Abstract: A route search apparatus comprises a road information storage part configured to store road information including link information comprised of single link information and composite link information; and a route searcher configured to search a recommended route between two different points using the link information. The single link information includes information regarding an approach link that is a link approaching to a node at one end of a target link, an exit link that is a link exiting from a node at the other end of the target link, and a cost of the target link for entering from the approach link and exiting to the exit link. The composite link information includes information regarding an approach link that is a link approaching to a node at one end of a target link array, an exit link that is a link exiting from a node at the other end of the target link array, and a cost of the target link array for entering from the approach link and exiting to the exit link.

Abstract: A route search apparatus configured to search a route from a set place of departure to a set destination comprises network data that includes nodes and links representing a road network, an average cost value indicating an average of travel time of each of the links, and a variance value indicating a degree of variance of the travel time, and a route searcher configured to determine the route from the place of departure to the destination as a recommended route, based on the average cost value, the variance value and a weight coefficient of the variance value.

Abstract: An analyzer of the invention adequately analyzes a change in road network by using probe information generated with driving of a vehicle. This analyzer determines a traffic amount of vehicles passing through a specified section included in the road network from a plurality of the probe information accumulated over a predetermined period. The analyzer also determines a discontinuity rate, which is a rate of incidents that vehicle locations are discontinuous in the specified section, from the plurality of probe information accumulated over the predetermined period. The analyzer detects a change in the road network, based on a degree of change between traffic amounts in two different periods with respect to the specified section included in the road network and a degree of change between discontinuity rates in the two different periods. The detected change in the road network can be used for survey of the road network.

Abstract: A takeover information transmission system includes a takeover information acquisition unit that acquires takeover information for transferring a first travel route, on which a terminal device provides guidance, to an in-vehicle device as a second travel route on the basis of information pertaining to the first travel route, and a takeover information transmission unit that transmits the takeover information acquired by the takeover information acquisition unit to the in-vehicle device.

Abstract: A regulation information analysis system determines transit regulations imposed on a target road or intersection to be analyzed based on probe information sent from a plurality of vehicles. An analysis terminal determines if transit regulations are in effect or not by detecting if the probe information indicating a transition that violates a method of transition to be analyzed, such as right/left turn prohibition is present at the target road or intersection. The analysis terminal determines, based on the geometric shape and the like of the target road or intersection, if there is an avoidance factor which a driver would desire to avoid transiting the target rode or intersection. The quantity of the probe information used for determining the presence or absence of the transit regulations is increased if the avoidance factor is found, whereby the determination accuracy is increased while the overall quantity of the probe information is suppressed.

Abstract: A map data storage device, a map data updating method, and a computer program that can shorten the time required for a map data updating process. In the case where map data stored in a navigation-side local DB of a navigation apparatus are to be updated, the navigation apparatus updates the map data stored in the navigation-side local DB on the basis of map updating data received from a map distribution center, and prepares a data reference index that associates a PID (universal identification information) included in the map data with a record number (internal identification information) included in the map data on the basis of the updated map data. After that, in the case where an application is executed by the navigation apparatus, the prepared data reference index is referenced to access the map data stored in the navigation-side local DB.

Abstract: An analyzer of the invention adequately analyzes a change in road network by using probe information generated with driving of a vehicle. This analyzer determines a traffic amount of vehicles passing through a specified section included in the road network from a plurality of the probe information accumulated over a predetermined period. The analyzer also determines a discontinuity rate, which is a rate of incidents that vehicle locations are discontinuous in the specified section, from the plurality of probe information accumulated over the predetermined period. The analyzer detects a change in the road network, based on a degree of change between traffic amounts in two different periods with respect to the specified section included in the road network and a degree of change between discontinuity rates in the two different periods. The detected change in the road network can be used for survey of the road network.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and programs store feature information relating to features existing on a road and on the periphery of the road, each piece of feature information being associated with a unique identification symbol, each piece of feature information including disposition information expressing a spatial disposition of each feature independently of the road network, form information expressing a form of each feature, accuracy information expressing an accuracy of the information, and acquisition timing information expressing an acquisition timing of the information. The systems, methods, and programs (1) output the feature information stored in the feature database and input map information constituting the map database, the map information being generated based on the output feature information, or (2) generate map information constituting the map database on the basis of the feature information stored in the feature database.

Abstract: A method of axially aligning a charged particle beam involves an image data acquisition step and a calculation step. The image data acquisition step consists of obtaining first to third sets of image data by scanning a shielding member placed in the path of the beam with the beam while varying conditions of the excitation currents through first and second alignment coils, respectively. The calculation step consists of calculating the values of the excitation currents through the first and second alignment coils, respectively, for axial alignment of the beam, based on the obtained first to third sets of image data.

