time that is estimated based on a predicted arrival position of the mobile body at a predetermined time and the change over time in the traffic condition, the mobile body arrives at the predicted traffic-jam position, and determining that the mobile body will be involved in a traffic jam at a predetermined time, acquiring stop-off information about a stop-off point in a predetermined distance area from the travel route to notify the stop-off information by the notifier.

23. :

A traffic-condition notifying program for operating a computing unit to execute a traffic-condition notifying method, the program stored in a recording medium in a manner readable by the computing unit, wherein

the method includes;

recognizing a change over time in a traffic condition based on statistical traffic information that is obtained by statistically processed map information, current position information of a mobile body, destination information, traffic information about a traffic condition and a traffic condition in the past based on time factors;

searching for a travel route from a current position of the mobile body to a destination; and

when determining that, based on a predicted traffic-jam position at a predetermined time that is estimated based on a predicted arrival position of the mobile body at a predetermined time and the change over time in the traffic condition, the mobile body arrives at the predicted traffic-jam position, and determining that the mobile body will be involved in a traffic jam at a predetermined time, acquiring stop-off information about a stop-off point in a predetermined distance area from the travel route to notify the stop-off information by the notifier.

24. :

A recording medium that stores a traffic-condition notifying program for operating a computing unit to execute a traffic-condition notifying method in a manner readable by a computing unit, wherein

the method includes;

recognizing a change over time in a traffic condition based on statistical traffic information that is obtained by statistically processed map information, current position information of a mobile body, destination information, traffic information about a traffic condition and a traffic condition in the past based on time factors;

searching for a travel route from a current position of the mobile body to a destination; and

when determining that, based on a predicted traffic-jam position at a predetermined time that is estimated based on a predicted arrival position of the mobile body at a predetermined time and the change over time in the traffic condition, the mobile body arrives at the predicted traffic-jam position, and determining that the mobile body will be involved in a traffic jam at a predetermined time, acquiring stop-off information about a stop-off point in a predetermined distance area from the travel route to notify the stop-off information by the notifier.