JP2010216831A - Navigation apparatus and traveling speed information adjustment method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation apparatus and a traveling speed information adjustment method which can improve the accuracy of adjusting traveling speed information and improve the accuracy of forecasting an estimated time of arrival in an area in which a driver is accustomed to traveling. <P>SOLUTION: Only when a vehicle is traveling in a first area (an area in which the driver is accustomed to traveling: Tokyo), first traveling speed information showing a traveling speed for each day of the week, time zone, road type, and traveling speed range is updated on the basis of traveling history information acquired during traveling, thereby allowing the first traveling speed information not to be updated by the traveling history information when the vehicle travels in an area other than the first area (an area in which the driver is not accustomed to traveling: Saitama Prefecture), improving the accuracy of adjusting the first traveling speed information, and improving the accuracy of forecasting an estimated time of arrival in an area in which the driver is accustomed to traveling. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device and a travel speed information adjustment method, using distance information of each road link constituting a route to a destination, and travel speed information for each day, time zone, road type, and travel speed range. It is suitable for use in a navigation device that calculates an expected arrival time, which is a time of arrival at the destination, and displays it on the screen.

  In general, a navigation device detects the current position of a vehicle using a self-contained navigation sensor, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, or the like, reads out map data in the vicinity thereof from a recording medium, and displays it on a screen. Then, a vehicle position mark indicating the vehicle position is superimposed and displayed at a predetermined location on the screen, so that it can be seen at a glance where the vehicle is currently traveling.

  Also, most of the recent navigation devices are equipped with a route guidance function that allows a driver to easily travel to a desired destination without making a mistake on the road. This route guidance function automatically searches for the route with the lowest cost from the current location to the destination using map data, and uses the searched route as a guidance route to change the color of other roads on the map screen. draw. Further, when the vehicle approaches within a certain distance of the guidance intersection on the guidance route, the driver is guided to the destination by performing predetermined intersection guidance.

  In the route search process, link the individual vectors represented by dividing a series of roads finely, using the points at both ends of each link as nodes, sequentially adding the link costs on various routes from the current location to the destination, The route with the smallest link cost is selected as the guide route. The cost is a value obtained by multiplying a predetermined constant according to the road width, road type (whether it is a general road or a highway), right and left turns, traffic regulations, etc. based on the distance. The degree of appropriateness is quantified.

  This type of navigation device uses the distance information of each road link on the route to the destination and the travel speed information set in advance for each road type and travel speed range. It has the function of calculating the travel time and calculating the estimated arrival time, which is the time of arrival at the destination, by summing the required travel time of each road link and displaying it on the screen.

  In addition, the travel history information obtained by acquiring the travel history of the vehicle (in which day and time zone, which distance and how long the road corresponding to which travel type and travel speed range was traveled) There is also a technique for adjusting the estimated arrival time and the traveling speed information used for the calculation based on the above. According to this technology, considering the driving habits of the user and past road conditions (for example, road shape and traffic congestion), what speed of the day the user can drive at what time Can be predicted for each road type and each traveling speed range, it is possible to accurately calculate the estimated arrival time at the destination.

  The travel frequency information, the U-turn frequency information, and the travel lane frequency information are acquired as learning information while the vehicle is traveling, and the U-turn frequency information and the travel frequency information are set to the destination among the acquired learning information. A technique has been proposed in which travel lane frequency information is reflected in travel lane guidance during travel guidance (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to the technology described in Patent Document 1, route guidance based on the user's driving habits (user's preference) can be realized.

JP 2006-29863 A

  However, the technique for adjusting the traveling speed information based on the traveling history information described above has the following problems to be solved. In other words, since travel history information is always learned in any region, for example, when leaving a region where you are usually used to traveling (for example, Tokyo) and traveling to a region where you are not familiar with traveling (for example, Hokkaido) Considering that, when returning from a business trip destination (Hokkaido) to an area (Tokyo) where you are usually used to traveling, there is a high possibility that the prediction accuracy of the estimated arrival time is lower than before the business trip. This is because in areas where you are not familiar with traveling, you will be traveling in an unfamiliar road traffic situation. Even in the speed range, the driver's driving tendency often changes. This is because the travel speed information used for calculating the estimated arrival time is changed by learning based on the travel history information when traveling with the changed driving tendency.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, so as to improve the adjustment accuracy of the traveling speed information and to increase the prediction accuracy of the estimated arrival time in an area that is usually used for traveling. The purpose is to do.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in the present invention, only when the vehicle has traveled in the first region (the region that is usually used to travel), based on the travel history information acquired during the travel, The first traveling speed information indicating the traveling speed for each time zone, road type, and traveling speed range is updated.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, when the vehicle travels in a region other than the first region (region that is not used to traveling), the first travel speed information is not updated by the travel history information. The travel speed information is maintained by learning based on travel history information when traveling in the first region. For this reason, the adjustment result of the first travel speed information faithfully reflects the user's driving habits in an area where he / she is used to traveling. Therefore, it is possible to improve the adjustment accuracy of the first travel speed information in an area where the user is accustomed to travel, and the estimated arrival time calculated using the first travel speed information is also accurate.

