JP2010271223A - Information management server and information communication device mounted on mobile unit - Google Patents

Abstract

In information communication such as a communication type navigation system, a plurality of mobile bodies that transmit and receive information can be more appropriately communicated.
An information management server (200) is used for group travel that travels while communicating between a plurality of drivers who drive a plurality of moving bodies, and a plurality of information management servers (200) mounted on each of the plurality of moving bodies. An information management server capable of managing a plurality of probe information (120) in a plurality of moving bodies respectively provided from the probe information providing apparatus (300), and a first receiving means (202) for receiving a plurality of probe information respectively And when it is determined that one of the plurality of moving bodies has stopped based on the received probe information, the stopping point where the one moving body has stopped is a meeting point where the plurality of moving bodies gather And a first transmission means for transmitting the meeting point information relating to the determined meeting point to each of the plurality of mobile bodies.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a technical field of an information management server such as a communication type navigation system and an information communication device mounted on a mobile body.

  As this type of information communication system, Patent Document 1 and the like acquire other vehicle information by communication during group travel, and when a deviation vehicle occurs, set a planned junction point on the road while the group vehicle travels, And a technique for proposing a recommended route to the junction.

  Patent Document 2 and the like disclose a technique for setting a route that a departure vehicle catches up by communicating between the vehicles when a vehicle in the group deviates, sending a message to the leader vehicle.

  Also, in Patent Document 3, etc., position data is obtained from other vehicles using communication, the facility closest to the center is searched from the smallest circle containing the subject vehicle and the other vehicle, and the facility is set as a meeting place. The technology to do is disclosed.

  Patent Document 4 and the like disclose a technique related to a communication navigation system.

JP 2004-294068 A JP 2002-168640 A JP 2002-092788 A JP 2003-50135 A

  However, according to the above-described Patent Document 1 or the like, in order to set a merging point on the road while traveling, for example, when there is a stopped vehicle, the stop position of the vehicle and the traveling vehicle A meeting point is set between. For this reason, there is a possibility that the traveling vehicle and the stationary vehicle may not be able to merge, and there arises a technical problem that it becomes difficult to sufficiently communicate with each other.

  Further, according to the above-described Patent Document 4 or the like, there are cases where it is not noticed that there is a vehicle that has traveled the wrong route when touring with a plurality of vehicles. In addition, if a single vehicle visits a facility such as a restroom, it may not be able to catch up. In addition, there is a technical problem that it becomes difficult to find a place (such as a stop space depending on the number of vehicles) suitable for waiting for a vehicle that deviates from the train when touring with a plurality of vehicles. In addition, there is a technical problem that even if several leading vehicles are gathered, the following vehicle may not be able to join. The following three points can be considered as reasons. That is, the first point is a situation in which it is necessary to wait for a vehicle that deviates by taking a wrong route or taking a toilet break, etc., based only on the position information of each vehicle displayed on the navigation screen from the probe information. This is because each person must determine whether or not this is the case only from the position information displayed on the navigation screen. The second point is that even if it is noticed that there is a deviating vehicle, it is necessary to search and add a route while searching for a meeting point where there is a space where a plurality of vehicles can stop. The third point is because the position information is not transmitted to the following vehicle even if several leading vehicles are gathered.

  The present invention has been made in view of, for example, the above-described problems. For example, in information communication such as a communication-type navigation system, information that enables a plurality of mobile bodies that respectively transmit and receive information to communicate more appropriately. It is an object of the present invention to provide a management server and an information communication device mounted on a mobile unit.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an information management server according to the present invention is used for group travel that travels while communicating between a plurality of drivers who drive a plurality of mobile objects, and the plurality of mobile objects. An information management server capable of managing a plurality of probe information in the plurality of moving bodies provided from a plurality of probe information providing devices mounted on the plurality of probe information providing devices, respectively; first receiving means for receiving each of the plurality of probe information; A set point determining means for determining, based on the received probe information, a stop point at which one of the plurality of moving bodies stops, as a set point where the plurality of moving bodies gather; and the determination And a first transmission means for transmitting meeting point information regarding the set meeting point to each of the plurality of moving bodies.

  The information management server according to the present invention can typically be configured as a server device capable of managing a plurality of probe information provided from a plurality of probe information providing devices respectively mounted on a plurality of moving bodies. . Here, the probe information according to the present invention is information relating to a traveling state, a current position, a destination, and a waypoint in a plurality of moving bodies. Typically, the traveling state means an operating state of the moving body such as the traveling speed of the moving body and whether the driver of the moving body is stepping on the accelerator. Typically, it includes information on the movement of the vehicle acquired through the vehicle, the movement of the moving body such as imaging data around the power pole captured by the camera device attached to the power pole, etc., and information on the peripheral state of the moving body It is the purpose. The first receiving means receives a plurality of pieces of probe information respectively provided from a plurality of probe information providing devices. Here, “providing” according to the present invention means providing information, and its mode is not limited at all. Typically, the information is transmitted via a communication network such as a radio wave on which the information is superimposed. It may mean sending.

  Next, the stop point at which one moving body stops is determined by the meeting point determination means as a meeting point where a plurality of moving bodies gather based on the probe information. Here, “stop” according to the present invention means that the moving body is substantially stopped. This “stop” typically means that the traveling speed of the moving body does not exceed a predetermined value in addition to the fact that the traveling speed of the moving body is zero. Next, the first transmission means transmits the meeting point information regarding the determined meeting point to each of the plurality of mobile objects.

  Thereby, for example, a plurality of moving bodies such as all vehicles participating in the touring can easily determine, for example, a meeting point where the moving bodies temporarily gather by stopping the moving bodies. It is possible to more appropriately realize communication between the user or the driver to be moved.

  In particular, the information management server accurately transmits the intention and the set point to be gathered to the other mobile bodies among the multiple mobile bodies by simply stopping one mobile body among the multiple mobile bodies. It is possible to more appropriately realize communication among users of a plurality of mobile objects.

  One aspect of the information management server of the present invention further includes stop determination means for determining whether or not the one moving body has stopped based on the received probe information, and the meeting point determination means includes the When it is determined that one moving body has stopped, the stop point is determined as the set point.

