JP2003050138A - System and program for setting drive route, system and program for guiding start - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a comfortable drive within a range of leisure. SOLUTION: When a leisure action schedule time is inputted (S100), a movable range within that action schedule time is calculated (S120, S130), and leisure spots existing within that movable range is retrieved (S140). When a leisure spot is selected (S150, S160), a route is searched based on the selected leisure spot, a drive plan is displayed (S170) and a drive route is set.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a service for guiding a vehicle, such as providing a drive plan and starting guide.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is known a navigation system in which a position is detected by GPS or the like as a vehicle travels, an appropriate route from a present position to a destination is calculated and obtained, and further guidance of the route is given by voice. ing.

In such a navigation system,
In recent years, drive points around driving points and estimated arrival times at destinations have also been announced. In such a conventional system, the information such as the drive point and the estimated arrival time cannot be obtained until the traveling route (including those not set for guidance) and the destination are determined.

[0004]

However, there are many situations in which the traveling route and the destination are not decided from the beginning. There is some purpose behind the background of the travel route. For example, it may be leisure such as golf, swimming, skiing, or cherry-blossom viewing, or work. If the purpose is leisure, first, a leisure spot is searched for, and then a travel route and a destination are determined.

A problem with finding a drive point such as a leisure spot is a trade-off with leisure. For example, there are cases where one wants to find a drive point that can make a round trip in about five hours, or there are cases where one wants to visit multiple drive points in one night and two days.

That is, when the destination is not determined in advance, "leisure" → "drive point" → "travel route"
→ The user may make a drive plan in the order of "destination". In that case, the driving points in the vicinity are presented after the driving route is determined, or the required time is calculated after the destination is determined. However, the conventional system cannot provide sufficient service.

Some conventional systems also provide a drive route through a predetermined drive point. However, the model is based on a predetermined travel route, and there are many restrictions on customization, and it is not possible to provide a drive route that suits each user's leisure time.

On the other hand, even if there is a situation in which the destination is predetermined and the destination must be reached by a predetermined time, for example, at a travel destination, as long as time permits,
Sometimes I want to go around the drive point. In the conventional system, when a departure point and a destination are set and a route search is performed, and then, for example, route guidance is started, a travel time (estimated arrival time) when the route is followed is provided. . Therefore, the above situation cannot be dealt with.

Regarding the technique of notifying the departure time at a fixed departure point, the applicant of the present invention has a Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-30.
It was disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 4556. However, as mentioned above, in the situation where you want to go around the drive point as long as time permits, the starting point changes depending on the movement of the vehicle,
There is no point in informing the departure time at a fixed departure point.

After all, under the above-mentioned circumstances, I was wondering whether or not I could reach my destination by a fixed time.
You will not be able to fully enjoy your leisure time. The first object of the present invention is to provide an appropriate driving route according to leisure time, and also to allow the user to enjoy driving by using his / her leisure time even in the situation where he / she should arrive at a certain point by a fixed time. With that as the second purpose,
Achieve a comfortable drive within your leisure time.

[0011]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention In the drive route setting device made to achieve the above-mentioned first object, the drive points existing within the movable range within the set action scheduled time are acquired. Then, the drive route is set based on the drive point selected by the user.

In other words, the present apparatus "sets a scheduled activity time as leisure time" → "drive point acquisition presentation",
That is, “selection of drive point” → “determination of travel route” is performed. This makes it possible to provide an appropriate drive route for your leisure time. The set drive route may be output to a navigation device so that route guidance can be provided. Further, the present device may be realized as a navigation device to include a configuration for route guidance.

It is considered that the drive route is basically set to go through the selected drive point. However, multiple drive points may be selected. Therefore, "based on the drive point" means that the positional relationship between the drive points, the relationship between the required time when the vehicle passes through the drive points and the scheduled action time, and the like are considered. For example, if the two selected drive points are in the opposite directions from the current position, or if the estimated required time when passing through each of the selected drive points greatly exceeds the planned action time, it is selected. It is also possible to set a drive route excluding some drive points. Further, the drive route to be set need not be one. Therefore, it is possible to set a plurality of drive routes such as a drive route passing through all of the selected drive points and a drive route excluding some of them, and to allow the user to select.

By the way, at the drive point, it is possible to stop or park the vehicle and spend time. Therefore, set the play time for the drive point,
The drive route may be set in consideration of this play time (claim 2). This allows you to fully enjoy the time at the drive point.

It has already been described that the acquisition / presentation means acquires and presents the drive points existing in the movable range within the scheduled action time. This is realized, for example, by calculating a straight line distance that can be moved in the scheduled action time and acquiring a drive point existing in a circle having the straight line distance as a radius. A conventionally known database search technique may be used to obtain the drive point.

[0016] However, there are cases in which it is possible to consider returning to home within the scheduled action time. Therefore, a drive point existing in a reciprocable range within the scheduled action time may be acquired and presented (claim 3). In this case, for example, the drive points existing within a circle having a radius equal to half the above-mentioned straight line distance may be acquired.