It is a block diagram which shows the example of whole structure of the navigation apparatus by 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the 1st driving speed information by 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the adjustment operation example of traveling speed information by 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of calculation of the estimated arrival time by 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the example of whole structure of the navigation apparatus by 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the information structural example of the 1st and 2nd traveling speed information storage part by 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the adjustment operation example of the travel speed information by 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of calculation of the estimated arrival time by 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the example of whole structure of the navigation apparatus by 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the information structural example of the 1st and 2nd traveling speed information storage part by 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of calculation of the estimated arrival time by 3rd Embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a navigation device 100 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a recording medium such as a DVD-ROM, which stores various types of map data necessary for map display, route search, and the like. Although the DVD-ROM 11 is used here as a recording medium for storing map data, other recording media such as a CD-ROM, a hard disk, and a semiconductor memory may be used.

  The map data recorded on the DVD-ROM 11 includes road unit data used for various processes such as map display and route search. The road unit data includes information on road links corresponding to the road (for example, road link distance, link cost, road type, travel speed range, etc.) and information on nodes corresponding to both ends of the road link.

  A vehicle position detection unit 12 detects the current position of the vehicle at predetermined intervals, and includes a self-contained navigation sensor, a GPS receiver, a position calculation CPU, and the like. The self-contained navigation sensor includes a vehicle speed sensor (distance sensor) that outputs a single pulse for each predetermined travel distance to detect the travel distance of the vehicle, and an angular velocity sensor such as a vibration gyro that detects the rotation angle (movement direction) of the vehicle. (Relative orientation sensor). The self-contained navigation sensor detects the relative position and direction of the vehicle using these vehicle speed sensor and angular velocity sensor.

  The position calculation CPU calculates an absolute own vehicle device (estimated vehicle position) and a vehicle direction based on relative position and direction data output from the self-contained navigation sensor. The GPS receiver receives radio waves transmitted from a plurality of GPS satellites by a GPS antenna and performs a three-dimensional positioning process or a two-dimensional positioning process to calculate the absolute position and direction of the vehicle (the vehicle direction is The calculation is based on the current vehicle position and the current vehicle position one sampling time ΔT before).

  A map information storage unit 13 temporarily stores map data read from the DVD-ROM 11 under the control of the DVD-ROM control unit 14. The DVD-ROM control unit 14 controls reading of map data from the DVD-ROM 11. That is, the DVD-ROM control unit 14 inputs information on the current vehicle position from the vehicle position detection unit 12 and outputs an instruction to read out a predetermined range of map data including the current vehicle position, thereby displaying a map display or guidance route. The map data necessary for the search is read from the DVD-ROM 11 and stored in the map information storage unit 13.

  Reference numeral 15 denotes a destination setting unit, which sets the destination of the guidance route. Regarding the setting of this destination, as in the past, the map image is scrolled to set the cursor position to the desired point as the destination, or from the menu screen, the facility name, point name, phone number, address, mail It is possible to enter a keyword such as a number and set a searched point as a destination.

  Reference numeral 16 denotes a guidance route search unit, which is a destination set by the destination setting unit 15 based on the map data stored in the map information storage unit 13 based on the vehicle position detected by the vehicle position detection unit 12. Search for the guidance route to. Reference numeral 17 denotes a guidance route memory, which temporarily stores guidance route data (a set of road links from the current position constituting the guidance route to the destination) representing the guidance route searched by the guidance route search unit 16. .

  A current time acquisition unit 18 acquires the current time and today's day of the week. The current time acquisition unit 18 has, for example, calendar information and the like, and can acquire today's day of the week. Reference numeral 19 denotes a travel history information acquisition unit, which includes vehicle position information detected by the vehicle position detection unit 12, map data stored in the map information storage unit 13, and current time and day of the week acquired by the current time acquisition unit 18. Based on the above, the travel history of the vehicle is acquired as travel history information. In the present embodiment, the travel history information associates each of a plurality of road links constituting a travel locus traveled in the past, the day / time of travel of each road link, and the road type / travel speed range of each road link. Information. Reference numeral 20 denotes a travel history information storage unit that sequentially stores the travel history information acquired by the travel history information acquisition unit 19.

  Reference numeral 21 denotes a first travel speed information storage unit, which indicates the day of the week, time zone, road type, and travel speed for each travel speed range when the vehicle travels in the first region (the region that is usually used to travel). First travel speed information is stored. In the present embodiment, a prefecture including a point registered by the user in the navigation device 100 as a home is set as the first region. For example, when a location in Tokyo is registered as a home, first area information indicating that the first area that is usually used to travel is Tokyo is stored in a non-volatile user memory (not shown). be registered. The method for setting the range of the first region is not limited to this. For example, the first area may be set in units of municipalities. Further, a radius range of [km] from the home may be set as the first area.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the first traveling speed information according to the first embodiment. The first traveling speed information is table information having a nested structure having a child table as shown in FIG. 2B in each cell of the parent table as shown in FIG. That is, the first travel speed information is classified for each day of the week (Monday to Sunday) and for each time zone (6: 0 to 6:59, 7: 0 to 7:59, etc.) as shown in FIG. In each cell, as shown in FIG. 2B, table information is stored that stores road speed information and road speed information for each road speed range.

  For example, when the vehicle travels in the first area around 14:30 on Thursday, the table information of FIG. 2B included in the cell indicated by a thick frame in FIG. 2A is updated. In the table information shown in FIG. 2B, any one of road types A to D (for example, corresponding to a highway, a general national road, a main local road, and a prefectural road) and a travel speed range (10-20 [ km / h], 20-30 [km / h], etc.) is stored in a cell corresponding to the corresponding road type and travel speed range. For example, when the vehicle travels at a road speed of 60 [km / h] at an average speed of 60 [km / h] on a road having a road type of C and a travel speed range of 30-40 [km / h], a thick frame in FIG. The traveling speed information (60 [km / h]) is stored in the cell indicated by.