  According to this aspect, the stop determination means determines whether one of the plurality of moving bodies has stopped based on the received probe information. Thereby, based on the determination by the stop determination unit, for example, a meeting point that temporarily gathers can be easily determined by stopping the moving body.

  Another aspect of the information management server of the present invention is a stop for determining whether or not two or more of the plurality of moving bodies have stopped near the same point based on the received probe information. The apparatus further includes a determination unit, and when it is determined that the two or more mobile objects have stopped near the same point, the collection point determination unit determines the same point as the collection point.

  Here, “close to the same point” according to the present invention means that the distance to the same point is within a predetermined range, and typically the distance to the same point can be walked within a few minutes on foot. Means about.

  According to this aspect, when it is determined that two or more of the plurality of moving bodies have stopped near the same point, the same point is determined as a meeting point, and a plurality of moving body users The information management server notifies the intention and the gathering point of the gathering. As a result, communication among users of a plurality of mobile objects can be more appropriately realized by a method similar to majority voting.

  Another aspect of the information management server of the present invention further comprises stop determination means for determining whether or not two or more of the plurality of moving bodies are stopped based on the received probe information. When it is determined that the two or more moving bodies have stopped, the meeting point determination means has a smaller distance to the destination among the two or more stopping points at which the two or more moving bodies have stopped. The stop point of the direction is determined as the meeting point.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to eliminate almost or completely the plurality of moving bodies traveling in the direction opposite to the direction toward the destination, so that the waste of traveling time of the plurality of moving bodies is more effective. Therefore, all of the moving bodies of the plurality of moving bodies can reach the destination more quickly.

  Another aspect of the information management server of the present invention further comprises stop determination means for determining whether or not two or more of the plurality of moving bodies are stopped based on the received probe information. In the case where it is determined that the two or more moving bodies have stopped, the meeting point determination means determines the stopping point of the wider parking space among the two or more stopping points at which the two or more moving bodies have stopped. Is determined as the meeting point.

  According to this aspect, users of a plurality of moving bodies can gather more easily and comfortably.

  Another aspect of the information management server of the present invention further comprises stop determination means for determining whether or not two or more of the plurality of moving bodies are stopped based on the received probe information. In the case where it is determined that the two or more moving bodies have stopped, the meeting point determination means is on an initially set route that is initially set among two or more stopping points at which the two or more moving bodies have stopped. A stop point having a smaller distance from the initially set route is determined as the meeting point.

  According to this aspect, since it is possible to almost or completely eliminate a plurality of moving bodies from deviating from the initial setting route, it is possible to more effectively eliminate a waste of traveling time of the plurality of moving bodies. It is possible that all the moving bodies of the plurality of moving bodies can reach the destination more quickly.

  According to another aspect of the information management server of the present invention, when the traveling speed indicated by the received probe information exceeds a predetermined value for a time lower than a predetermined speed, a stop determination unit that determines that the one moving body has stopped is provided. Furthermore, the said meeting point determination means determines the said stopping point as the said meeting point, when it determines with the said 1 mobile body having stopped.

  According to this aspect, the stop of the moving body can be determined with high accuracy by comparing the time when the traveling speed is zero or the time when the traveling speed is lower than the predetermined speed with the predetermined value. Here, the predetermined value according to the present invention may be determined in advance according to the degree of intention to stop among users of a plurality of moving bodies such as several tens of minutes.

  In another aspect of the information management server of the present invention, the probe information includes information related to a throttle opening of the moving body, and the stop determination unit is configured to detect the throttle opening of the moving body indicated by the received probe information. When the value exceeds a predetermined value, it is determined that the moving body has stopped.

  According to this aspect, the stop of the moving body can be determined with high accuracy by comparing the throttle opening of the moving body with a predetermined value. Here, the predetermined value according to the present invention may be determined in advance according to the degree of intention to stop the driver of a plurality of moving bodies, for example, several tens of minutes. In particular, since the action of releasing the accelerator is highly likely to be an intention to stop the driver of the moving body, the stopping of the moving body can be determined with higher accuracy.

  According to another aspect of the information management server of the present invention, there is further provided stop determination means for determining whether the one moving body has stopped on a road surface other than a roadway based on a map database in addition to the received probe information. The meeting point determination means determines the stop point at which the one moving body has stopped as the meeting point when it is determined that the one moving body has stopped on the road surface other than the roadway.

  Here, the “map database” according to the present invention means a database of map information including road information, traffic signal information, facility information, terrain information, etc., and is stored updatable in the storage means of the information management server. Good.

  According to this aspect, the stop of the moving body can be determined with higher accuracy depending on whether or not the one moving body has stopped on the road surface excluding the roadway. In particular, stopping on the road surface excluding the roadway is highly likely to be an intention to stop the driver of the moving body, so that the stopping of the moving body can be determined with higher accuracy.

  According to another aspect of the information management server of the present invention, stop determination means for determining whether the one moving body has stopped in a lane other than a traffic lane based on a traffic information database in addition to the received probe information. And when the one moving body is stopped in a lane other than the traffic jam lane, the meeting point determining means determines the stop point where the one moving body has stopped as the collecting point.

  Here, the “traffic information database” according to the present invention refers to a traffic information database including traffic information that changes from moment to moment, and may be stored in the storage means of the information management server in an updatable manner.

  According to this aspect, the stop of the moving body can be determined with higher accuracy depending on whether or not one moving body has stopped in a lane other than the traffic lane. In particular, stopping in a lane other than a congested lane is likely to be an intention to stop the driver of the moving body, so that the stopping of the moving body can be determined with higher accuracy.

  According to another aspect of the information management server of the present invention, the stop determination means determines whether the one moving body has stopped outside a predetermined range from the traffic signal location point in addition to the received probe information. The determination is made based on a database, and when it is determined that the one moving body has stopped outside the predetermined range from the location of the traffic signal, the meeting point determination means determines the stopping point where the one moving body has stopped. It is determined as the meeting point.

  According to this aspect, the stop of the moving body can be determined with higher accuracy depending on whether or not the one moving body has stopped outside the predetermined range from the location of the traffic signal. In particular, stopping outside the predetermined range from the location of the traffic signal is likely to be an intention to stop the driver of the moving body, so that the stopping of the moving body can be determined with higher accuracy. Here, the predetermined range according to the present invention means a range of a stop position of the moving body where the moving body stops according to a red signal of the traffic signal. Typically, this predetermined range can be defined quantitatively and qualitatively according to the length of a single moving object, the average number of stops of the moving object, and the degree of traffic congestion.