It is convenient for the user if the scheduled action time can be specified in various forms. For example, it may be possible to specify the departure date and time and the return date and time. At this time, when the scheduled action time spans a plurality of days, it is conceivable that the drive points existing in the movable range on a daily basis are acquired in consideration of the movement on a daily basis (claim 4). If you do this, one night and two days,
This is advantageous when planning a drive plan such as two nights and three days.

By the way, it is still more convenient if the drive route can be further adjusted after the drive route is set. That is, it is preferable that the drive points around the drive route can be acquired and presented (claim 5). Acquisition and presentation is intended to include a configuration that automatically re-searches the surrounding drive points after setting the drive route, as well as a configuration that re-searches only when requested by the user. Is.

More specifically, it is conceivable to acquire and present a drive point for meals and overnight stays (claim 6). Further, the drive point may be acquired based on the business hours and the desired arrival time input (claim 7). This is because some drive points where you can have meals are open only in the evening, so if you stay overnight, enter the scheduled check-in time so that you can check in at a place where you can check in at that time. This is for searching. In this way, when a new drive point is presented, when that drive point is selected, the drive route is set again. In this case, the drive route may be updated and set, or the drive route may be set again together with the previously selected drive point. By enabling the additional setting of the drive point in this way, the drive route can be easily customized and the drive route close to the user's request can be provided.

The functions as the respective means of the drive route setting device can be realized as a program that causes a computer to function. That is, it may be realized as an invention of a drive route setting program. In addition, such a drive route setting program is recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as an FD, MO, DVD, CD-ROM, and hard disk, and is loaded into a computer system and activated when necessary. Can be used. Besides this, R
The program is recorded in advance by using the OM or the backup RAM as a computer-readable recording medium.
The M or the backup RAM may be incorporated into a computer system for use.

In the departure guidance device made to achieve the above second object, the traveling time from the current position of the vehicle to the set point is repeatedly predicted. For example, it may be possible to make predictions at predetermined time intervals such as 10 minutes. The set point means a point where the desired arrival time is set, and in the present invention, further, based on the desired arrival time and the traveling time,
The departure time at the current vehicle position for arriving at the set point is calculated in accordance with the desired arrival time. Then, notification is made based on the calculated departure time (claim 9).

That is, by predicting the traveling time to the set point repeatedly, even if the vehicle moves such that the traveling time to the set point changes, an appropriate departure time is calculated according to the vehicle moving point. Then, the notification is performed based on the calculated departure time. In this way, you can fully enjoy your drive in your spare time even if you have to arrive at a certain point by the set time. For example, if you want to go around the drive point as much as time permits at a travel destination, you can enter the set point where the desired arrival time is set and the notification will be made based on the departure time, so the user can drive safely. You will be able to enjoy.

The notification based on the departure time includes, for example, notification of the departure time itself (claim 1
0). In this way, since the departure time at the moving point of the vehicle can be known, it is possible to always act with a margin. Further, in addition to or instead of this, it may be notified that the departure time has come (claim 11). This is more convenient because it is not necessary to worry about whether or not it is the departure time.

By the way, the traveling time can be estimated based on, for example, the straight line distance from the current vehicle position to the set point. However, if the route is set such that the above-mentioned set point is set as the destination or the waypoint and the traveling time when traveling according to the set route is predicted (claim 12), more accurate traveling time can be predicted. That is, in this case, the route setting from the current vehicle position is repeated. It should be noted that the setting as the destination or the transit point may be manually performed by the user, or is automatically performed by this device on the assumption that the destination including the set point is input. You may do it.

Further, at this time, a scheduled stay time at the waypoint may be set, and the traveling time may be predicted in consideration of the scheduled stay time at the waypoint (claim 13). Further, since the route is set, the route may be guided based on the set route (claim 14).

By the way, in the structure capable of guiding the route to the destination, the notifying means may notify the expected arrival time to the destination or the transit point which is not the set point (claim 15). This is convenient because the estimated arrival time at a point other than the set point can be known.

Although the configuration for performing route guidance by the guide means has been described above, it is desirable to be able to go around a drive point in the vicinity by an appropriate route until the departure time. Therefore, it is preferable that route guidance to a second destination different from the destination related to the set point is possible until the departure time (claim 16).

In such route guidance to the second destination, if the drive route setting device as described above is adopted so that the drive route can be set, it is possible to suit the leisure before departure. The drive plan will be presented, and it will be convenient for users.

By the way, the function of each means of such a departure guide device can be realized as a program for operating a computer. That is, it can be realized as an invention of a departure guidance program. In addition, such a departure guidance program is, for example, FD, MO,
It can be used by recording it on a computer-readable recording medium such as a DVD, a CD-ROM, a hard disk, etc., and loading it into a computer system and activating it as necessary. In addition, ROM and backup RAM
The program is recorded as a computer-readable recording medium, and this ROM or backup R
The AM may be incorporated in a computer system for use.