  Reference numeral 22 denotes a first extraction unit. Based on the first region information set in the user memory, the vehicle travels in the first region from the travel history information stored in the travel history information storage unit 20. The travel history information at the time of being extracted is extracted. Then, the first extraction unit 22 outputs the extracted travel history information to the first travel speed calculation unit 23.

  The first travel speed calculation unit 23 is the travel history information output from the first extraction unit 22 and the map data stored in the map information storage unit 13 (distance information regarding road links included in the first region). Based on the above, the travel speed for each day of the week, time zone, road type, and travel speed range when the vehicle travels in the first region is calculated. For example, from the travel history information in the first area output from the first extraction unit 22 and the road link distance information stored in the map information storage unit 13, Wednesday 14:15 in the first area. When it is found that the vehicle has traveled 30 [km] on a road having a road type D and a travel speed range (50-60 [km / h]) at 14:45 (30 minutes), the first travel speed calculation unit 23 Day of the week (Wednesday), time zone (14: 0 to 14:59), road type (road type D), and travel speed range (50-60 [km / h]) as a travel speed of 60 [km / h] (= Travel distance (30 [km]) / travel time (1/2 [h])) is calculated. Then, the first travel speed calculation unit 23 outputs travel speed information indicating the calculated travel speed to the first update unit 24.

  The first updating unit 24 updates the first traveling speed information stored in the first traveling speed information storage unit 21 based on the traveling speed information output from the first traveling speed calculation unit 23. . In the present embodiment, the first updating unit 24 includes the day of the week, the time zone, the road type, and the travel speed for each travel speed range indicated by the first travel speed information, and the first travel speed calculation unit. The difference with each value of the traveling speed for every day of the week, time zone, road type, and traveling speed range indicated by the traveling speed information output from 23 is calculated. Then, the first update unit 24 travels for each day of the week, time zone, road type, and travel speed range indicated by the first travel speed information for each predetermined ratio (for example, 5 [%]) of the calculated difference. The first traveling speed information is updated by adding to each value of the speed.

  Reference numeral 25 denotes a required travel time calculation unit, guide route data stored in the guide route memory 17, map data (road link distance information, road type, etc.) stored in the map information storage unit 13, and the first travel. Based on the first travel speed information stored in the speed information storage unit 21, the required travel time of each road link on the guide route from the current position to the destination is calculated. The required travel time of each road link is the travel speed corresponding to the conditions (that is, the day of the week, the time zone, the road type, and the travel speed range) when the distance indicated by the distance information of the road link travels the road link. It is calculated by dividing by (obtained by referring to the first traveling speed information). Then, the required travel time calculation unit 25 outputs the required travel time information indicating the calculated required travel time of each road link to the expected arrival time calculation unit 26.

  The estimated arrival time calculation unit 26 totals the required travel times of the road links indicated by the required travel time information output from the required travel time calculation unit 25, and acquires the total required travel time by the current time acquisition unit 18. The estimated arrival time to arrive at the destination is calculated by adding to the current time. Then, the predicted arrival time calculation unit 26 outputs predicted arrival time information indicating the calculated predicted arrival time to the guidance route guide unit 27.

  The guidance route guide unit 27 is based on the vehicle position information detected by the vehicle position detection unit 12, the map data stored in the map information storage unit 13, and the guidance route data stored in the guidance route memory 17. To guide the route. Specifically, the guidance route guide unit 27 generates map image data necessary for map display on the display 28 based on the map data stored in the map information storage unit 13, and the generated map image data Is output to the display 28 to display a map image. Then, the guide route guide unit 27 generates guide route drawing data for displaying the guide route road thickly in a color different from other roads based on the guide route data stored in the guide route memory 17. By outputting the generated guidance route drawing data to the display 28, the guidance route is displayed superimposed on the map image. Furthermore, the guidance route guide unit 27 displays the estimated arrival time indicated by the estimated arrival time information output from the estimated arrival time calculation unit 26 on the map image.

  Next, the adjustment operation of the first traveling speed information by the navigation device 100 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of adjusting the first traveling speed information by the navigation device 100 according to the first embodiment. The process of step S100 in FIG. 3 starts when the navigation device 100 is activated.

  First, based on the first area information set in the user memory, the first extraction unit 22 causes the vehicle to travel in the first area in the travel history information stored in the travel history information storage section 20. It is determined whether or not there is travel history information at the time (step S100). If the first extraction unit 22 determines that there is no travel history information when the vehicle travels in the first region (NO in step S100), the navigation device 100 ends the process in FIG. To do.

  On the other hand, when the first extraction unit 22 determines that there is travel history information when the vehicle travels in the first region (YES in step S100), the first extraction unit 22 The travel history information in the area is extracted from the travel history information storage unit 20 (step S120). Then, the first extraction unit 22 outputs the extracted travel history information to the first travel speed calculation unit 23.

  Next, the first travel speed calculation unit 23 determines whether the vehicle is the first based on the travel history information output from the first extraction unit 22 and the road link distance information stored in the map information storage unit 13. The travel speed for each day of the week, time zone, road type, and travel speed range when traveling in the area is calculated (step S140). Then, the first travel speed calculation unit 23 outputs travel speed information indicating the calculated travel speed to the first update unit 24.

  Finally, the first update unit 24 is configured to store the first travel speed information stored in the first travel speed information storage unit 21 based on the travel speed information output from the first travel speed calculation unit 23. Is updated (step S160). When the process of step S160 is completed, the navigation device 100 ends the process in FIG.