  About the stop determination means, typically, it may be determined whether or not the vehicle has stopped outside a predetermined range from the location where the traffic signal is located, based on information captured by a camera mounted on the moving body. Thereby, it can be determined in real time whether it has stopped outside the predetermined range from the location of the traffic signal.

  In order to solve the above problem, an information communication device for mounting on a mobile body according to the present invention is used for group travel that travels while communicating among a plurality of drivers who drive a plurality of mobile bodies, A mobile unit-mounted information communication device mounted on a mobile unit and capable of transmitting and receiving probe information on the mobile unit, the first receiving unit receiving a plurality of probe information on the plurality of mobile units, and the received Based on the obtained probe information, a meeting point determining means for determining a stop point at which one of the plurality of moving objects stops as a meeting point where the plurality of moving objects gathers, and the determined meeting point First transmission means for transmitting the gathering point information to the plurality of mobile bodies, second transmission means for sending the probe information, and second reception for receiving the transmitted gathering point information Based on the stage and, the received set point information, and a route guidance means for performing route guidance of the movable body.

  According to the mobile communication information communication apparatus of the present invention, the first receiving means, the meeting point determining means, the first transmitting means, the second transmitting means, the second receiving means, the route guiding means, Is provided. The first receiving means, the meeting point determining means, and the first transmitting means operate as described above. The second transmission means transmits probe information. The second receiving means receives the transmitted meeting point information. The route guidance means performs route guidance for the mobile body based on the received meeting point information. Here, the “route guidance” according to the present invention means various operations that cause the driver of the mobile body to perceive guidance information for guiding to a destination or a meeting point.

  Thereby, for example, a plurality of moving bodies such as all vehicles participating in the touring can easily determine, for example, a meeting point where the moving bodies temporarily gather by stopping the moving bodies. It is possible to more appropriately realize communication between the user or the driver to be moved.

  In particular, the information management server accurately transmits the intention and the set point to be gathered to the other mobile bodies among the multiple mobile bodies by simply stopping one mobile body among the multiple mobile bodies. It is possible to more appropriately realize communication among users of a plurality of mobile objects.

  Such an operation and other advantages of the present embodiment will become apparent from the embodiments described below.

It is the block diagram which showed notionally the basic composition of the information communication system 1 which concerns on this embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed notionally the functional basic structure of the probe information provision apparatus which provides the probe information 120 which concerns on this embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed notionally the functional basic structure of the navigation apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed notionally the functional basic structure of the information management server which concerns on this embodiment. It is a timing chart which showed the flow of operation of the information management server, information terminal, and probe information providing device which constitute the information communication system concerning this embodiment. It is the table | surface (FIG. 6 (a), FIG.6 (b), and FIG.6 (c)) which each showed the information which the tooling information concerning this embodiment, probe information, and meeting point information each contain. It is the conceptual diagram which showed notionally the information flow at the time of the touring start in the information management server which comprises the information communication system which concerns on this embodiment, and five vehicles carrying a probe information provision apparatus and a navigation apparatus. . It is the table | surface which showed the condition group for determining the meeting point which concerns on this embodiment, and the truth of these condition groups. It is the conceptual diagram which showed notionally the flow of the meeting point information in the information management server which comprises the information communication system which concerns on this embodiment, and five vehicles carrying a probe information provision apparatus and a navigation apparatus. The top view (FIG. 10 (a)) which showed typically the position in the middle of touring of the five vehicles which mount the probe information provision apparatus and navigation apparatus which comprise the information communication system which concerns on this embodiment, and five sets It is the top view (Drawing 10 (b)) which showed the gathering point of the vehicles of a figure. A plan view (FIG. 11 (a)) schematically showing positions during tooling of five vehicles equipped with a probe information providing device and a navigation device constituting the information communication system according to the present embodiment; It is the top view (Drawing 11 (b)) which showed the gathering point of five vehicles concerning a comparative example typically. It is the timing chart which showed the flow of operation | movement of the information management server which comprises the information communication system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, an information terminal, and a probe information provision apparatus.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following description shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a communication navigation system.

(First embodiment)
(Schematic configuration of information communication system)
First, the basic configuration of the information communication system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram conceptually showing the basic structure of the information communication system 1 according to this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the information communication system 1 according to this embodiment includes a communication network 100, an information management server 200, a vehicle 30 including a probe information providing device 300 and a navigation device 400. Yes. The information management server 200 and the vehicle 30 including the probe information providing device 300 and the navigation device 400 can transmit and receive tooling information 110, probe information 120, and meeting point information 130 via a communication network 100 such as the Internet. It is configured as follows. The details of the tooling information 110, the probe information 120, and the meeting point information 130 will be described later.

  The information management server 200 is a server device and manages the position of each probe information providing device 300. In addition, the information management server 200 receives the probe information 120 after requesting transmission of the probe information 120 to the probe information providing apparatus 300, for example, and performs tooling toward the vehicle 30 including the probe information providing apparatus 300 and the navigation apparatus 400. Information 110 and meeting point information 130 are transmitted. Details of the information management server 200 will be described later.

  The probe information providing device 300 is provided in the vehicle 30 and is equipped with a navigation device 400. For example, in response to a probe information transmission request from the information management server 200, the probe information providing device 300 sends the probe information 120 to the information management server 200. Send. Details of the probe information providing apparatus 300 will be described later.

  Note that the probe information providing apparatus 300 in the present embodiment is practically realized by components of the navigation apparatus 400 described later.

(Probe information providing device)
Next, a functional basic configuration of the probe information providing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram conceptually showing the functional basic configuration of the probe information providing apparatus that provides the probe information 120 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the probe information providing apparatus 300 is mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle 30. The probe information providing apparatus 300 includes a control unit 301, a transmission / reception unit 302, a GPS reception device 303, a wiper operation control device 304, a self-supporting positioning device 305, and a navigation device 400, as illustrated. Specifically, the control unit 301 is a CPU or the like, and performs overall control of the entire probe information providing apparatus 300. The control unit 301 includes a current location information providing unit 306 and a probe information providing unit 307. That is, the current location information providing unit 306 and the probe information providing unit 307 are realized by the control unit 301 executing a predetermined program.

