Patent Publication Number: US-2021182910-A1

Title: Control device, system, non-transitory storage medium, and control method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-224944 filed on Dec. 12, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety including the specification, drawings and abstract. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to control devices, systems, non-transitory storage media, and control methods. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-342426 (JP 2002-342426 A) describes a technique that improves efficiency in dispatching a taxi etc. via communication means. 
     Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-8769 (JP 2019-8769 A) describes a technique of acquiring desired pickup or drop-off location information of a plurality of users who share a ride, determining a plurality of routes based on the desired pickup or drop-off location information, and applying a gain or cost to the users depending on which route is selected by each user. 
     SUMMARY 
     Neither of the techniques described in JP 2002-342426 A and JP 2019-8769 A discloses guiding a user to a point associated with an advertisement. 
     The present disclosure provides a technique of guiding a user to a point associated with an advertisement. 
     A first aspect of the present disclosure is a control device. The control device includes a controller. The controller is configured to determine, when advertisement information received via a first device is selected by a user riding in a vehicle, a second route via a point associated with the advertisement information as a route that is newly set in a second device. The second device is a device that is used for navigation in the vehicle, and the second route is a route to a destination that is the same as a destination of a first route set in the second device. 
     In the first aspect, the advertisement information may include an identifier of at least one point, and the controller may be configured to specify a point corresponding to the identifier included in the advertisement information as the point associated with the advertisement information. 
     In the first aspect, the advertisement information may include an identifier of at least one facility, and the controller may be configured to specify a point where the facility corresponding to the identifier included in the advertisement information is located as the point associated with the advertisement information. 
     In the first aspect, the advertisement information may include an identifier of at least one product, and the controller may be configured to specify a point where the product corresponding to the identifier included in the advertisement information is sold as the point associated with the advertisement information. 
     In the first aspect, the controller may be configured to notify, before determining the second route as the route that is newly set in the second device, the user of first travel time and second travel time, or a difference between the first travel time and the second travel time. The first travel time is required to reach the destination for the first route. The second travel time is required to reach the destination for the second route. 
     In the first aspect, the controller may be configured to notify, before determining the second route as the route that is newly set in the second device, the user of first travel cost and second travel cost, or a difference between the first travel cost and the second travel cost. The first travel cost is required to reach the destination for the first route. The second travel cost is required to reach the destination for the second route. 
     In the first aspect, the control device may be configured to also function as the first device. 
     In the first aspect, the control device may further include a transmitter configured to communicate with the first device, and the controller may be configured to distribute the advertisement information to the first device via the transmitter. 
     In the first aspect, the transmitter may be configured to communicate with a third device that is used in at least one facility, and the controller may be configured to receive the advertisement information from the third device via the transmitter and may be configured to distribute the received advertisement information to the first device. 
     In the first aspect, the control device may be configured to also function as the second device. 
     In the first aspect, the control device may further include a transmitter configured to communicate with the second device, and the controller may be configured to set the determined second route in the second device via the transmitter. 
     In the first aspect, the transmitter may be configured to communicate with a third device that is used in at least one facility, and the controller may be configured to receive the advertisement information from the third device via the transmitter. 
     In the first aspect, the advertisement information may be distributed to the first device via a wireless LAN in the vehicle. 
     A second aspect of the present disclosure is a system including a control device and a first device. The control device includes a controller. The controller is configured to determine, when advertisement information received via the first device is selected by a user riding in a vehicle, a second route via a point associated with the advertisement information as a route that is newly set in a second device. The second device is a device that is used for navigation in the vehicle, and the second route is a route to a destination that is the same as a destination of a first route set in the second device. 
     In the second aspect, the system may further include the second device. 
     A third aspect of the present disclosure is a non-transitory storage medium storing instructions that are executable by one or more processors and that cause the one or more processors to perform functions. The function includes: causing advertisement information received via a first device to be selected by a user riding in a vehicle; and determining a second route via a point associated with the advertisement information as a route that is newly set in a second device. The second device is a device that is used for navigation in the vehicle, and the second route is a route to a destination that is the same as a destination of a first route set in the second device. 