Abstract: A road network analysis system detects major changes in a road network based on probe information from a plurality of vehicles. The probe information is tabulated and the change in the amount of traffic is calculated for each road with a predetermined time interval. If a remarkable change in the amount of traffic is detected for a road before and after a specific baseline day, it is determined that a major change in the road network affecting the traffic has occurred in the vicinity of the road, and the road is specified as a change-related road. A path search may be performed between the endpoints of a plurality of change-related roads, and the searched paths that have the most overlap with the searched paths are selected so as to identify the change-related roads which are commonly affected by the same cause and the endpoints thereof.

Abstract: A regulation information analysis system determines transit regulations imposed on a target road or intersection to be analyzed based on probe information sent from a plurality of vehicles. An analysis terminal determines if transit regulations are in effect or not by detecting if the probe information indicating a transition that violates a method of transition to be analyzed, such as right/left turn prohibition is present at the target road or intersection. The analysis terminal determines, based on the geometric shape and the like of the target road or intersection, if there is an avoidance factor which a driver would desire to avoid transiting the target rode or intersection. The quantity of the probe information used for determining the presence or absence of the transit regulations is increased if the avoidance factor is found, whereby the determination accuracy is increased while the overall quantity of the probe information is suppressed.

Abstract: A road network analysis system detects major changes in a road network based on probe information from a plurality of vehicles. The probe information is tabulated and the change in the amount of traffic is calculated for each road with a predetermined time interval. If a remarkable change in the amount of traffic is detected for a road before and after a specific baseline day, it is determined that a major change in the road network affecting the traffic has occurred in the vicinity of the road, and the road is specified as a change-related road. A path search may be performed between the endpoints of a plurality of change-related roads, and the searched paths that have the most overlap with the searched paths are selected so as to identify the change-related roads which are commonly affected by the same cause and the endpoints thereof.

Abstract: A driving support device includes: a position detector; a traveling direction detector; a map data memory; a map matching element for matching a current position of a vehicle on a road of map data; a traveling segment estimation element for estimating a current segment of the vehicle in the parking place road when a matched road is the parking place road; a main road search element for determining whether a segment of a main road of an express way is disposed in a predetermined search distance from an estimated current segment; and a reverse run determination element for determining whether the vehicle travels reversely when the main road search element determines that the segment of the main road is disposed in the predetermined search distance from the estimated current segment.

Abstract: A method of axially aligning a charged particle beam involves an image data acquisition step and a calculation step. The image data acquisition step consists of obtaining first to third sets of image data by scanning a shielding member placed in the path of the beam with the beam while varying conditions of the excitation currents through first and second alignment coils, respectively. The calculation step consists of calculating the values of the excitation currents through the first and second alignment coils, respectively, for axial alignment of the beam, based on the obtained first to third sets of image data.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and programs capture an image of a periphery of a vehicle. The systems, methods, and programs, store predetermined patterns representing conditions of road markings formed on a road surface, detect a road marking on the basis of the captured image, and compare the detected road marking to the predetermined patterns. If the detected road marking matches one of the predetermined patterns, the systems, methods, and programs execute a predetermined action associated with the matching predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A method of making axial alignment of a charged particle beam starts with obtaining at least first through sixth image data while controlling the focal position of the beam on a sample in the direction of incidence, the excitation current in a first alignment coil, and the excitation current in a second alignment coil. Then, values of the excitation currents in the first and second alignment coils for the axial alignment of the beam are calculated from the at least first through sixth image data.

Abstract: A road map data structure includes road network data Rn, representing roads by a connection relation of a plurality of links L, in a hierarchical structure of a plurality of levels, in which, as a link ID for each link L at a lowest level, consecutive serial IDs, according to a connection order of the links within a link line ML formed of a plurality of the consecutive links having a common attribute, are assigned to first links L1 which have a corresponding link existing at a higher level, and a permanent ID, irrelevant with the connection order of the links, is assigned to a second link L2 which does not have a corresponding link existing at a higher level.

Abstract: An accuracy error for measuring the position of an own vehicle is calculated based on the information of an execution history of map matching and the information of an update history of a map database. In addition, a predetermined map is referred to based on the calculated accuracy error, and an accuracy error level for performing positioning is specified from among plural stepwise levels. Then, the control level of assist control executed according to the position of the own vehicle is changed so as to correspond to the specified accuracy error level.

Abstract: A method of making axial alignment of a charged particle beam starts with obtaining at least first through sixth image data while controlling the focal position of the beam on a sample in the direction of incidence, the excitation current in a first alignment coil, and the excitation current in a second alignment coil. Then, values of the excitation currents in the first and second alignment coils for the axial alignment of the beam are calculated from the at least first through sixth image data.

Abstract: Based on positioning accuracy of an own vehicle required for appropriately carrying out assistance control carried out according to a position of the own vehicle, an execution condition for map matching correcting the position of the own vehicle is set. Specifically, setting is made in such a manner that, as the positioning accuracy is higher and an error thereof is smaller, an execution frequency of map matching becomes higher. Then, map matching is carried out according to the thus-set execution condition.