  The transmission / reception unit 302 transmits / receives various types of information, and specifically transmits the probe information 120 to the information management server 200.

  The GPS receiver 303 receives radio waves carrying downlink data including positioning data from a plurality of GPS satellites. The positioning data is used to detect the absolute position of the vehicle from latitude and longitude information.

  The wiper operation control device 304 controls driving / stopping of a wiper (not shown) and is operated by a driver.

  The self-supporting positioning device 305 includes an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, and a distance sensor. The acceleration sensor is made of, for example, a piezoelectric element, detects the acceleration of the vehicle, and outputs acceleration data. The angular velocity sensor is composed of, for example, a vibrating gyroscope, detects the angular velocity of the vehicle when the direction of the vehicle is changed, and outputs angular velocity data and relative azimuth data. A distance sensor measures the vehicle speed pulse which consists of a pulse signal generated with rotation of the wheel of a vehicle.

  The accelerator detection device 309 detects whether or not the driver of the vehicle 30 has released an accelerator (not shown) of the vehicle 30, that is, whether or not it has been depressed.

  The current location information providing unit 306 acquires the latitude / longitude information where the probe information providing device 300 is located from the GPS receiver 303 and transmits the latitude / longitude information to the information management server 200. The current location information providing unit 306 may transmit the latitude / longitude information to the information management server 200.

  The probe information providing unit 307 acquires an accelerator operation state regarding whether or not the driver of the vehicle 30 has released the accelerator from the accelerator detection device 309, acquires an operation state of the wiper from the wiper operation control device 304, By acquiring speed information from the positioning device 305, the accelerator operation state, the wiper operation state, and the speed information are transmitted to the information management server 200 as probe information 120.

  As described above, in the probe information providing apparatus 300, the current location information providing unit 306 transmits the current location information to the information management server 200 in response to, for example, a current location information transmission request from the information management server 200. The position of the probe information providing apparatus 300 can be notified to the user. Further, the probe information providing apparatus provides the probe information 120 to the information management server 200 when the probe information providing unit 307 transmits the probe information in response to a transmission request for the probe information 120 from the information management server 200. Can do.

(Navigation device)
Next, a functional basic configuration of the navigation device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram conceptually showing the functional basic configuration of the navigation apparatus according to this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the navigation device 400 includes a system controller 20, a disk drive 31, a data storage unit 36, a display unit 40, an audio output unit 50, an input device 60, a camera 65, and a communication device 38.

  The system controller 20 includes an interface 21, a CPU 22, a ROM 23, and a RAM 24. The system controller 20 controls the navigation device 400 as a whole, and can realize route guidance that allows the vehicle driver to perceive guidance information that leads to a destination or a meeting point. Various controls are performed.

  The interface 21 performs an interface operation with an autonomous positioning device, a GPS receiver, and the like, which will be described later. From these, vehicle speed pulses, acceleration data, relative azimuth data, angular velocity data, GPS positioning data, absolute azimuth data, and the like are input to the system controller 20. The CPU 22 controls the entire system controller 20. The ROM 23 includes a nonvolatile memory (not shown) in which a control program for controlling the system controller 20 is stored. The RAM 24 stores various data such as route data preset by the user via the input device 60 so as to be readable, and provides a working area to the CPU 22.

  The system controller 20, the disk drive 31 such as a CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive, the data storage unit 36, the display unit 40, the audio output unit 50, and the input device 60 are connected to each other via the bus line 30. .

  The disk drive 31 reads and outputs content data such as music data and video data from a disk 33 such as a CD or DVD under the control of the system controller 20. The disk drive 31 may be either a CD-ROM drive or a DVD-ROM drive, or may be a CD and DVD compatible drive.

  The data storage unit 36 is composed of, for example, an HDD and stores various data used for navigation processing such as map information and facility data.

  The communication device 38 includes, for example, an FM tuner, a beacon receiver, a mobile phone, a dedicated communication card, and the like, and traffic congestion and traffic information distributed from a VICS (Vehicle Information Communication System) center via the communication interface 37. The road traffic information and other information are received via the radio wave 39.

  The display unit 40 displays various display data on a display device such as a display under the control of the system controller 20. Specifically, the system controller 20 reads map information from the data storage unit 36. The display unit 40 displays the map information read from the data storage unit 36 by the system controller 20 on a display screen such as a display. The display unit 40 includes a graphic controller 41 that controls the entire display unit 40 based on control data sent from the CPU 22 via the bus line 30 and a memory such as a VRAM (Video RAM), and can display image information that can be displayed immediately. A buffer memory 42 that temporarily stores, a display control unit 43 that controls display of a display 44 such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) based on image data output from the graphic controller 41, and a display 44 are provided. . The display 44 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device having a diagonal of about 5 to 10 inches and is mounted near the front panel in the vehicle.

  The camera 65 is provided toward the front of the vehicle and takes an image of the front of the vehicle such as a traffic light. The image to be taken may be a still image or a moving image. The captured image of the camera 65 can be used for various purposes. In this embodiment, the image of the traffic light is captured and displayed on the display 44. The camera 65 is fixed by an electrically controllable fixing device, and its direction can be changed by an external signal.

  The audio output unit 50 includes a D / A converter 51 that performs D / A conversion of audio digital data sent from the disk drive 31 or the RAM 24 via the bus line 30 under the control of the system controller 20, and a D / A converter. An amplifier (AMP) 52 that amplifies the audio analog signal output from 51, and a speaker 53 that converts the amplified audio analog signal into audio and outputs it to the vehicle are configured.

  The input device 60 includes keys, switches, buttons, a remote controller, a voice input device, and the like for inputting various commands and data. The input device 60 is disposed around the front panel and the display 44 of the main body of the in-vehicle electronic system mounted in the vehicle. When the display 44 is a touch panel system, the touch panel provided on the display screen of the display 44 also functions as the input device 60.