     In the third aspect, the one or more processors may be included in a control device and the first device. 
     In the third aspect, the one or more processors may be included in a control device and the second device. 
     In the third aspect, the advertisement information may be distributed to the first device via a wireless LAN in the vehicle. 
     A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is a control method. The control method includes: causing advertisement information received via a first device to be selected by a user riding in a vehicle; and determining a second route via a point associated with the advertisement information as a route that is newly set in a second device, the second device being a device that is used for navigation in the vehicle, and the second route being a route to a destination that is the same as a destination of a first route set in the second device. 
     According to the first, second, third, and fourth aspects of the present disclosure, the user can be guided to the point associated with the advertisement. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like signs denote like elements, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates the configuration of a system according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a control device according to the embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a first device according to the embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a second device according to the embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the operation of a system according to the embodiment; and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an example of a screen of a terminal according to the embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     An embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     The same or corresponding portions are denoted with the same signs throughout the drawings. In the description of the embodiment, description of the same or corresponding portions will be omitted or simplified as appropriate. 
     The configuration of a system  11  according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
     The system  11  according to the present embodiment includes at least one server  12 , at least one terminal  13 , and at least one device  14 . 
     The terminal  13  can communicate with the server  12  via a network  15  such as a wireless LAN, a mobile network, and the Internet. The terminal  13  may be able to communicate with the device  14  via the network  15 . “LAN” stands for local area network. 
     The server  12  can communicate not only with the terminal  13  but also with the device  14  via the network  15 . 
     The device  14  is connected wired or wireless to a vehicle  17  or is built-in to the vehicle  17 . 
     In the present embodiment, the vehicle  17  is a taxi. However, the vehicle  17  may be an automobile other than a taxi, such as an on-demand bus, as long as it can transport a user  16 . The vehicle  17  is any type of automobile such as a gasoline vehicle, a diesel vehicle, an HV, a PHV, an EV, or an FCV. “HV” stands for hybrid vehicle. “PHV” stands for plug-in hybrid vehicle. “EV” stands for electric vehicle. “FCV” stands for fuel cell vehicle. In the present embodiment, the vehicle  17  is driven by a driver. However, driving of the vehicle  17  may be automated at a desired level. For example, the level of driving automation is one of levels  1  to  5  defined by SAE. “SAE” stands for the Society of Automotive Engineers. The vehicle  17  may be a MaaS-dedicated vehicle. “MaaS” stands for Mobility as a Service. 
     An overview of the present embodiment will be provided with reference to  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 . 
     In the system  11  shown in  FIG. 1 , when the user  16  riding in the vehicle  17  receives advertisement information  50  via a first device  30  configured as the terminal  13  and selects the advertisement information  50 , a control device  20  configured as the server  12  determines a second route as a route that is newly set in a second device  40  configured as the device  14 . The second device  40  is a device that is used for navigation in the vehicle  17 , and the second route is a route to the same destination as that of a first route set in the second device  40  but via a point associated with the advertisement information  50 . 
     The “advertisement information  50 ” refers to, for example, text, a still image, or a video that is delivered (distributed) to advertise at least one point, at least one facility, or at least one product. The advertisement information  50  may include an “identifier” that specifies at least one point, at least one facility, or at least one product. 
     The expression “select the advertisement information  50 ” means that the user  16  performs some sort of operation on the advertisement information  50  displayed on the terminal  13 . Examples of such an operation include an operation of the user  16  tapping a banner of the advertisement information  50  displayed on the terminal  13  and an operation of the user  16  clicking an URL or text displayed as the advertisement information  50 . “URL” stands for uniform resource locator. 
     According to the present embodiment, the user  16  is guided to a point associated with an advertisement. 