[0030]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a vehicle-mounted navigation device 1 as an embodiment. The vehicle-mounted navigation device 1 includes a position detector 22, a map data input device 24, an operation switch group 26, a display device 28, a speaker 30, an external memory 32, a communication device 34, and an electronic control unit (ECU) 36. The position detector 22 is a well-known gyroscope 38, a vehicle speed sensor 40, and a GPS that detects the position of the vehicle based on radio waves from satellites.
GPS receiver 4 for (Global Positioning System)
Have two. Since each of these sensors, etc. 38, 40, 42 has an error of a different property, they are configured to be used while being interpolated by a plurality of sensors.
Depending on the accuracy, it may be configured by a part of the above, and further, a geomagnetic sensor, a steering rotation sensor, a wheel sensor for each rolling wheel, or the like may be used.

The map data input device 24 inputs the map data stored in the recording medium. In addition, in the map data,
It includes data indicating the type of road and map matching data for improving the position detection accuracy. The data indicating the types of roads is data for distinguishing highways and general roads. By the way, as a recording medium for storing map data, a CD-ROM or a D
A VD-ROM is generally used, but another medium such as a memory card may be used.

The operation switch group 26 is composed of various switches for operating the vehicle-mounted navigation device 1, and specifically, switches for switching the display contents to be displayed on the display device 28 and according to the display contents. It includes switches for entering information. In this embodiment,
The various switches that form the operation switch group 26 include:
A touch switch integrally formed with the display device 28 and a mechanical switch different from the display device 28 are used together. Mechanical switches include a numeric keypad for entering numbers. It should be noted that a configuration using a remote control terminal may be considered in order to enable operation from the rear seat of the vehicle.

The display device 28 is a color display device,
On the display screen, the vehicle current position mark input from the position detector 22, the map data input from the map data input device 24, and additional data such as a guide route or a mark of a set point to be displayed on the map. And can be overlaid and displayed. Further, it is possible to display an information input screen for various processes described later.

From the speaker 30, the driver can be informed of route guidance by voice.
In this embodiment, the display 28 and the speaker 30 are used.
The route guidance can be given to both the driver and the voice output from. For example, in the case of a right turn, an intersection or the like is displayed to indicate the traveling direction, and the content such as "Turn right at the next intersection" is output by voice. If the driver is informed by voice, the driver can confirm the traffic information at the set point without moving the viewpoint, so that a further safe driving can be achieved.

The external memory 32 stores the route set by the electronic control unit 36, and the stored contents are backed up by a power source (not shown). The communication device 34 is an external device such as VICS (Vehicle Information).
and communication system) is a device for receiving information provided by a system or the like and information provided by a center device having a database, and for transmitting information for retrieval to the outside, for example. Information received from the outside via the communication device 34 is processed by the electronic control device 36. As a device used as the communication device 34, a mobile phone such as a car phone or a mobile phone may be used, or a dedicated transceiver may be used.

The electronic control unit 36 is constructed as an ordinary computer, and internally has a well-known CPU and RO.
M, RAM, I / O and bus lines connecting these components are provided. Then, in accordance with inputs from the position detector 22, the map data input device 24, and the operation switch group 26, the display device 28, the speaker 30, and the external memory 3
2. The communication device 34 is controlled, a route is set, and route guidance is performed according to the route.

The on-vehicle navigation device 1 having such a configuration is characterized by the route setting by the electronic control device 36. That is, by executing the drive route setting process, the drive route that suits each user's leisure time is set. When the drive route is set, thereafter, the route is displayed on the display device 28 and voice guidance (route guidance) is given via the speaker 30.

Next, the drive route setting process will be described. 2 and 3 are flowcharts showing the drive route setting process executed by the electronic control unit 36. This processing is executed when a drive route setting instruction is issued via the operation switch group 26 described above.
Information input when setting the drive route is performed using a wizard format. The wizard format is a format in which information input screens are sequentially displayed so that the user can easily input a series of information so that the user can input the information. Therefore, here, the screen display examples shown in FIGS.

First, in a first step (hereinafter, the step is simply indicated by the symbol S) 100, a scheduled action time is input. This scheduled action time corresponds to the leisure time of the user described above. This processing is performed by displaying an input screen as shown in FIG. The user can enter the input fields (indicated by the symbol A) corresponding to the departure date and the return date, respectively.
Enter the date and time in. The ten keys of the operation switch group 26 are used for this input operation. Note that FIG.
Below the screen display example shown in, the "Next" button (symbol B
) And a “Cancel” button (denoted by the symbol C)
And are displayed. After inputting the date and time of departure and the date and time of returning home, press the "Next" button on this screen to shift to the next process. Pressing a button is realized by touching the button position on the screen with a finger. On the other hand, "Cancel"
The function of the button is to forcibly terminate the drive route setting processing without executing the subsequent processing. The functions of these buttons are the same in the screen display examples shown below.