(Information management server)
Next, a functional basic configuration of the information management server according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram conceptually showing the functional basic configuration of the information management server according to this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the information management server 200 is actually a server device. As illustrated, the information management server 200 includes a control unit 201, a transmission / reception unit 202, and a storage unit 203. The storage unit 203 includes a vehicle DB 220, a map DB 221, and a traffic information DB 222. Specifically, the control unit 201 is a CPU or the like, and performs overall control of the information management server 200 as a whole. The control unit 201 includes a probe information acquisition unit 211 and a probe information analysis unit 212 having a stop determination unit 213 and a meeting point determination unit 214. That is, the control unit 201 executes a predetermined program, thereby realizing a probe information acquisition unit 211, a probe information analysis unit 212, a stop determination unit 213, and a meeting point determination unit 214.

  The transmission / reception unit 202 transmits / receives various information such as the tooling information 110, the probe information 120, and the meeting point information 130. Here, the touring information 110 according to the present embodiment means information necessary when a plurality of vehicles 30 make a touring trip.

  The probe information 120 according to the present embodiment includes position information that can uniquely identify the current position of the probe information providing device 300 mounted on each vehicle 30, speed information regarding the traveling speed of each vehicle 30, and each vehicle. Information on the stop time of each vehicle 30, information on the stop location of each vehicle 30, destinations of each vehicle 30, various travel states of each vehicle such as waypoints of each vehicle 30, stop states, and surrounding states of each vehicle Means information. Typically, information on the operation of the vehicle acquired through the vehicle, the operation of the moving body such as imaging data around the power pole captured by the camera device attached to the power pole, the peripheral state of the moving body, for example, the wiper The information about the operation status of the accessory device of the moving body is included.

  In addition, the meeting point information 130 according to the present embodiment means information related to a meeting point where a plurality of vehicles 30 need to temporarily gather during a touring trip.

  The storage unit 203 holds a vehicle DB 220, a map DB 221, and a traffic information DB 222. Specifically, it is a hard disk or the like. Here, in the vehicle DB 220, a correspondence relationship between the identification information of the vehicle 30 and the current position of the probe information providing apparatus 300 mounted on the vehicle 30 is defined, and the identification information of the vehicle 30 and the vehicle 30 are mounted. It is a database that can manage the current position of the probe information providing apparatus 300. An example of the identification information of the vehicle 30 is a manufacturing identification number of the car navigation device 400 mounted on the vehicle 30.

  The probe information analysis unit 211 analyzes the probe information 120 acquired by the probe information acquisition unit 207 and outputs the analysis result of the probe information 120. In particular, the stop determination unit 213 of the probe information analysis unit 211 determines the stop of the vehicle 30 by a method described later. As will be described later, the meeting point determination unit 214 of the probe information analysis unit 211 determines a meeting point at which all the vehicles need to temporarily gather based on the stop of the vehicle 30.

(Operational principle of information communication system)
Next, the operation principle of the information communication system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the flow of operations of the information management server, the information terminal, and the probe information providing apparatus that constitute the information communication system according to this embodiment. FIG. 6 is a table (FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 6C) showing information included in each of the tooling information, the probe information, and the meeting point information according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 conceptually shows the information flow at the start of touring in the information management server constituting the information communication system according to the present embodiment, and five vehicles equipped with the probe information providing device and the navigation device. It is a conceptual diagram.

  First, as shown in the control process of the information terminal 10 in FIG. 5, the tooling information 110 is set by the user who uses the information communication system according to the present embodiment (step S101).

  Here, the touring information 110 according to the present embodiment means various kinds of information transmitted and received between the plurality of vehicles 30 and the information management server when the plurality of vehicles 30 make a touring trip. Typically, as shown in FIG. 6A, the touring information 110 is the same destination, route place, the number of participating vehicles 30 when a plurality of vehicles 30 make a touring trip, and It means the identification information A0, B0, C0, D0 and E0 of the vehicle 30 that can participate in this touring trip and can uniquely identify the vehicle 30 to be communicated with by the information management server 200.

  The information terminal 10 may typically be an information device such as a PC (Personal Computer), a mobile phone, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). This information terminal 10 may adopt any mode in the purpose of setting tooling information in the information communication system according to the present embodiment. Typically, the information terminal 10 may be an input unit that inputs information to the information management server 200 via a communication network such as the Internet. Alternatively, the tooling information 110 may be added to the probe information 120 and transmitted to the information management server 200 by the probe information providing apparatus.

  Next, the set tooling information 110 is transmitted to the information management server 200 by the user (step S102).

(Information management server control processing)
As shown in the control process of the information management server 200 in FIG. 5, the information management server 200 receives and acquires the tooling information 110 transmitted from the information terminal 10 (step S201).

  Next, the information management server 200 registers in the vehicle database 220 the identification information of the vehicle 30 that can be uniquely identified by the information management server 200 and included in the touring information 110 (steps). S202).

  Next, the information management server 200 confirms that the vehicle 30 that can be uniquely identified by the registered identification number of the vehicle 30 can communicate with the information management server 200 (step S203).

  Next, the acquired tooling information 110 is transmitted by the information management server 200 toward the vehicle 30 that can be uniquely identified by the registered identification number of the vehicle 30 (step S204).

(Vehicle control processing)
As shown in the control process of each vehicle 30 in FIG. 5, the tooling information 110 is received by the probe information providing apparatus 300 mounted on each vehicle 30 (step S301).

  Next, route guidance of each vehicle 30 is performed by the navigation device 400 of the probe information providing device 300 so as to arrive at the destination via the route included in the received tooling information 110 (step S302). .

  Next, the probe information 120 is transmitted by the probe information providing device 300 of each vehicle 30 (step S303). As shown in FIG. 6B, the probe information 120 typically includes (i) a vehicle identification number, (ii) a destination and waypoint set by the vehicle, and (iii) the vehicle. (Iv) whether the driver of the vehicle is in the on state with the accelerator depressed or in the off state with no depression, (v) whether the vehicle is stopped in front of the traffic light, (vi It is preferable to include information regarding whether the driver of the vehicle has received traffic jam information, or (vii) an image or video image captured by a camera mounted on the vehicle.

(Information management server control processing: continued)
Again, as shown in the control process of the information management server 200 in FIG. 5, the information management server 200 receives the probe information 120 (step S205).