     The control device  20  acquires the advertisement information  50  selected by the user  16  and refers to the acquired advertisement information  50  to calculate the second route. The control device  20  may acquire only the identifier included in the advertisement information  50  instead of acquiring the advertisement information  50  as it is. The control device  20  refers to the identifier included in the advertisement information  50 . When the identifier is an identifier of a point, the control device  20  specifies the point as a point associated with the identifier. When the identifier is an identifier of a facility, the control device  20  specifies a point where the facility is located as a point associated with the identifier. When the identifier is an identifier of a product, the control device  20  specifies a point where the product is sold as a point associated with the identifier. The control device  20  calculates a route to the destination via the specified point as the second route, and determines the calculated second route as a route that is newly set in the device  14 . 
     Before determining the calculated second route as a route that is newly set in the device  14 , the control device  20  may calculate travel time required to reach the destination for the first route and travel time required to reach the destination for the second route and notify the user  16  of the calculated travel time for the first route and the calculated travel time for the second route. Alternatively, before determining the calculated second route as a route that is newly set in the device  14 , the control device  20  may calculate travel cost required to reach the destination for the first route and travel cost required to reach the destination for the second route and notify the user  16  of the calculated travel cost for the first route and the calculated travel cost for the second route. The control device  20  may notify the user  16  of the difference in travel time between the first and second routes or the difference in travel cost between the first and second routes. 
     In the present embodiment, the advertisement information  50  is delivered from the control device  20  to the first device  30 . The advertisement information  50  may be delivered from the second device  40 , instead of from the control device  20 , to the first device  30 . Alternatively, the advertisement information  50  may be delivered from a server of an advertiser or advertising agency under contract with a taxi company that owns the vehicle  17  the user  16  is riding in, instead of from the control device  20 , to the first device  30 . Alternatively, the advertisement information  50  may be delivered from a third device that is used in at least one facility to the first device  30 . Specifically, the advertisement information  50  may be delivered from a device or terminal that is used in a store located on or near the second route to the first device  30 . 
     The advertisement information  50  is delivered to the first device  30  via a wireless LAN in the vehicle  17  the user  16  is riding in. 
     The configuration of the control device  20  according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
     In the present embodiment, the control device  20  is configured as the server  12 . That is, the control device  20  is included in the system  11  according to the present embodiment as the server  12 . The server  12  is, for example, a server that belongs to a cloud computing system or other computing system. 
     The control device  20  includes a controller  21 , a storage unit  22 , a transmitter  23 , an input unit  25 , and an output unit  26 . 
     The controller  21  includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or a dedicated processor that specializes in specific processing. “CPU” stands for central processing unit. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA or an ASIC. “FPGA” stands for field-programmable gate array. “ASIC” stands for application specific integrated circuit. The controller  21  performs processing related to the operation of the control device  20  while controlling each unit of the control device  20 . 
     The storage unit  22  includes one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two types of these memories. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM or a ROM. “RAM” stands for random access memory. “ROM” stands for read only memory. The RAM is, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM. “SRAM” stands for static random access memory. “DRAM” stands for dynamic random access memory. The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM. “EEPROM” stands for electrically erasable programmable read only memory. The storage unit  22  functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit  22  stores data to be used for the operation of the control device  20  and data obtained by the operation of the control device  20 . 
     The transmitter  23  includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interface is, for example, a LAN interface. The transmitter  23  receives data to be used for the operation of the control device  20  and sends data obtained by the operation of the control device  20 . 
     The input unit  25  includes one or more input interfaces. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrated with a display, or a microphone. The input unit  25  receives an operation of entering data to be used for the operation of the control device  20 . 
     The output unit  26  includes one or more output interfaces. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. “LCD” stands for liquid crystal display. “EL” stands for electroluminescence. The output unit  26  outputs data obtained by the operation of the control device  20 . 
     Functions of the control device  20  are implemented by executing a control program according to the present embodiment by the processor included in the controller  21 . That is, the functions of the control device  20  are implemented by software. The control program is a program for causing a computer to perform steps included in the operation of the control device  20  such that the computer implements functions corresponding to the steps. That is, the control program is a program for causing the computer to function as the control device  20 . 