In S110 of FIG. 2, it is determined whether or not the scheduled action time spans a plurality of days. That is, it is determined whether the departure date and the return date are different. If it is determined here that the number of days spans a plurality of days (S110: YES), the movement range for each day is calculated in S130, and the process proceeds to S140. Calculation of the movement range on a daily basis is performed on April 2 as shown in FIG.
When departing at 9:25 am on the 4th, for example, assuming that the user can move to 7:00 pm on that day, the range of movement is calculated by 7:00 pm. Although it has been described as 7:00 pm here, it is convenient if this time can be arbitrarily set by the user. On the other hand, when it is determined that the number of days does not extend (S1
10: NO), the movement range within the scheduled action time is calculated in S120, and the process proceeds to S140. In S120, a reciprocating range within the scheduled action time is calculated.

In this embodiment, as can be seen from the fact that the return date and time is input, it is planned to return to the home (departure point) at the scheduled action time.
So, for example, if you act for two days, on the first day,
Calculate the daily travel range so that you can return home on the second day of travel. The same applies when acting for three days or more. Such a movement range may be determined in consideration of the positional relationship between the daily scheduled arrival point and the home. For example, when acting for two days, if the arrival point on the first day is the longest distance that can be moved in one day, the movement range on the second day is limited to the home direction. On the other hand, if the arrival point on the first day is half the distance that can be moved in one day, the movement range on the second day will be expanded.

In S140, a leisure spot as a drive point in the movement range calculated in S120 or S130 is searched. The search for the leisure spot is realized via the communication device 34 using a database of an external center device (not shown). It may be realized by building a database of leisure spots in the external memory 32 in advance.

Information on the leisure spots to be searched includes:
Attribute information such as category of leisure spot, business day, business hours, presence / absence of parking lot, and play time is added. In subsequent S150, a list of the searched leisure spot categories is displayed and the categories are input. An example of the screen display at this time is as shown in FIG.
Here, "phishing", "bird watching",
"Ski", "tennis", and "Wonder Vogel" are displayed. The category input is performed by touching the screen with a finger to bring a desired category into a selected state and pressing the "Next" button. The description will be continued assuming that “phishing” indicated by the symbol D is in the selected state (shown by hatching) and the “next” button is pressed. In addition, the "return" button indicated by the symbol E is
This is for realizing switching to the previous screen. This also applies to the screen display examples shown below.

At the next step S160, a leisure spot and a play time at the leisure spot are input. A screen display example is shown in FIG. Here, as indicated by the symbol F, XX lake where bass fishing is possible is selected, and as indicated by the symbol G, the play time there is 3
It shows how the time is entered. In the case of simply passing through a leisure spot, there is no need to enter the play time. Also, a plurality of leisure spots can be selected. In this case as well, pressing the "Next" button shifts to the next processing.

In subsequent S170, a drive plan is created and displayed based on the leisure spot and the play time selected in S160. In this embodiment, as the drive plan, as shown in FIG. 5A, a maximum of 5 routes of plans 1 to 5 are created. When a plurality of leisure spots are selected, it is possible that the scheduled action time will be greatly exceeded if all of them are visited. Therefore, in such cases,
Provide multiple drive plans, including routes that cut some of the leisure spots desired by users.
It should be noted that by pressing a "details" button indicated by the symbol H with a certain plan selected, the details of the plan can be displayed. This is as shown in FIG. In this case, what route and how to go around the leisure spot are displayed. At this time, the scroll bar indicated by the symbol I can be used for scroll display so that the entire route can be seen.

The route search for creating a plan in S170 is performed by calculating the cost by the Dijkstra method. For example, when only one leisure spot is selected, that leisure spot is set as the destination, and when a plurality of leisure spots are selected, one of them is set as the destination and the other is set as the transit point. Then, using the link information for the links between the nodes and the connection information between the links including the traffic regulation, the route cost (evaluation value for the route) from the origin to each node is calculated, and all the routes to the destination are calculated. When the cost calculation is completed, the route is determined in consideration of the route cost. At this time, consider the road type etc. and calculate the required time including the play time,
If it is much longer than the scheduled activity time, remove a part of the leisure spot from the transit point and search for another route. Also, if routes with similar route costs are searched, they are displayed as different drive plans.

When the "Next" button shown in FIG. 5A is pressed, it is determined in S180 whether a drive plan has been selected. If it is determined that the drive plan is selected here (S180: YES), S190 in FIG.
Move to. On the other hand, when it is determined that the drive plan has not been selected (S180: NO), the drive route setting process ends.