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, at the start of tooling in the information communication system according to the present embodiment, the information management server 200 includes five vehicles each equipped with a probe information providing device 300 and a navigation device 400. The tooling information 110 is transmitted to the A, the vehicle “B”, the vehicle “C”, the vehicle “D”, and the vehicle “E” via the transmission / reception unit 202, respectively. Simultaneously or in succession, the information management server 200 transmits / receives probe information 120 from five vehicles “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” and “E”. Receiving via 202 respectively.

  Next, the stop state determination unit 213 included in the probe information analysis unit 212 of the information management server 200 determines whether a plurality of vehicles such as two vehicles have approached the same place and stopped for a certain period of time. (Step S206). Here, “stop” according to the present embodiment means that the vehicle is substantially stopped. This “stop” typically means that the speed of the vehicle is zero and that the vehicle is traveling on the ground in a predetermined range at a speed that does not exceed a predetermined value.

  As a result of the determination in step S206, for example, when it is determined that a plurality of vehicles such as two have stopped at the same place for a certain time (step S206: Yes), the meeting point determination unit 214 of the information management server 200 The stop point at which these two vehicles are stopped is determined as the set point at which all the vehicles need to be temporarily set (step S207).

  The information management server 200 transmits the meeting point information including the position information of the meeting point and the attribute information of the meeting point to all the vehicles (step S208).

  Here, the meeting point information 130 according to the present embodiment means various kinds of information related to the meeting point at which all vehicles need to be temporarily gathered. As shown in FIG. 6C, this meeting point information 130 is typically (i) an identification number of the meeting point, (ii) position information of the meeting point, and (iii) attribute information indicating the meeting point. It is preferable to include information regarding.

(Determination of meeting point)
Here, with reference to FIG. 8, the determination method of the meeting point which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 8 is a table showing the condition groups for determining the meeting point according to the present embodiment and the true / false of these condition groups.

  Specifically, the meeting point determination unit 214 of the information management server 200 may analyze the probe information 120 for each item shown in FIG. 8 and determine the meeting point. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, (i) whether there are two or more vehicles that have stopped, or (ii) the vehicle driver is in the on state or the off state in which the accelerator is not depressed. (Iii) whether the road where the vehicle is stopped is on the normal lane, (iv) whether the vehicle is stopped before the traffic light, (v) the vehicle is stopped The meeting point may be determined by comprehensively considering the contents of each item such as whether or not the point is on a traffic lane and (vi) whether or not the vehicle is receiving traffic information.

  Typically, two of the five vehicles stop near the same point (ie, the same point), and when the other three are traveling, the two stop near each other May be determined as a meeting point. Alternatively, if a majority of three of the five vehicles are stopped near the same first point and the other two are stopped near the same second point, the majority is three. You may determine the 1st point which the stand has stopped near as a meeting point.

  More typically, when a vehicle driver releases the accelerator, that is, a certain time has elapsed from the time when the accelerator is off, and the traveling position of the vehicle is a road surface other than a normal lane such as a parking lot or a road shoulder. In this case, it may be determined that the vehicle is “eligible as a meeting point”, and the stop point of the vehicle may be determined as the meeting point.

  When a certain period of time has passed since the vehicle stopped and the traveling position of the vehicle is a road surface other than a normal lane such as a parking lot or a shoulder, it is determined that the vehicle is eligible as a meeting point. May be determined as a meeting point.

  If a certain period of time has elapsed since the vehicle stopped, the vehicle has received traffic jam information by the communication device 38, and the travel position of the vehicle is on the traffic jam target lane, it is determined that the vehicle is not eligible as a meeting point However, it is not necessary to determine the stop point of the vehicle as the meeting point.

  When the vehicle receives traffic information by the communication device 38 and the vehicle stops in front of the traffic light on the normal lane and the traffic lane without traffic, it is determined that the vehicle is not eligible as a meeting point due to the stop by the traffic light. The stop point of the vehicle does not have to be determined as the meeting point. In particular, if the measurement accuracy of the current position by GPS is high enough to distinguish the road shoulder and the driving lane, if it is determined that the road shoulder is stopped even before the traffic light, it is “eligible as a meeting point” The stop point of the vehicle may be determined as the meeting point.

  When the vehicle receives traffic information by the communication device 38, and it is determined that the traffic light is imaged by the camera 65 mounted on the vehicle on the normal lane and the traffic lane without traffic, and is stopped before the traffic light, It is not necessary to determine the stop point of the vehicle as a set point because it is determined that the vehicle is not eligible as a set point because of a stop. In particular, if the measurement accuracy of the current position by GPS is high enough to distinguish the road shoulder and the driving lane, if it is determined that the road shoulder is stopped even before the traffic light, it is “eligible as a meeting point” The stop point of the vehicle may be determined as the meeting point.

  When the vehicle is stopped for a long time, when the abnormality of the vehicle is recognized by analysis of the probe information 120, for example, when the traveling speed of the vehicle is high even though the current position of the vehicle is not moving, etc. Therefore, it is not necessary to determine that the stop point of the vehicle is a meeting point. In particular, in this case, it is determined that the stop point of the vehicle in which the abnormality is recognized is “eligible as a set point” for the purpose of assisting the vehicle that participated in the touring, and the stop point of the vehicle is set as the set point You may decide.

(Vehicle control processing: continued)
Again, referring to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 in addition to FIG. 5 described above, processing subsequent to the control processing of each vehicle 30 will be described. FIG. 9 conceptually shows the flow of the meeting point information in the information management server constituting the information communication system according to the present embodiment, and the five vehicles equipped with the probe information providing device and the navigation device. It is a conceptual diagram. FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically showing positions during touring of five vehicles equipped with the probe information providing device and the navigation device constituting the information communication system according to the present embodiment (FIG. 10A). ) And a plan view (FIG. 10B) schematically showing the meeting point of five vehicles. In addition, the arrow in Fig.10 (a) and FIG.10 (b) shows the direction which goes to a destination.

  As shown in the control processing of each vehicle 30 in FIG. 5, the meeting point information is received by the probe information providing apparatus 300 of each vehicle 30 (step S304).

  Next, the navigation device 400 of the probe information providing device 300 of each vehicle 30 displays the attribute information of the meeting point indicated by the meeting point information (step S305).