     The program can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium is, for example, a magnetic recording device, an optical disc, a magnetooptical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. The program is distributed by, for example, selling, transferring, or lending a portable recording medium, such as a DVD or a CD-ROM, having the program recorded thereon. “DVD” stands for digital versatile disc. “CD-ROM” stands for compact disc read only memory. The program may be stored in the storage of a server and be distributed by transferring the program from the server to other computers. The program may be provided as a program product. 
     For example, the computer first stores the program recorded on the portable recording medium or the program transferred from the server in a main storage device. The computer then reads the program stored in the main storage device by a processor and performs processing according to the read program by the processor. The computer may read the program directly from the portable recording medium and perform the processing according to the program. The computer may perform the processing according to the received program every time the program is transferred from the server to the computer. The program may not be transferred from the server to the computer and the computer may perform the processing using what is called an ASP service that allows the computer to implement functions by merely sending execution instructions and acquiring results. “ASP” stands for application service provider. The term “program” includes information that is equivalent to the program and that is provided for processing by an electronic computer. For example, data that is not direct commands for a computer but has properties that define processing of the computer falls under the “information equivalent to the program.” 
     A part or all of the functions of the control device  20  may be implemented by the dedicated circuit included in the controller  21 . That is, a part or all of the functions of the control device  20  may be implemented by hardware. 
     The configuration of the first device  30  according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
     In the present embodiment, the first device  30  is configured as the terminal  13 . That is, the first device  30  is included in the system  11  according to the present embodiment as the terminal  13 . The first device  30  is, for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet, or a PC. “PC” stands for personal computer. 
     The first device  30  includes a controller  31 , a storage unit  32 , a transmitter  33 , a positioning unit  34 , an input unit  35 , and an output unit  36 . 
     The controller  31  includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or a dedicated processor that specializes in specific processing. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA or an ASIC. The controller  31  performs information processing related to the operation of the first device  30  while controlling each unit of the first device  30 . 
     The storage unit  32  includes one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two types of these memories. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM or a ROM. The RAM is, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM. The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM. The storage unit  32  functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit  32  stores information to be used for the operation of the first device  30  and information obtained by the operation of the first device  30 . 
     The transmitter  33  includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interface is, for example, an interface according to a mobile communication standard such as LTE, 4G, or 5G, a LAN interface, or an interface for short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). “LTE” stands for Long Term Evolution. “4G” stands for 4th generation. “5G” stands for 5th generation. The transmitter  33  receives information to be used for the operation of the first device  30  and sends information obtained by the operation of the first device  30 . 
     The positioning unit  34  includes one or more GNSS receivers. “GNSS” stands for global navigation satellite system. The GNSS includes, for example, at least one of GPS, QZSS, GLONASS, and Galileo. “GPS” stands for Global Positioning System. “QZSS” stands for Quasi-Zenith Satellite System. QZSS satellites are called quasi-zenith satellites. “GLONASS” stands for Global Navigation Satellite System. The positioning unit  34  acquires location information of the first device  30  as location information of the user  16 . 
     The input unit  35  includes one or more input interfaces. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrated with a display, a microphone, a camera, or an NFC tag. “NFC” stands for near-field communication. The input unit  35  receives an operation of entering data to be used for the operation of the first device  30 . 
     The output unit  36  includes one or more output interfaces. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. The output unit  36  outputs data obtained by the operation of the first device  30 . 
     Functions of the first device  30  are implemented by executing a communication program according to the present embodiment by the processor included in the controller  31 . That is, the functions of the first device  30  are implemented by software. The communication program is a program for causing a computer to perform steps included in the operation of the first device  30  such that the computer implements functions corresponding to the steps. That is, the communication program is a program for causing the computer to function as the first device  30 . 
     A part or all of the functions of the first device  30  may be implemented by the dedicated circuit included in the controller  31 . That is, a part or all of the functions of the first device  30  may be implemented by hardware. 
     The configuration of the second device  40  according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
     In the present embodiment, the second device  40  is configured as the device  14 . The second device  40  is, for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet, a PC, or a car navigation system. 
     The second device  40  includes a controller  41 , a storage unit  42 , a transmitter  43 , a positioning unit  44 , an input unit  45 , and an output unit  46 . 