In S190, the restaurants around the route of the selected drive plan are searched. Here, in consideration of the business hours of the restaurant, the stores that are open around the route during a general meal time are displayed. An example of the screen display is shown in FIG. At this time, the estimated arrival time at each store is also displayed. Here, as shown in the figure, "light meal □" is selected,
When the "Next" button is pressed, the route is incorporated into the route and the route is updated. A plurality of restaurants may be selected. In addition, when bringing a lunch or the like, it is sufficient to press the "next" button without selecting (without selecting). Further, when the "details" button is pressed, detailed information on the selected store is displayed.

In the following S200, it is determined whether or not to make a plan for the next day. If the scheduled action time spans multiple days and the plan for the final day has not been decided, an affirmative decision is made here. If the next-day plan is to be created (S200: YES), the process proceeds to S210. On the other hand, if the next day plan is not created (S200: NO), S23
At 0, the drive route for the entire process is set, and this drive route setting process ends. At this time, the set drive route is displayed on the display device 28, and when the user gives an instruction, the above route guidance is started.

S2 to be moved when creating a plan for the next day
At 10, the scheduled check-in time is input. This is a process in which the user inputs the desired check-in scheduled time when searching for accommodation facilities. In subsequent S220, the accommodation facility around the route is searched in consideration of the input scheduled check-in time. The search result is shown in FIG.
The screen is displayed as shown in. In this case, this is an example of search when the scheduled check-in time is 7:00 pm. When the "Next" button is pressed here, the selected accommodation facility is incorporated in the route. Of course, here as well, it is not always necessary to select an accommodation facility. When the “details” button is pressed, detailed information on the selected accommodation facility is displayed. After that, the processing from S130 in FIG. 2 is repeated.

As described above in detail, in this embodiment, the user inputs the scheduled activity time as leisure time (S100 in FIG. 2, FIG. 4A) to calculate the movement range (S130). , S140), and search for leisure spots existing in the movement range (S140). Then, when the leisure spot is selected (S150, S160, FIG. 4).
(B) and (c)) Search the route based on the selected leisure spot, display the drive plan (S
170) and set a drive route (S230). This makes it possible to provide an appropriate drive route that suits each user's leisure time.

In the leisure spot selection operation,
A play time can be input (FIG. 4C), and route search is performed in consideration of the input play time. Therefore, it is possible to fully enjoy the time at the leisure spot. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the scheduled action time can be designated by the departure date and the return date. Then, when the scheduled action time spans multiple days (S110: YE in FIG. 2)
S), the movement range is calculated in consideration of movement on a daily basis (S
130), and search for drive points in the movement range (S140). Then, a drive plan can be made every day (S200 in FIG. 3). This is advantageous when making a drive plan such as 2 days and 1 night, 3 days and 2 nights.

Further, in this embodiment, it is possible to search for restaurants and accommodation facilities around the set route (S in FIG. 3).
190, S220). At this time, the restaurant is searched in consideration of business hours (S190), and the accommodation facility is searched in consideration of the scheduled check-in time input by the user (S210, S220). With this, after setting the route, the drive route can be customized and the drive route close to the user's request can be provided.

The electronic control unit 36 and the operation switch group 26 of this embodiment are the "time setting means" and the "selection means".
The electronic control device 36, the communication device 34, and the display device 28 correspond to “acquisition and presentation means”.
The map data input device 24 corresponds to "route setting means".

The function of the electronic control unit 36 as each means is realized by a program executed by the electronic control unit 36. Therefore, the electronic control unit 36
The program executed in 1. corresponds to the "drive route setting program". Then, the processing of S100 shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to the processing as the time setting means, and
The processing of S140, S190, and S220 corresponds to the processing as the acquisition / presentation means, the processing of S150 and S160 corresponds to the processing as the selection means, and the processing of S170 and S230 corresponds to the processing as the route setting means. [Second Embodiment] In the above embodiment, the drive plan is provided according to the leisure time of each user. This is the idea of setting an appropriate destination within the scope of leisure when the destination is not determined.

The second embodiment assumes a situation in which the destination is predetermined and the destination must be reached by a predetermined time. At this time, for example, when traveling, you may want to go around the drive point as time permits. Regarding the hardware configuration, the vehicle-mounted navigation device 1 according to the first embodiment described above.
Is the same as. That is, the configuration shown in FIG. 1 is adopted.
Therefore, the explanation about the hardware configuration is omitted,
Description will be given using the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment.

The in-vehicle navigation system 1 of the second embodiment is characterized by the departure guidance by the electronic control unit 36. In other words, the idea is to execute the departure guidance process to promptly make an appropriate departure to the destination, thereby effectively utilizing the leisure time until the departure.

Next, the departure guidance process will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a departure guidance process executed by the electronic control unit 36. This process is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals such as 10 minutes after an instruction is given via the operation switch group 26 described above. The information input for the departure guidance is performed using a wizard format. The wizard format is a format in which information input screens are sequentially displayed so that the user can easily input a series of information so that the user can input the information. Therefore, here, description will be given with reference to the screen display example shown in FIG.