  Next, the navigation device 400 of the probe information providing device 300 of each vehicle 30 resets the waypoints of each vehicle 30 so that the setpoint included in the setpoint information becomes the waypoint of each vehicle 30. Then, the route guidance is performed by the navigation device 400 so as to pass through the meeting point newly set as the waypoint (step S306).

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, during the touring in the information communication system according to the present embodiment, the information management server 200 includes five vehicles each equipped with a probe information providing device 300 and a navigation device 400. Probe information 120 from vehicle A, vehicle B, vehicle C, vehicle D and vehicle E is received via transmission / reception unit 202, and the contents of the received probe information 120 are analyzed. Then, the running state and the stop state of each vehicle are determined. As a result of the determination of the traveling state and the stopped state, for example, it is determined that the vehicle “A” and the vehicle “B” that are closer to the destination stop near the same point, and the vehicle “C” and the vehicle “D” When it is determined that the vehicle is traveling in a normal lane on the route for arriving at the ground, and the vehicle “E” is determined to be stopped at a parking lot outside the route for arriving at the destination, the information management server 200 determines a point at which both the vehicle “A” and the vehicle “B” are stopped as a meeting point. At the same time or in succession, the information management server 200 gathers the set points for the five vehicles “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, and “E”. The point information 130 is transmitted via the transmission / reception unit 202.

(Information management server control processing: continued)
Again, as shown in the control process of the information management server 20 in FIG. 5, as a result of the determination in step S <b> 206 described above, the stop state determination unit 213 of the information management server 200 causes a plurality of vehicles such as two to be the same. If it is not determined that the vehicle has stopped for a certain period of time (step S206: No), the information management server 200 determines whether all vehicles have arrived at the destination (step S209). Here, when it is not determined that all the vehicles have arrived at the destination (step S209: No), the information management server 20 receives the probe information again (step S205). On the other hand, if it is determined that all the vehicles have arrived at the destination as a result of the determination in step S209 described above (step S209: Yes), the series of control processing ends.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10A, during the touring in the information communication system according to the present embodiment, the information management server 200 has vehicles “A” and “B” that are closer to the destination, for example. It is determined that the vehicle “C” and the vehicle “D” are traveling in the normal lane on the route for arriving at the destination, and the vehicle “E” When determining that the vehicle has stopped at the parking lot deviating from the route for arriving at the destination, the information management server 200 determines that the point where both the vehicle “A” and the vehicle “B” are stopped is the meeting point “P1”. And the meeting point information 130 regarding the meeting point “P1” is transmitted to the five vehicles “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, and “E”. . Thereby, the navigation device 400 in the three vehicles “C”, the vehicle “D”, and the vehicle “E” excluding the vehicle “A” and the vehicle “B” passes through this meeting point “P1” as a waypoint. As a result of performing route guidance for the drivers of the vehicles as described above, as shown in FIG. 10B, all the vehicles can be temporarily gathered at the meeting point “P1”.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the information management server 200 uses a point at which one of the plurality of vehicles participating in the touring as a collection point for all the vehicles participating in the touring. The meeting point information regarding this meeting point is transmitted to all the vehicles. Thereby, it is possible to easily set a point where all the vehicles participating in the touring gather temporarily by stopping the vehicle.

  In addition, as a result of the fact that one vehicle participating in the touring simply stops, the information management server 200 accurately transmits the intention and the meeting point to gather to the other vehicles participating in the touring. It is possible to more appropriately realize communication between all the vehicles participating in the touring.

  In particular, for example, when one vehicle is stopped at a position closer to the destination, the vehicle participating in the touring can be moved to the destination by setting the position where the one vehicle is stopped as a meeting point. Since it is possible to eliminate almost or completely traveling in the direction opposite to the direction, it is possible to more effectively eliminate the waste of traveling time of all vehicles participating in touring, and participate in touring It is possible for all the vehicles that are running to reach their destination more quickly.

  In particular, for example, when one vehicle is stopped at a position on the initial setting route, a plurality of moving bodies deviate from the initial setting route by setting the position at which the one vehicle stops as a meeting point. It is possible to eliminate the waste of the traveling time of a plurality of moving bodies more effectively, and all the moving bodies of the plurality of moving bodies are more It is possible to reach the destination quickly.

  In particular, for example, when at least two of a plurality of vehicles are stopped at the same place or close to each other, the position where these two vehicles are stopped is set as a set point, and the intention and set point to be set are set as the information management server 200. It is possible to realize communication between all the vehicles participating in the touring by a method similar to majority decision.

  In particular, for example, when a majority of the vehicles are stopped at the same place or close to each other among a plurality of vehicles, the position where these majority of the vehicles are stopped is set as a set point, and the intention and set point to be set are set as the information management server 200. It is possible to realize the communication of all the vehicles participating in the touring by the majority method.

(Examination of actions and effects according to this embodiment)
Next, with reference to FIG. 11, the operation and effect according to the present embodiment will be examined. FIG. 11 is a plan view schematically showing the positions during touring of the five vehicles equipped with the probe information providing device and the navigation device constituting the information communication system according to the present embodiment (FIG. 11). FIG. 11A is a plan view schematically showing an assembly point of five vehicles according to a comparative example (FIG. 11B). In addition, the arrow in Fig.11 (a) and FIG.11 (b) shows the direction which goes to a destination.

  As shown in the comparative example of FIG. 11B, if the set point of the five vehicles is a point Px where the distances from the five vehicles are approximately equal, the vehicle “A” and the vehicle “b” ”Travels in the opposite direction to the direction toward the lowland, and must temporarily gather at the gathering point Px, resulting in a technical problem that travel time is wasted.

  On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11A, the vehicles “A” and “B” that are stopped in close proximity to the point P1 that is closer to the destination. A stop position is determined as a meeting point. This makes it possible to eliminate almost or completely the vehicle participating in the touring in a direction opposite to the direction toward the destination, so that the travel time of all the vehicles participating in the touring can be reduced. Waste can be eliminated more effectively, and all the vehicles participating in the touring can reach the destination more quickly.