     The controller  41  includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or a dedicated processor that specializes in specific processing. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA or an ASIC. The controller  41  performs processing related to the operation of the second device  40  while controlling each unit of the second device  40 . 
     The storage unit  42  includes one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two types of these memories. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM or a ROM. The RAM is, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM. The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM. The storage unit  42  functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit  42  stores data to be used for the operation of the second device  40  and data obtained by the operation of the second device  40 . 
     The transmitter  43  includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interface is, for example, an interface according to a mobile communication standard such as LTE, 4G, or 5G or an interface for short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The transmitter  43  receives data to be used for the operation of the second device  40  and sends data obtained by the operation of the second device  40 . 
     The positioning unit  44  includes one or more GNSS receivers. The GNSS includes, for example, at least one of GPS, QZSS, GLONASS, and Galileo. The positioning unit  44  acquires location information of the vehicle  17 . 
     The input unit  45  includes one or more input interfaces. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrated with a display, or a microphone. The input unit  45  receives an operation of entering data to be used for the operation of the second device  40 . 
     The output unit  46  includes one or more output interfaces. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. The output unit  46  outputs data obtained by the operation of the second device  40 . 
     Functions of the second device  40  are implemented by executing a device program according to the present embodiment by the processor included in the controller  41 . That is, the functions of the second device  40  are implemented by software. The device program is a program for causing a computer to perform steps included in the operation of the second device  40  such that the computer implements functions corresponding to the steps. That is, the device program is a program for causing the computer to function as the second device  40 . 
     A part or all of the functions of the second device  40  may be implemented by the dedicated circuit included in the controller  41 . That is, a part or all of the functions of the second device  40  may be implemented by hardware. 
     The operation of the system  11  according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 5 . This operation corresponds to a control method according to the present embodiment.  FIG. 6  illustrates an example of a screen of the terminal  13 . 
     For example, it is herein assumed that the advertisement information  50  has been delivered to the terminal  13  of the user  16  riding in a taxi that is the vehicle  17 , and a first route to a destination has been set in the device  14  that is used for navigation in the taxi the user  16  is riding, which is the vehicle  17 . In the present embodiment, the first route to the destination is set in the device  14  when the user  16  gets in the vehicle  17  or when the user  16  arranges the vehicle  17  for pickup. 
     In step S 110 , the controller  21  of the server  12  delivers the advertisement information  50  to the terminal  13 . The controller  21  may communicate with the third device that is used in at least one facility via the transmitter  23 , receive the advertisement information  50  from the third device, and deliver the received advertisement information  50  to the terminal  13 . 
     In step S 111 , the user  16  receives the advertisement information  50  via the transmitter  33  of the terminal  13 . Specifically, the controller  31  of the terminal  13  provides the delivered advertisement information  50  to the user  16 . The advertisement information  50  is delivered as text, a still image, or a video and is displayed on the screen of the terminal  13 . 
     In this example, the advertisement information  50  is, for example, the following text message including an URL as shown in  FIG. 6 , “t-cafe is now open! Get a free latte with lunch purchase. Come check us out or visit our website at https://www.tcafe.co.jp/sample for more information,” and is displayed as a banner on the screen of the terminal  13  as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     In the present embodiment, the terminal  13  can connect to a wireless LAN in the vehicle  17  for free while the user  16  is riding in the vehicle  17 . The advertisement information  50  is delivered only while the terminal  13  is connected to the wireless LAN in the vehicle  17 . The advertisement information  50  may also be delivered while the terminal  13  is connected to a mobile network. In this case, however, the user  16  may not feel comfortable receiving the advertisement information  50  or using the vehicle  17  as the user  16  is charged for data usage. According to the present embodiment, the advertisement information  50  is delivered only while the terminal  13  is connected to the wireless LAN. The user  16  is therefore less likely to feel uncomfortable receiving the advertisement information  50  or using the vehicle  17 . 