  Next, the calculation operation of the estimated arrival time by the navigation device 100 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of calculating the estimated arrival time by the navigation device 100 according to the first embodiment. The process of step S300 in FIG. 4 starts when the required travel time calculation unit 25 receives a request for calculating the estimated arrival time from the guidance route guide unit 27. It is assumed that information on each road link constituting the guide route is already stored in the guide route memory 17.

  First, the required travel time calculation unit 25 extracts a road link including the current position (that is, the first road link constituting the guidance route to the destination) from the guidance route memory 17 (step S300). Next, the required travel time calculation unit 25 includes the map data (road link distance information) stored in the map information storage unit 13 and the first travel speed stored in the first travel speed information storage unit 21. Based on the information, the required travel time of the extracted road link is calculated (step S320). Then, the required travel time calculation unit 25 outputs required travel time information indicating the calculated required travel time of the road link to the expected arrival time calculation unit 26.

  Next, the required travel time calculation unit 25 refers to the guide route data stored in the guide route memory 17, and the required travel time of all road links constituting the route on the guide route from the current position to the destination. It is determined whether or not has been calculated (step S340). If the required travel time calculation unit 25 determines that the required travel time for all the road links has not been calculated (NO in step S340), the required travel time calculation unit 25 determines the purpose from the previously extracted road link. The next road link connected to the ground is extracted from the guide route memory 17 (step S360). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S320.

  On the other hand, when the required travel time calculation unit 25 determines that the required travel time for all road links has been calculated (YES in step S340), the estimated arrival time calculation unit 26 is output from the required travel time calculation unit 25. The required travel time for each road link indicated by the required travel time information is summed, and the total travel time is added to the current time acquired by the current time acquisition unit 18 to predict the arrival at the destination. Time is calculated (step S380). When the process of step S380 is completed, the navigation device 100 ends the process in FIG.

  As explained in detail above, in the first embodiment, only when the vehicle has traveled in the first region (the region that is usually used to travel), based on the travel history information acquired during the travel, The first travel speed information indicating the travel speed for each day of the week, time zone, road type, and travel speed range is updated.

  According to the first embodiment configured as described above, when the vehicle travels in a region other than the first region (region that is not used to traveling), the first travel speed information is not updated by the travel history information. The first travel speed information is maintained by learning based on travel history information when traveling in the first region. For this reason, the adjustment result of the first travel speed information faithfully reflects the user's driving habits in an area where he / she is used to traveling. Therefore, it is possible to improve the adjustment accuracy of the first travel speed information in an area where the user is accustomed to travel, and the estimated arrival time calculated using the first travel speed information is also accurate.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the navigation device 100 ′ according to the second embodiment. The navigation device 100 ′ according to the second embodiment is different from the navigation device 100 of FIG. 1 in that the second travel speed information storage unit 30, the second extraction unit 31, the second travel speed calculation unit 32, and the second An updating unit 33 is further provided. In addition, the navigation device 100 ′ includes a required travel time calculation unit 25 ′ instead of the required travel time calculation unit 25 of FIG. In FIG. 5, those given the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. 1 have the same functions, and therefore redundant description is omitted here.

  The second travel speed information storage unit 30 indicates a travel speed for each day of the week, a time zone, a road type, and a travel speed range when the vehicle travels in a second area (an area that is not used to travel). The traveling speed information is stored. Also in this embodiment, the prefecture including the point registered by the user as the home in the navigation device 100 is set as the first region. For example, when a location in Tokyo is registered as a home, the first area information indicating that the first area that is usually used to travel is Tokyo is stored in a non-volatile user memory (not shown). be registered. On the other hand, second area information representing each prefecture (other than Tokyo) that is a second area that is not used to traveling is registered in the user memory.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an information configuration example of the first and second traveling speed information storage units 21 and 30 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6A shows travel speed information (Tokyo) as first travel speed information stored in the first travel speed information storage unit 21. FIG. 6B shows travel speed information (prefectures) as second travel speed information stored in the second travel speed information storage unit 30. In addition, since the structure of the 1st and 2nd traveling speed information is the same as the structure demonstrated in FIG. 2, the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted here.

  Based on the second area information set in the user memory, the second extraction unit 31 selects each of the prefectures in the second area from the traveling history information stored in the traveling history information storage unit 20. The traveling history information when traveling is distinguished and extracted for each prefecture. Then, the second extraction unit 31 outputs the extracted travel history information for each prefecture to the second travel speed calculation unit 32.

  The second traveling speed calculation unit 32 outputs traveling history information for each prefecture output from the second extraction unit 31 and map data stored in the map information storage unit 13 (road link included in the second region). Based on the distance information), the day of the week, the time zone, the road type, and the travel speed for each travel speed range when the vehicle travels in the second region (any of the prefectures) are calculated for each prefecture. Then, the second travel speed calculation unit 32 outputs travel speed information indicating the calculated travel speed for each prefecture to the second update unit 33.

  Based on the travel speed information for each prefecture output from the second travel speed calculation unit 32, the second update unit 33 stores the second for each prefecture stored in the second travel speed information storage unit 30. Each of the two traveling speed information is updated. In the present embodiment, the second updating unit 33 sets, for each prefecture, each value of the traveling speed for each day of the week, time zone, road type, and traveling speed range indicated by the second traveling speed information, The difference between the day of the week, the time zone, the road type, and each value of the traveling speed for each traveling speed range indicated by the traveling speed information output from the traveling speed calculation unit 32 is calculated. Then, the second update unit 33 travels for each day of the week, time zone, road type, and travel speed range indicated by the second travel speed information for each predetermined ratio (for example, 5 [%]) of the calculated difference. By adding to each value of the speed, the second traveling speed information is updated for each prefecture.