First, in S300, it is determined whether or not there is set information. This information is information about a destination point, a desired arrival time, and a planned stay time. When it is determined that there is information set here (S30
0: YES), the process of S310 is not executed, and the process proceeds to S320. On the other hand, when it is determined that the set information does not exist (S300: NO), the information setting process is performed in S310.

Here, the information setting process in S310 will be described. First, enter the destination. You can enter more than one destination point. This input is performed through the operation switch group 26 and is performed by a map instruction, a facility name instruction, an address instruction, a telephone number instruction, a memory point instruction, or the like. The input method described here is the same as the input method of the destination and the waypoint in the conventional navigation device.

When the input of the destination point is completed, the desired arrival time at the destination point is input. The input screen for the desired arrival time is, for example, as shown in FIG. Here, the case where four points A to D are input as destinations is shown, and the desired arrival time can be input to any one of the destinations. The desired arrival time is input using the ten-key pad of the operation switch group 26.
FIG. 8A shows a state in which “7:20 pm” is input as the desired arrival time at the point C.
In this embodiment, the desired arrival time is input to only one destination, but the desired arrival time may be input to a plurality of destinations. The destination to which the desired arrival time is input corresponds to the "set point".

When the "return" button (indicated by symbol A) shown at the bottom of FIG. 8A is pressed, switching to the previous screen is performed. From FIG. 8A, it is possible to switch to a destination input screen (not shown). When the "Next" button (indicated by the symbol B) is pressed, the process proceeds to the next process. When the "Cancel" button (indicated by the symbol C) is pressed, this departure guidance process is forcibly terminated without executing the subsequent processes. The pressing of the button displayed on the screen is realized by touching the button position on the screen with a finger. The functions of these buttons are the same in the screen display examples described below.

When the "Next" button indicated by the symbol B in FIG. 8 (a) is pressed, a screen display as shown in FIG. 8 (b) is made next, and the planned staying time at the destination point is displayed. Can be entered. In FIG. 8 (b), at point B for 1 hour, D
I plan to stay there for 0.5 hours.

When the "next" button in FIG. 8 (b) is pressed, the information setting process ends, and the process proceeds to S320 in FIG. In S320, route search is performed. This route search is performed by cost calculation by the Dijkstra method.
For example, when only one destination point is set, that point is set as the destination, and when multiple destination points are set, one of them is set as the destination and the other is set as the transit point. Then, the route cost (evaluation value for the route) from the current vehicle position to each node is calculated using the link information for the links between the nodes and the connection information for the links including the traffic regulation, and all the routes to the destination are calculated. When the cost calculation is completed, the route is determined in consideration of the route cost. The destination point farthest from the current vehicle position may be set as the destination, but another destination point may be set as the destination and a route search may be appropriately performed to determine the route with the smallest route cost.

In S330, the traveling time when traveling according to the determined route is predicted. Here, based on the average vehicle speed for each road type obtained from the link information described above,
The traveling time to the destination and the waypoint is predicted by taking into consideration the congestion information obtained from the VICS system or the like via the communication device 34 and the planned stay time at the destination point.
It should be noted that some users include a type that drives according to the speed limit and a type that drives slower than the speed limit. Therefore, the average vehicle speed for each road type may be set and changed by the user. Alternatively, the deviation between the initial desired arrival time and the actual arrival time may be statistically calculated and automatically updated and changed. This makes it possible to appropriately predict the traveling time even if the user changes.

In the following S340, based on the desired arrival time set for a certain point and the estimated traveling time,
The departure time at the departure point of the determined route is calculated. Then, in the next S350, the calculated departure time is notified. For example, a message such as “departure time is XX hour XX minute” is displayed on the display device 28 or is output via the speaker 30.

Further, in S360, it is determined whether or not it is the departure time. This process is performed by comparing the current time with the departure time. The current time is GPS receiver 42.
It may be specified based on the information from, or may be specified using the clock function (RTC) inside the device 1. In addition, S
The determination processing in 360 may not only determine when the current time has just arrived at the departure time, but may also allow a wide range of determination, such as 10 minutes before and after the calculated departure time.

While it is not the departure time (S36
(0: NO), normal navigation processing is performed in S370, and then this departure guidance processing ends. In this case, when a predetermined time has elapsed after the end, the departure guidance process is executed again. On the other hand, when it is determined that the departure time has come (S360: NO), the fact that the departure time has come is notified in S380, and the process proceeds to S390.

The normal navigation processing in S370 is a guidance processing according to the second route which is realized by setting a destination and a waypoint separately from the above-mentioned destination point. In other words, route guidance to another location is possible until the departure time. Also, S
The notification in 380 is similar to the notification in S350.
This is performed via the display device 28 and the speaker 30. in this case,
It is conceivable to output a message such as "The departure time has come".