     In step S 112 , the user  16  selects the advertisement information  50 . Specifically, the user  16  selects the displayed advertisement information  50  via the input unit  35  of the terminal  13 . For example, the user  16  selects the advertisement information  50  by tapping the screen of the terminal  13 . When the user  16  selects the advertisement information  50 , the controller  31  of the terminal  13  receives the selection of the advertisement information  50  via the input unit  35 . The controller  31  stores the selected advertisement information  50  in the storage unit  32  and sends the selected advertisement information  50  to the server  12  via the transmitter  33 . The server  12  may only acquire the identifier included in the advertisement information  50 , instead of acquiring the advertisement information  50  as it is. As described above, the identifier is, for example, an identifier of at least one point, at least one facility, or at least one product. 
     In step S 113 , the controller  21  of the server  12  calculates a second route based on the received advertisement information  50 . The second route is a route to the same destination as that of the first route set in the device  14  that is used for navigation in the vehicle  17  but via a point associated with the advertisement information  50 . Specifically, the controller  21  of the server  12  specifies, based on the identifier included in the advertisement information  50  sent in step S 112 , the point associated with the advertisement information  50  and calculates a route to the same destination as that of the first route but via the point as the second route. For example, in the case where the received advertisement information  50  includes an identifier of a product, a point where the product is sold is associated with the identifier. The controller  21  of the server  12  can therefore specify the point where the product is sold as the point associated with the advertisement information  50  by obtaining the identifier of the product from the advertisement information  50 . For example, an identifier and a point may be associated in advance with each other and stored in advance in the storage unit  22  of the server  12 , and the controller  21  may specify the point by referring to the storage unit  22 . 
     In this example, the advertisement information  50  includes “t-cafe,” which is a name of a shop as a facility, as an identifier, and the storage unit  22  of the server  12  has stored therein a point associated in advance with the identifier. Accordingly, the controller  21  of the server  12  can specify a point where the facility corresponding to the identifier is located as a point associated with the advertisement information  50  by obtaining the identifier included in the advertisement information  50  and referring to the storage unit  22 . 
     In step S 114 , the controller  21  of the server  12  determines the calculated second route as a route that is newly set in the device  14 . Specifically, the controller  21  of the server  12  stores the second route calculated in step S 113  in the storage unit  22  and sends data about the second route to the device  14  via the transmitter  23 . 
     In step S 115 , the controller  41  of the device  14  receives via the transmitter  43  the data about the second route sent in step S 114 . The controller  41  stores the received data about the second route in the storage unit  42 . The controller  41  performs control for providing route guidance for the second route to the driver of the vehicle  17  based on the data about the second route stored in the storage unit  42 . According to this control, the output unit  46  of the device  14  displays on the screen the route guidance for the second route to the destination via the point associated with the advertisement information  50  selected by the user  16  and thus provides the route guidance for the second route to the driver of the vehicle  17 . 
     In this example, the controller  41  of the device  14  displays the second route received from the server  12  on the screen of a car navigation application running on the device  14 . 
     According to the present embodiment, the user can be guided to a point associated with an advertisement. Moreover, the user  16  riding in the vehicle  17  can change the route to the destination with improved convenience. 
     In a modification of the embodiment, before determining the second route as a route that is newly set in the device  14 , the controller  21  of the server  12  may compare the first and second routes and provide to the user  16  the travel time or cost required to reach the destination for the first route and the travel time or cost required to reach the destination for the second route or at least one of the difference in travel time between the first and second routes and the difference in travel cost between the first and second routes. Specifically, after calculating the second route in step S 113  and before determining the calculated second route as a route that is newly set in the device  14  in step S 114 , the controller  21  of the server  12  may notify the user  16  of the travel time or cost required to reach the destination for the first route and the travel time or cost required to reach the destination for the second route or may notify the user  16  of the difference in travel time between the first and second routes or the difference in travel cost between the first and second routes. For example, the controller  21  of the server  12  may send to the terminal  13  of the user  16  an instant message indicating the travel time or cost required to reach the destination for the first route and the travel time or cost required to reach the destination for the second route or at least one of the difference in travel time between the first and second routes and the difference in travel cost between the first and second routes and may display this instant message on the terminal  13  of the user  16 . 