(Second Embodiment)
(Operating principle)
Next, the operation principle of the information communication system according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing the flow of operations of the information management server, the information terminal, and the probe information providing apparatus that constitute the information communication system according to the second embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 12, after the above-described steps S <b> 101, S <b> 102, S <b> 201 to S <b> 205, S <b> 301 to S <b> 303, the stop state determination unit 213 included in the probe information analysis unit 212 of the information management server 200 It is determined whether or not the plurality of vehicles have stopped for a certain period of time at two different locations (step S401). As a result of the determination in step S401, for example, when it is determined that a plurality of vehicles such as two vehicles have stopped at two different locations for a certain time (step S401: Yes), the meeting point determination unit 214 of the information management server 200 Thus, a point having a larger parking space among two different points where these two vehicles are stopped is determined as a set point where all the vehicles need to temporarily gather (step S402). ). Thereafter, the processing after step S208 described above is performed.

  Thereby, the driver | operator of a several mobile body can gather more simply and comfortably.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where probe information is periodically transmitted from the probe information providing apparatus 300 to the information management server 200 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the information management server 200 includes the probe information providing apparatus 300. For example, probe information may be requested.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the probe information providing apparatus 300 is mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and in the case where it is possible to determine the stop of the moving body such as a vehicle, for example, The present invention may be applied to fixed buildings such as utility poles and traffic lights.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit or concept of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification. An information communication device mounted on a mobile unit is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The present invention can be used for an information management server such as a communication type navigation system and an information communication device mounted on a mobile body.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information provision system 30 Vehicle 110 Tooling information 120 Probe information 130 Meeting point information 200 Information management server 201 Control part 202 Transmission / reception part 203 Storage part 211 Probe information acquisition part 212 Probe information analysis part 213 Stop determination part 214 Meeting point information determination part 300 Probe information providing device 400 Navigation device

Claims (12)

The plurality of the plurality of probe information providing devices used for the group traveling that travels while communicating among the plurality of drivers who drive the plurality of moving bodies, and provided from the plurality of probe information providing devices respectively mounted on the plurality of moving bodies. An information management server capable of managing a plurality of probe information in a mobile body of
First receiving means for respectively receiving the plurality of probe information;
Based on the received probe information, a meeting point determination means for determining a stop point where one moving body of the plurality of moving bodies stops as a meeting point where the plurality of moving bodies gathers;
An information management server, comprising: first transmission means for transmitting the meeting point information relating to the determined meeting point to each of the plurality of mobile objects. Further comprising stop determination means for determining whether or not the one moving body has stopped based on the received probe information;
The information management server according to claim 1, wherein, when it is determined that the one moving body has stopped, the meeting point determination unit determines the stopping point as the meeting point. A stop determination means for determining whether two or more of the plurality of moving bodies have stopped near the same point based on the received probe information;
The said meeting point determination means determines the said same point as the said meeting point, when it determines with the said 2 or more mobile body stopping in the vicinity of the same point, The said meeting point is characterized by the above-mentioned. Information management server described. A stop determination means for determining whether or not two or more of the plurality of moving bodies are stopped based on the received probe information;
When it is determined that the two or more moving bodies have stopped, the meeting point determination means has a smaller distance to the destination among the two or more stopping points at which the two or more moving bodies have stopped. The information management server according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a stop point of one side is determined as the meeting point. A stop determination means for determining whether or not two or more of the plurality of moving bodies are stopped based on the received probe information;
In the case where it is determined that the two or more moving bodies have stopped, the meeting point determination means determines the stopping point of the wider parking space among the two or more stopping points at which the two or more moving bodies have stopped. The information management server according to claim 1, wherein the information management server is determined as the meeting point. A stop determination means for determining whether or not two or more of the plurality of moving bodies are stopped based on the received probe information;
In the case where it is determined that the two or more moving bodies have stopped, the meeting point determination means is on an initially set route that is initially set among two or more stopping points at which the two or more moving bodies have stopped. The information management server according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a stop point having a smaller distance from the initial setting route is determined as the meeting point. When the traveling speed indicated by the received probe information exceeds a predetermined value for a time lower than a predetermined speed, the vehicle further comprises stop determination means for determining that the one moving body has stopped,
The said meeting point determination means determines the said stop point as the said meeting point, when it determines with the said one moving body having stopped, The said meeting point is any one of Claim 1-6 characterized by the above-mentioned. Information management server. The probe information includes information on the throttle opening of the moving body,
The stop determination unit determines that the moving body has stopped when the throttle opening of the moving body indicated by the received probe information exceeds a predetermined value. The information management server according to claim 1. In addition to the received probe information, the stop determination means for determining whether or not the one moving body has stopped on the road surface excluding the roadway is further provided,
The said meeting point determination means determines the stop point where the said 1 mobile body stopped as the said meeting point, when it determines with the said 1 moving body stopping on the road surface except the said roadway. Item 9. The information management server according to any one of Items 1 to 8. In addition to the received probe information, it further comprises stop determination means for determining whether the one moving body has stopped in a lane other than a traffic lane, based on a traffic information database,
In the case where it is determined that the one moving body has stopped in a lane other than the traffic jam lane, the meeting point determining means determines the stop point at which the one moving body has stopped as the collecting point. The information management server according to any one of claims 1 to 9. The stop determination means determines whether the one moving body has stopped outside a predetermined range from a traffic signal location point based on a map database in addition to the received probe information,
When it is determined that the one moving body has stopped outside the predetermined range from the location where the traffic signal is located, the meeting point determining means determines the stop point at which the one moving body has stopped as the meeting point. The information management server according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: Information for mounting on a mobile body that is used for group travel that travels while communicating among a plurality of drivers that drive a plurality of mobile bodies, and that is mounted on the mobile body and that can transmit and receive probe information on the mobile body. A communication device,
First receiving means for receiving a plurality of probe information in the plurality of moving bodies;
Based on the received probe information, a meeting point determination means for determining a stop point where one moving body of the plurality of moving bodies stops as a meeting point where the plurality of moving bodies gathers;
First transmission means for transmitting meeting point information relating to the determined meeting point to the plurality of mobile bodies;
Second transmitting means for transmitting the probe information;
Second receiving means for receiving the transmitted meeting point information;
A mobile body-mounted information communication apparatus comprising: route guidance means for performing route guidance of the mobile body based on the received meeting point information.

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