When the notification that the departure time has come is made,
The user can instruct the start of route guidance to the set destination point via the operation switch group 26. Therefore, in S390, it is determined whether or not there is a route guidance request from the user. If it is determined that a route guidance request has been made (S390: YES), S40
The route guidance is started at 0, and then this departure guidance processing is ended. When the route guidance is started in S400, thereafter, this departure guidance process is not executed and the normal navigation process is executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no request for route guidance (S390: NO), S
The process of 400 is not executed, and this departure guidance process is ended.
Even in this case, thereafter, the departure guidance process is not executed.

As described above, in this embodiment, when there is an instruction from the user, the departure guidance process (see FIG. 7) is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals such as 10 minutes. Accordingly, when the destination point and the desired arrival time for one destination point are input (S310, FIG. 8).
(A)) A route from the current vehicle position to the destination point is searched at predetermined time intervals (S320), and the traveling time when traveling according to the route is predicted (S33).
0). Then, the departure time in the searched route is calculated (S340), and the notification based on the departure time is made (S350, S380).

That is, by predicting the traveling time to the destination point repeatedly, even if the vehicle moves such that the traveling time to the destination point changes, an appropriate departure time according to the vehicle moving point is calculated. Then, the notification is performed based on the calculated departure time. This allows you to fully enjoy your drive in your spare time, even if you have to arrive at a certain point by a certain time. For example, if you want to go around the drive point as much as time permits at a travel destination, enter the destination point, and if you enter the desired arrival time for one destination point, the notification based on the departure time will be made. , Users can enjoy driving with peace of mind.

At this time, the planned stay time can be input to the destination point (S310, FIG. 8B), and the traveling time is predicted including the planned stay time. This is convenient because the stay schedule at the destination point is taken into consideration and there is no need to consider the stay time at the destination point.

Further, in this embodiment, the departure time itself is notified (S350 in FIG. 7). As a result, the departure time can be known at predetermined time intervals at the moving point of the vehicle, and it is possible to always act with a margin. In addition, the fact that it is the departure time is notified (S380). As a result, it is convenient for the user because it is not necessary to worry about whether or not it is the departure time, and there is no need to worry about watching the clock many times.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a so-called navigation function is provided. That is, when there is a notification that it is the departure time (S38 in FIG. 7).
0) If a route guidance start is requested via the operation switch group 26 (S390: YES), route guidance based on the searched route is started (S400). As a result, there is no possibility of getting lost while traveling to the destination point, and the possibility of reaching the destination by the desired arrival time increases.

In the present embodiment, the normal navigation process is executed until the departure time (S360: NO in FIG. 7) (S370), and the destination point different from the set destination point is set. Enabled route guidance to the second destination. As a result, it is possible to fully enjoy the drive in the leisure until the departure time.

By the way, it is more preferable that the drive route setting process shown in the first embodiment can be executed in the normal navigation process. This is because a drive plan tailored to that leisure time is presented. The scheduled action time in this case is the time from the current time to the departure time.

The electronic control unit 3 in this embodiment
6, the communication device 34, and the map data input device 24 correspond to “traveling time predicting means”, the electronic control device 36 corresponds to “departure time calculating means”, the electronic control device 36, and the display device 2
The speaker 8 and the speaker 30 correspond to the "notifying means" and the "guidance means".

The function of the electronic control unit 36 as each means is realized by a program executed by the electronic control unit 36. Therefore, the electronic control unit 36
The program executed in is equivalent to the "departure guidance program." Then, S320 and S330 shown in FIG.
Processing corresponds to the processing as the travel time predicting means, and S3
The processing of 40 corresponds to the processing as the departure time calculating means,
The processing of S350, S360 and S380 corresponds to the processing as the notification means, and the processing of S370, S390 and S400 corresponds to the processing as the guiding means. [Others] As described above, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and may be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention.

(A) In the first embodiment, the scheduled action time is entered as the departure date and the return date (see FIG. 4 (a)), but it may be designated by the time such as 5 hours. You may (B) In the first embodiment, the search for the eating place or the accommodation facility is automatically performed. However, of course, only when the user requests it, or the setting for the search is set in the external memory. It may be performed only when the number is 32. The latter setting can be considered to be changeable by a menu, for example.

(C) In the second embodiment, the departure time itself is notified, and the fact that the departure time has come is notified. In addition to this, for example, when a plurality of destination points are set, the estimated arrival time at each destination point may be notified. This will be more convenient for the user.

(D) In the first embodiment, the expected action time and the like are input, and in the second embodiment, the destination point, the desired arrival time, the expected stay time, etc. are input using the operation switch group 26. It was On the other hand, for example, assuming that a portable information terminal or the like can be connected to the in-vehicle navigation device 1 in a wired or wireless manner, and the user stores the schedule in the portable information terminal in advance,
It is conceivable to automatically read the user's schedule and input information such as a scheduled action time, a destination point, a desired arrival time, and a scheduled stay time without operating the operation switch group 26. Note that Bluetooth, which has been standardized as a short-range wireless communication technology, can be used to connect the in-vehicle navigation device 1 and the portable information terminal.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle-mounted navigation device.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a first half part of a drive route setting process.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the latter half of the drive route setting process.

FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display example of inputting a scheduled action time, FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display example of a category selection, and FIG. 4C is a leisure spot selection screen table. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example.

5A is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display example of drive plan selection, and FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display example of plan details.

FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display example for selecting a restaurant, and FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display example for selecting an accommodation facility.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a departure guidance process.

FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display example for inputting a desired arrival time, and FIG. 8B is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display example for inputting an expected stay time.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Car navigation system 22 ... Position detector 24 ... Map data input device 26 ... Operation switch group 28 ... Display device 30 ... speaker 32 ... External memory 34 ... Communication device 36 ... Electronic control unit 38 ... Gyroscope 40 ... Vehicle speed sensor 42 ... GPS receiver

Front page continuation (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G09B 29/10 G09B 29/10 A F term (reference) 2C032 HB22 HB24 HB25 HD04 HD21 2F029 AA02 AB01 AB07 AB13 AC02 AC06 AC08 AC09 AC14 AC18 AC20 5B075 PP03 PQ02 PQ04 UU14 UU16 5B089 GA01 GA13 GA23 GB02 JA35 JB15 KA11 KA13 KB04 MC08 5H180 AA01 BB04 BB12 BB13 BB15 FF04 FF05 FF07 FF12 FF22 FF25 FF27 FF38

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A time setting means which is mounted on a vehicle and is used to set a scheduled action time, and a drive point existing in a movable range within the scheduled action time set by the time setting means is acquired. Acquisition presenting means for presenting, selecting means for selecting a drive point desired by the user among the driving points presented by the acquiring and presenting means, and a drive point selected through the selecting means. A drive route setting device for setting a drive route based on the drive route setting device. 2. The drive route setting device according to claim 1, wherein when selecting the drive point via the selecting means, a play time at the drive point can be set, and the route setting means Considering the play time,
A drive route setting device for setting the drive route. 3. The drive route setting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the acquisition presenting means acquires a drive point existing in a reciprocable range within the scheduled action time. apparatus. 4. The drive route setting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, when the scheduled action time spans a plurality of days, the acquisition presenting means considers movement on a day-by-day basis. A drive route setting device characterized by acquiring drive points existing in a movable range on a daily basis. 5. The drive route setting device according to claim 1, wherein when the drive route is set by the route setting unit, the acquisition presenting unit requires a time required for the set drive route. A drive route setting device characterized by being able to further acquire drive points around the drive route based on the above. 6. The drive route setting device according to claim 5, wherein the acquisition presenting means acquires a drive point where a meal or an overnight stay can be obtained as a drive point around the drive route. apparatus. 7. The drive route setting device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the acquisition presenting means acquires a drive point around the drive route based on at least one of business hours and an input desired arrival time. A drive route setting device characterized by: 8. A time setting means for setting a scheduled action time, an acquisition presenting means for obtaining a drive point existing within a movable range within the scheduled action time set by the time setting means, and the acquisition presenting means Selection means for selecting a desired drive point among the acquired drive points, and a drive route for causing a computer to function as a route setting means for setting a drive route based on the drive point selected through the selection means Setting program. 9. A traveling time predicting means, which is mounted on a vehicle and is used to repeatedly predict a traveling time from a current vehicle position to a set point where a desired arrival time is set, and the traveling time predicting means. Departure time calculation means for calculating a departure time at the current vehicle position for arriving at the set point in accordance with the expected arrival time and the desired arrival time, and the departure time calculation means And a notifying unit that gives a notification based on the departure time calculated in. 10. The departure guide apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the notification means notifies the departure time itself. 11. The departure guide apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the notification means notifies that the departure time has come. 12. The departure guide apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the set point can be set as a destination or a stopover, and the travel time prediction means follows the set route. A departure guidance device that predicts a traveling time when a vehicle travels. 13. The departure guide apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a scheduled stay time at the stopover can be set, and the travel time prediction means considers the scheduled stay time at the stopover. A departure guidance device that predicts the traveling time. 14. The departure guide apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, further comprising guide means capable of performing route guidance based on the set route. 15. The departure guide apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the notification unit notifies an expected arrival time at a destination or a stopover other than the set point. apparatus. 16. The departure guide apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the guide means is a second destination different from the destination associated with the set point until the departure time. A departure guidance device capable of providing route guidance to. 17. A traveling time predicting means for repeatedly predicting a traveling time from a current vehicle position to a set point where a desired arrival time is set, a traveling time predicted by the traveling time predicting means and the arrival. Departure time calculating means for calculating a departure time at the current vehicle position for arriving at the set point according to the desired time of arrival, and notification based on the departure time calculated by the departure time calculating means A departure guidance program that causes a computer to function as an informing means for carrying out.