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: 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: Facility output systems, methods, and programs specify a purpose for which a user utilizes a facility, based on information input by the user and a facility type that enables the specified purpose to be achieved, based on stored purpose information. The stored purpose information includes facility type and the purpose that is achievable by using the facility type. The systems, methods, and programs specify a common facility type that is common to a facility type specified for a first purpose; and one of a facility type specified for a second purpose that is different from the first purpose and a facility type specified differently from the specified facility type that enables the purpose to be achieved. The systems, methods, and programs specify the facility corresponding to the specified common facility type based on stored facility information including the specified facility type and information for specifying the facility.

Abstract: A wireless communication device mounted on a mobile object, the mobile object including: a mobile communication unit that is able to connect to a mobile communication network; and a wireless network connection unit that provides a wireless network connection service based on the mobile communication network connected by the mobile communication unit, the wireless communication device includes: a satellite positioning unit configured to acquire position information on the wireless communication device based on a satellite positioning system; and a control unit configured to control a connection state of the wireless network connection service based on the position information acquired by the satellite positioning unit.

Abstract: A travel time data processor extracts a link that is present in the neighborhood of a target link, as a reference link. The travel time data processor selects an identical time zone of the reference link that is identical with the time zone of the target link in which the number of sample data is less than a reference number, and searches for another time zone having similar statistical data to that of the selected time zone. The travel time data processor adds the number of sample data in a time zone of the target link corresponding to the searched another time zone of the reference link to the number of sample data in the time zone of the target link that is equal to or less than the reference number, and generates statistical data from the summed-up sample data.

Abstract: Support point management systems, methods, and programs acquire a support point registered as a subject of deceleration support and exclude the support point as the subject of deceleration support in a case a vehicle travels on a new road after having traveled through the support point without deceleration at the support point.

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 wireless communication device mounted on a mobile object, the mobile object including: a mobile communication unit that is able to connect to a mobile communication network; and a wireless network connection unit that provides a wireless network connection service based on the mobile communication network connected by the mobile communication unit, the wireless communication device includes: a satellite positioning unit configured to acquire position information on the wireless communication device based on a satellite positioning system; and a control unit configured to control a connection state of the wireless network connection service based on the position information acquired by the satellite positioning unit.

Abstract: There is provided a method of collecting probe information generated during travel of a vehicle, comprising: (a) receiving probe information including travel time information of a reference area, from a vehicle traveling a reference area that includes at least one of an intersection area that is an area from an approach to an intersection to an exit from the intersection and a road area that connects with the intersection area and is an area from the exit of the intersection to an approach of another intersection adjacent to the intersection in an exit direction; and (b) storing the received probe information.

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: There are provided a deceleration end location storage system that can appropriately store a deceleration end location at which a vehicle ends deceleration in decelerating action even for a road on which the content of the decelerating action tends to vary because of a disturbance such as a road with a large amount of traffic, and a drive assist system, a drive assist method, and a computer program that can provide appropriate drive assistance for a vehicle on the basis of stored deceleration end locations. In the case where a vehicle performs decelerating action, a deceleration end location at which the vehicle ends deceleration in the decelerating action is specified. A variation range that matches the road type of a road on which the deceleration end location is provided is set.

Abstract: There is provided a method of collecting probe information generated during travel of a vehicle, comprising: (a) receiving probe information including travel time information of a reference area, from a vehicle traveling a reference area that includes at least one of an intersection area that is an area from an approach to an intersection to an exit from the intersection and a road area that connects with the intersection area and is an area from the exit of the intersection to an approach of another intersection adjacent to the intersection in an exit direction; and (b) storing the received probe information.

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: A wireless communication device mounted on a mobile object, the mobile object including: a mobile communication unit that is able to connect to a mobile communication network; and a wireless network connection unit that provides a wireless network connection service based on the mobile communication network connected by the mobile communication unit, the wireless communication device includes: a satellite positioning unit configured to acquire position information on the wireless communication device based on a satellite positioning system; and a control unit configured to control a connection state of the wireless network connection service based on the position information acquired by the satellite positioning unit.

Abstract: A travel information recording system for associating travel information on a vehicle obtained immediately after travel through a branch location with an appropriate road segment includes: travel segment specifying unit for specifying a travel segment that is a road segment in which a vehicle is traveling; and travel information recorder for recording travel information on the vehicle obtained during travel in the travel segment in association with the travel segment in a storage medium. In the case where there occurs a segment variation in which the travel segment is varied from one of several road segments branched off from a branch location, the travel information recorder acquires the travel information to be recorded in association with a post-variation segment, which is the travel segment after the segment variation, on the basis of the travel information obtained before the segment variation.

Abstract: Section acquisition systems, methods, and programs acquire a scheduled travel route of a vehicle driven by at least one of an internal combustion engine or a motor. The systems, methods, and programs divide the scheduled travel route that is in a range of a predetermined distance from a current location into a plurality of sections such that a difference in traffic congestion degree is distinguished, and divide the scheduled travel route that is not in the range of the predetermined distance from the current location into a plurality of sections such that a difference in travel load is distinguished.

Abstract: Facility output systems, methods, and programs specify a purpose for which a user utilizes a facility, based on information input by the user and a facility type that enables the specified purpose to be achieved, based on stored purpose information. The stored purpose information includes facility type and the purpose that is achievable by using the facility type. The systems, methods, and programs specify a common facility type that is common to a facility type specified for a first purpose; and one of a facility type specified for a second purpose that is different from the first purpose and a facility type specified differently from the specified facility type that enables the purpose to be achieved. The systems, methods, and programs specify the facility corresponding to the specified common facility type based on stored facility information including the specified facility type and information for specifying the facility.

Abstract: A travel assist system, a travel assist method, and a computer program that prevent frequent corrections of a travel plan due to variations in congestion information are provided. Congestion information is acquired from a VICS center. The current state of a vehicle is acquired. It is determined whether or not the congestion status of an expected travel route for the vehicle has been varied from the congestion information using a criterion based on the state of the vehicle. In the case where it is determined that the congestion status of the expected travel route has been varied, the travel plan 48 is corrected using the congestion status after the variation.

Abstract: A travel time data processor extracts a link that is present in the neighborhood of a target link, as a reference link. The travel time data processor selects an identical time zone of the reference link that is identical with the time zone of the target link in which the number of sample data is less than a reference number, and searches for another time zone having similar statistical data to that of the selected time zone. The travel time data processor adds the number of sample data in a time zone of the target link corresponding to the searched another time zone of the reference link to the number of sample data in the time zone of the target link that is equal to or less than the reference number, and generates statistical data from the summed-up sample data.

Abstract: There is provided a method of collecting probe information generated during travel of a vehicle, comprising: (a) receiving probe information including travel time information of a reference area, from a vehicle traveling a reference area that includes at least one of an intersection area that is an area from an approach to an intersection to an exit from the intersection and a road area that connects with the intersection area and is an area from the exit of the intersection to an approach of another intersection adjacent to the intersection in an exit direction; and (b) storing the received probe information.