  The required travel time calculation unit 25 ′ includes guide route data stored in the guide route memory 17, map data (road link distance information, road type and travel speed range) stored in the map information storage unit 13, first Based on the second travel speed information, the required travel time of each road link on the guide route from the current position to the destination is calculated. Specifically, the required travel time calculation unit 25 ′ calculates the required travel time of the road link included in the first area based on the first travel speed information. The required travel time of each road link is the travel speed corresponding to the conditions (that is, the day of the week, the time zone, the road type, and the travel speed range) when the distance indicated by the distance information of the road link travels the road link. It is calculated by dividing by (obtained by referring to the first traveling speed information).

  In addition, the required travel time calculation unit 25 ′ calculates the required travel time of the road link included in the second area (each prefecture) based on the second travel speed information. The required travel time of each road link is the travel speed corresponding to the conditions (that is, the day of the week, the time zone, the road type, and the travel speed range) when the distance indicated by the distance information of the road link travels the road link. It is calculated by dividing by (obtained by referring to the second traveling speed information). Then, the required travel time calculation unit 25 ′ outputs required travel time information indicating the calculated required travel time of each road link to the predicted arrival time calculation unit 26.

  Next, the operation for adjusting the traveling speed information by the navigation device 100 'according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an adjustment operation of the first and second traveling speed information by the navigation device 100 ′ according to the second embodiment. The process of step S500 in FIG. 7 starts when the navigation device 100 ′ is activated.

  First, based on the first area information set in the user memory, the first extraction unit 22 causes the vehicle to travel in the first area in the travel history information stored in the travel history information storage section 20. It is determined whether or not there is travel history information at the time (step S500). If the first extraction unit 22 determines that there is no travel history information when the vehicle travels in the first region (NO in step S500), the process transitions to step S580.

  On the other hand, when the first extraction unit 22 determines that there is travel history information when the vehicle travels in the first region (YES in step S500), the first extraction unit 22 The travel history information in the area is extracted from the travel history information storage unit 20 (step S520). Then, the first extraction unit 22 outputs the extracted travel history information in the first region to the first travel speed calculation unit 23.

  Next, the first travel speed calculation unit 23 determines whether the vehicle is the first based on the travel history information output from the first extraction unit 22 and the road link distance information stored in the map information storage unit 13. The traveling speed for each day of the week, time zone, road type, and traveling speed range when traveling in the area is calculated (step S540). Then, the first travel speed calculation unit 23 outputs travel speed information indicating the calculated travel speed to the first update unit 24. The first updating unit 24 updates the first traveling speed information stored in the first traveling speed information storage unit 21 based on the traveling speed information output from the first traveling speed calculation unit 23. (Step S560).

  Next, based on the second area information set in the user memory, the second extraction unit 31 includes the second area in the traveling history information stored in the traveling history information storage section 20. It is determined whether or not there is travel history information when traveling (step S580). If the second extraction unit 31 determines that there is no travel history information when the vehicle travels in the second region (NO in step S580), the navigation device 100 ′ performs the processing in FIG. finish.

  On the other hand, when the second extraction unit 31 determines that there is travel history information when the vehicle travels in the second region (YES in step S580), the second extraction unit 31 stores the travel history information. The travel history information when the vehicle travels in the second region is extracted from the travel history information stored in the unit 20 for each prefecture (step S600). Then, the second extraction unit 31 outputs the travel history information extracted for each prefecture to the second travel speed calculation unit 32.

  Next, the second travel speed calculation unit 32 is based on the travel history information for each prefecture output from the second extraction unit 31 and the road link distance information stored in the map information storage unit 13. When the vehicle travels in the second area, the travel speed for each day of the week, time zone, road type, and travel speed range is calculated for each prefecture (step S620). Then, the second travel speed calculation unit 32 outputs travel speed information indicating the travel speed calculated for each prefecture to the second update unit 33.

  Finally, the second updating unit 33 is based on the traveling speed information for each prefecture output from the second traveling speed calculating unit 32, and the prefectures stored in the second traveling speed information storage unit 30. The second travel speed information for each is updated (step S640). When the process of step S640 is completed, the navigation device 100 ′ ends the process in FIG.

  Next, the operation of calculating the estimated arrival time by the navigation device 100 ′ of the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation for calculating the estimated arrival time by the navigation device 100 ′ according to the second embodiment. The process of step S700 in FIG. 8 starts when the required travel time calculation unit 25 ′ receives a request for calculating the estimated arrival time from the guidance route guide unit 27. It is assumed that information on each road link constituting the guide route is already stored in the guide route memory 17.

  First, the required travel time calculation unit 25 ′ extracts a road link including the current position (that is, the first road link constituting the guidance route to the destination) from the guidance route 17 (step S700). Next, the required travel time calculation unit 25 ′ determines whether or not the extracted road link is included in the first region based on the first region information set in the user memory (step S720). .

  If the required travel time calculation unit 25 ′ determines that the extracted road link is included in the first region (YES in step S720), the required travel time calculation unit 25 ′ stores the map information storage. Based on the map data (road link distance information) stored in the unit 13 and the first travel speed information stored in the first travel speed information storage unit 21, the required travel time of the extracted road link is calculated. Calculate (step S740). The required travel time calculation unit 25 ′ then outputs the required travel time information indicating the calculated required travel time of the road link to the expected arrival time calculation unit 26.