     According to this modification, the user  16  can compare the first and second routes and choose between the first and second routes. The user  16  can also choose not to change the route depending on the travel time or cost. 
     In a modification of the embodiment, when the vehicle  17  is traveling on the first route, the controller  21  of the server  12  may obtain information indicating the current location of the vehicle  17  and set the starting point of the second route to a point different from the starting point of the first route. Specifically, when the user  16  selects the advertisement information  50  in step S 112 , the selected advertisement information  50  is sent not only to the server  12  but also to the controller  41  of the device  14  via the transmitter  33  of the terminal  13 . When the controller  41  receives the advertisement information  50  via the transmitter  43 , the controller  41  acquires location information indicating the current location of the vehicle  17  via the positioning unit  44  and stores the acquired location information in the storage unit  42 . The controller  41  sends the location information stored in the storage unit  42  to the server  12  via the transmitter  43 . The controller  21  of the server  12  receives the location information from the controller  41  via the transmitter  23 . The controller  21  then calculates as the second route a route from a point corresponding to the received location information to the same destination as that of the first route that has already been set in the device  14  via a point acquired based on the advertisement information  50  selected by the user  16 . The controller  21  stores the calculated second route in the storage unit  42  and notifies the device  14  of the stored second route. 
     According to this modification, the route can be changed even while the vehicle  17  is traveling. Convenience is thus improved. 
     In a modification of the embodiment, the control device  20  may be configured as the terminal  13 . In this case, the control device  20  also functions as the first device  30 . Specifically, the controller  31 , the storage unit  32 , the transmitter  33 , the input unit  35 , and the output unit  36  of the first device  30  perform operations similar to those of the controller  21 , the storage unit  22 , the transmitter  23 , the input unit  25 , and the output unit  26  of the control device  20  in the embodiment. However, step S 110  may be performed by the server  12 . In step S 112 , the terminal  13  merely stores the advertisement information  50  selected by the user  16  in the storage unit  32  and does not send the selected advertisement information  50  to the server  12 . In step S 113 , the controller  31  calculates the second route based on the advertisement information  50  stored in the storage unit  32 . For example, an identifier and a point that are included in the advertisement information  50  may be associated in advance with each other and stored in advance in the storage unit  32  of the terminal  13 , and the controller  31  may specify the point by referring to the storage unit  32 . 
     In a modification of the embodiment, the control device  20  may be configured as the device  14 . In this case, the control device  20  also functions as the second device  40 . Specifically, the controller  41 , the storage unit  42 , the transmitter  43 , the input unit  45 , and the output unit  46  of the second device  40  perform operations similar to those of the controller  21 , the storage unit  22 , the transmitter  23 , the input unit  25 , and the output unit  26  of the control device  20  in the embodiment. However, step S 110  may be performed by the server  12 . Steps S 111  and S 112  are performed by the terminal  13 . In step S 112 , the terminal  13  sends the advertisement information  50  selected by the user  16  not to the server  12  but to the device  14  via the transmitter  33 . In step S 113 , the controller  41  of the device  14  calculates the second route based on the received advertisement information  50 . In step S 114 , the controller  41  determines the calculated second route as a route that is newly set in the device  14 . In step S 115 , the controller  41  stores data about the second route determined in step S 114  in the storage unit  42 . 
     In a modification of the embodiment, the terminal  13  and the vehicle  17  may individually calculate the second route. In this case, the second routes individually calculated by the terminal  13  and the vehicle  17  may not be the same. 
     In a modification of the embodiment, either the terminal  13  or the vehicle  17  may calculate the second route. In this case, the terminal  13  or the vehicle  17  that calculates the second route may share the calculated second route with the other that does not calculate the second route by notifying the other of the calculated second route. 
     The present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, a plurality of blocks illustrated in each block diagram may be integrated, or one block may be divided into a plurality of blocks. Instead of performing the steps in the flowchart in the chronological order according to the description, the steps may be performed in parallel or in a different order either depending on the processing capability of the device that performs the steps or as necessary. Other modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.