  On the other hand, when the required travel time calculation unit 25 'determines that the extracted road link is not included in the first area (that is, included in any of the prefectures in the second area) (step NO in S720), the required travel time calculation unit 25 'is the map data (road link distance information) stored in the map information storage unit 13 and the second travel speed information storage unit 30 stored in the second travel speed information storage unit 30. Based on the travel speed information of No. 2, the required travel time of the extracted road link is calculated (step S760). The required travel time calculation unit 25 ′ then outputs the required travel time information indicating the calculated required travel time of the road link to the expected arrival time calculation unit 26.

  After the required travel time calculation process in step S740 or S760 is completed, the required travel time calculation unit 25 ′ refers to the guide route data stored in the guide route memory 17, and guides the route from the current position to the destination. It is determined whether or not the required travel time for all the road links above has been calculated (step S780). If the required travel time calculation unit 25 ′ determines that the required travel time for all road links has not been calculated (NO in step S780), the required travel time calculation unit 25 ′ determines the previously extracted road link. Next, the next road link connected to the destination is extracted from the guidance route memory 17 (step S800). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S720.

  On the other hand, when the required travel time calculation unit 25 ′ determines that the required travel time for all road links has been calculated (YES in step S780), the predicted arrival time calculation unit 26 outputs the required travel time calculation unit 25. The arrival time arriving at the destination is obtained by adding up the required travel times of the road links indicated by the required travel time information and adding the total required travel time to the current time acquired by the current time acquisition unit 18. Estimated time is calculated (step S820). When the process of step S820 is completed, the navigation device 100 ′ ends the process in FIG.

  As described above in detail, in the second embodiment, the vehicle is not limited to the case where the vehicle travels in the first area (the area that is usually used for traveling), but the second area (the area that is commonly used for traveling). 1) and 2nd indicating the traveling speed for each day of the week, time zone, road type, and traveling speed range based on the traveling history information acquired during traveling in each region even when the vehicle travels within Each traveling speed information is updated.

  According to the second embodiment configured as described above, when the vehicle travels in the second region (the region that is not used to traveling), the second travel speed information is updated by the travel history information. The travel speed information accurately reflects the user's driving habits in an area where he / she usually travels and is not accustomed. Therefore, compared with the first embodiment that uses the first travel speed information when calculating the required travel time of the road link included in the second region, the required travel of the road link included in the second region. In the second embodiment in which the time is calculated based on the second traveling speed information, the estimated arrival time calculated by the estimated arrival time calculation unit 26 is more accurate.

  In the second embodiment, the required travel time of the road link included in the first area among the road links constituting the guide route is calculated based on the first travel speed information, and the second area Although the example which calculates the required travel time of the road link contained in based on 2nd travel speed information was demonstrated, this invention is not limited to this. For example, among the road links constituting the guidance route, the road is adjacent to the outside of the first area (Tokyo), and the second area (the prefectures adjacent to Tokyo, such as Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, and Yamanashi). A third area overlapping with a part of any one of the prefectures is provided, and the required travel time of the road link included in the third area is based on the first travel speed information instead of the second travel speed information The required travel time of the road link included in the second area that does not overlap with the third area may be calculated based on the second travel speed information.

  Moreover, in the said 2nd Embodiment, driving | running history information when a vehicle drive | worked each prefecture of the 2nd area | region from the driving | running history information memorize | stored in the driving | running history information storage part 20 for every prefecture. Although an example in which all are distinguished and extracted has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to selectively extract only the travel history information of prefectures including the guidance route indicated by the guidance route data stored in the guidance route memory 17.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the navigation device 100 ″ according to the third embodiment. Unlike the navigation device 100 ′ (second embodiment) in FIG. 5, the navigation device 100 ″ according to the third embodiment further includes a similarity determination unit 40. Further, the navigation device 100 ″ includes a first travel speed information storage unit 21, a first update unit 24, a second travel speed information storage unit 30, a second update unit 33, and a required travel time calculation in FIG. Instead of the unit 25 ', a first travel speed information storage unit 21', a first update unit 24 ', a second travel speed information storage unit 30', a second update unit 33 ', a required travel time calculation unit 25 ″ respectively. In FIG. 9, those given the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. 5 have the same functions, and therefore redundant description is omitted here.

  The first travel speed information storage unit 21 ′ includes first initial setting information indicating the travel speed for each day of the week, time zone, road type, and travel speed range that are initially set for the first area, and the vehicle is the first. And the first traveling speed information indicating the traveling speed for each day of the week, time zone, road type, and traveling speed range.

  The second traveling speed information storage unit 30 ′ includes second initial setting information indicating the traveling day for each day of the week, time zone, road type, and traveling speed range that are initially set for the second area, And second traveling speed information indicating the traveling speed for each traveling speed range and the day of the week, the time zone, the road type when traveling.

  Also in this embodiment, the prefecture including the point registered by the user as the home in the navigation device 100 is set as the first region. For example, when a point in Tokyo is registered as a home, Tokyo, which is usually used to travel, is set as a first area in a nonvolatile user memory (not shown). On the other hand, each prefecture (other than Tokyo) that is not familiar with traveling is set in the user memory as the second area.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an information configuration example of the first and second traveling speed information storage units 21 ′ and 30 ′ according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10A shows initial setting information (Tokyo) as first initial setting information stored in the first traveling speed information storage unit 21 ′, and traveling speed information as first traveling speed information. (Tokyo). FIG. 10B shows initial setting information (each prefecture) as second initial setting information stored in the second travel speed information storage unit 30 ′ and travel speed as second travel speed information. It shows information (each prefecture). Similarly to FIG. 2, the first and second initial setting information is also table information of a nested structure having a child table in each cell of the parent table.

  In each cell constituting the child table of the first initial setting information, for example, the road type and legal speed of the road in the first area, the road shape, road conditions such as traffic congestion, and other road characteristics are considered. The estimated traveling speed is stored. Further, in each cell constituting the child table of the second initial setting information, for example, the road type and legal speed of the road in the second region, the road shape, the road and other road characteristics such as a likely traffic situation are displayed. The traveling speed estimated in consideration is stored.

  The first update unit 24 ′ is based on the travel speed information output from the first travel speed calculation unit 23, and among the two pieces of information stored in the first travel speed information storage unit 21 ′, The first traveling speed information is updated instead of the initial setting information. The second update unit 33 ′ is configured to receive two pieces of information stored in the second travel speed information storage unit 30 ′ based on the travel speed information for each prefecture output from the second travel speed calculation unit 32. Among them, the second traveling speed information is updated for each prefecture instead of the second initial setting information. In addition, since the update process of the 1st and 2nd traveling speed information by 1st update part 24 'and 2nd update part 33' is the same as the processing content demonstrated in 2nd Embodiment, it is here. A duplicate description is omitted.

  The similarity determination unit 40 determines whether or not the second initial setting information of each prefecture including the road link of the guide route data stored in the guide route memory 17 is similar to the first initial setting information. In the present embodiment, the similarity determination unit 40 stores the traveling speed stored in several cells (one or more cells, which may be all cells) common in the first initial setting information and the second initial setting information. Are arbitrarily extracted and compared. As a result of the comparison, if the total difference (may be an average value or the like) of the respective traveling speeds compared between the cells of the first initial setting information and the second initial setting information is equal to or less than a predetermined value, similar The determination unit 40 determines that the second initial setting information is similar to the first initial setting information.

  Instead of comparing the total difference (average value, etc.) in each cell, it is determined whether the difference calculated individually for each cell is less than or equal to a predetermined value. If it is less than or equal to a predetermined value, it may be determined that the second initial setting information is similar to the first initial setting information.

  For example, since the second initial setting information (Osaka) has the road characteristics of Osaka Prefecture close to the road characteristics of Tokyo, each cell of the second initial setting information (Osaka) and the first initial setting information ( In each cell of (Tokyo), traveling speeds having values approximate to each other are stored. Therefore, it is determined that the second initial setting information (Osaka) is similar to the first initial setting information (Tokyo).

  On the other hand, in the second initial setting information (Hokkaido), since the road characteristics of Hokkaido are significantly different from the road characteristics of Tokyo, each cell of the second initial setting information (Hokkaido) has the first initial setting information. A travel speed having a value significantly different from the travel speed stored in each cell of information (Tokyo) is stored. Therefore, it is determined that the second initial setting information (Hokkaido) is not similar to the first initial setting information (Tokyo).

  The required travel time calculation unit 25 ″ includes guide route data stored in the guide route memory 17, map data (road link distance information, road type, etc.) stored in the map information storage unit 13, first and first Based on the travel speed information of 2, the required travel time of each road link on the guide route from the current position to the destination is calculated. Specifically, the required travel time calculation unit 25 ″ calculates the required travel time of the road link included in the first area based on the first travel speed information. The required travel time of each road link is the travel speed corresponding to the conditions (that is, the day of the week, the time zone, the road type, and the travel speed range) when the distance indicated by the distance information of the road link travels the road link. It is calculated by dividing by (obtained by referring to the first traveling speed information).

  The required travel time calculation unit 25 ″ is included in the second region (prefectures) when the similarity determination unit 40 determines that the second initial setting information is similar to the first initial setting information. The required travel time of the road link is calculated based on the first travel speed information (Tokyo). The required travel time of each road link is the travel speed corresponding to the conditions (that is, the day of the week, the time zone, the road type, and the travel speed range) when the distance indicated by the distance information of the road link travels the road link. It is calculated by dividing by (obtained by referring to the first traveling speed information).

  The required travel time calculation unit 25 ″ is included in the second area (prefecture) when the similarity determination unit 40 determines that the second initial setting information is not similar to the first initial setting information. The required travel time of the road link is calculated based on the second travel speed information (each prefecture). The required travel time of each road link is the travel speed corresponding to the conditions (that is, the day of the week, the time zone, the road type, and the travel speed range) when the distance indicated by the distance information of the road link travels the road link. It is calculated by dividing by (obtained by referring to the second traveling speed information).

  Next, the calculation operation of the estimated arrival time by the navigation device 100 ″ according to the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation for calculating the estimated arrival time by the navigation device 100 ″ according to the third embodiment. The processing in step S900 in FIG. 11 starts when the required travel time calculation unit 25 ″ accepts a request for calculating the estimated arrival time from the guidance route guide unit 27. It is assumed that information on each road link constituting the guide route is already stored in the guide route memory 17.

  First, the required travel time calculation unit 25 ″ extracts the road link including the current position (that is, the first road link constituting the guidance route to the destination) from the guidance route 17 (step S900). Next, the required travel time calculation unit 25 ″ determines whether or not the extracted road link is included in the first area based on the first area information set in the user memory (step S920). ).

  If the required travel time calculation unit 25 ″ determines that the extracted road link is included in the first region (YES in step S920), the required travel time calculation unit 25 ″ Based on the map data (distance information of the road link) stored in the information storage unit 13 and the first travel speed information stored in the first travel speed information storage unit 21 ′, the required road link is extracted. The travel time is calculated (step S940). Then, the required travel time calculation unit 25 ″ outputs the required travel time information indicating the calculated required travel time of the road link to the expected arrival time calculation unit 26.

  On the other hand, when the required travel time calculation unit 25 ″ determines that the extracted road link is not included in the first area (that is, included in any of the prefectures in the second area) ( In step S920, NO), the similarity determination unit 40 determines whether the second initial setting information of the prefecture in which the extracted road link is included is similar to the first initial setting information (Tokyo) ( Step S960).

  If the similarity determination unit 40 determines that the second initial setting information is similar to the first initial setting information (YES in step S960), the required travel time calculation unit 25 ″ displays the map information storage unit 13. The travel time required for the extracted road link is calculated based on the map data (road link distance information) and the first travel speed information stored in (Step S940). Then, the required travel time calculation unit 25 ″ outputs the required travel time information indicating the calculated required travel time of the road link to the expected arrival time calculation unit 26.

  On the other hand, when the similarity determination unit 40 determines that the second initial setting information is not similar to the first initial setting information (NO in step S960), the required travel time calculation unit 25 '' is the map information storage unit. 13 is calculated based on the map data (distance information of the road link) stored in 13 and the second travel speed information of the prefecture including the extracted road link (step S980). Then, the required travel time calculation unit 25 ″ outputs the required travel time information indicating the calculated required travel time of the road link to the expected arrival time calculation unit 26.

  After the calculation processing of the required travel time in step S940 or S980 is completed, the required travel time calculation unit 25 ″ refers to the guide route data stored in the guide route memory 17 and guides from the current position to the destination. It is determined whether the required travel time of all road links on the route has been calculated (step S1000). If the required travel time calculation unit 25 ″ determines that the required travel time for all road links has not been calculated (NO in step S1000), the required travel time calculation unit 25 ″ extracts the previous time. The next road link connected from the road link to the destination is extracted from the guidance route memory 17 (step S1020). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S920.

  On the other hand, when the required travel time calculation unit 25 ″ determines that the required travel time for all road links has been calculated (YES in step S1000), the predicted arrival time calculation unit 26 determines the required travel time calculation unit 25 ′. The total required travel time of each road link indicated by the required travel time information output from ′ is added, and the total required travel time is added to the current time acquired by the current time acquisition unit 18 to obtain the destination. An estimated arrival time is calculated (step S1040). When the process of step S1040 is completed, the navigation device 100 ″ ends the process in FIG.

  As described above in detail, in the third embodiment, the second initial setting information set in consideration of the road characteristics of the second area is set in consideration of the road characteristics of the first area. When similar to the first initial setting information, the required travel time calculation unit 25 ″ replaces the required travel time of the road link included in the second area with the second travel speed information, and performs the first travel time. Calculation is made based on the speed information.

  According to the third embodiment configured as described above, there is little traveling performance in the second area (for example, Osaka Prefecture), and the second traveling speed information is learned to the content that still reflects the user's driving habits sufficiently. Even if it is not done, it is possible to accurately calculate the estimated arrival time using the first traveling speed information relating to Tokyo, which has road characteristics similar to those of Osaka Prefecture. That is, when the road characteristics of the second area (Osaka) are close to the road characteristics of the first area (Tokyo), that is, the second initial setting information (Osaka) is the first initial setting. When similar to the information (Tokyo), the second travel speed information learned based on the travel history information is likely to approach the first travel speed information learned based on the travel speed information. Therefore, compared with the case where the required travel time in the second region is calculated using the second travel speed information that is insufficiently learned, the second travel speed information is obtained using the sufficiently learned first travel speed information. By calculating the required travel time in the area, it is possible to accurately calculate the estimated arrival time to the destination.

  In the third embodiment, whenever the second initial setting information is similar to the first initial setting information, the second traveling speed information is used instead of the second traveling speed information to obtain the second information. Although the example which calculates the required travel time in the area | region of this was demonstrated, this invention is not limited to this. For example, only when the second initial setting information is similar to the first initial setting information and the number of updates of the second traveling speed information has not reached the predetermined number of times, the second traveling speed information is included in the second traveling speed information. Instead, the first travel speed information may be used.

  After the learning of the second traveling speed information has progressed to some extent based on the traveling history information in the second area, the required traveling time in the second area is calculated using the sufficiently learned second traveling speed information. By calculating, it is possible to calculate the estimated arrival time with higher accuracy than when calculating the required travel time in the second region using the first travel speed information learned in a different region forever. .

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the adjustment operation of the first traveling speed information (and the second traveling speed information) is performed only once when the navigation device 100 (100 ′) is activated. Although described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as long as the navigation device 100 (100 ′) is activated, the adjustment operation of the first travel speed information (and the second travel speed information) may be performed at predetermined time intervals. Alternatively, the adjustment operation of the first traveling speed information (and the second traveling speed information) may be performed every time the traveling history information is accumulated by a predetermined amount.

  In the first to third embodiments, the navigation apparatus 100 (100 ′, 100 ″) has been described with an example including the first travel speed calculation unit 23 (and the second travel speed calculation unit 32). However, it is not always essential to include the first travel speed calculation unit 23 (and the second travel speed calculation unit 32). For example, when the travel history information is information including the average travel speed of each road link constituting the travel locus traveled in the past, it is necessary to bother to calculate the travel speed from the travel history information (travel distance, required time). Therefore, the navigation device 100 (100 ′, 100 ″) may not include the first travel speed calculation unit 23 (and the second travel speed calculation unit 32).

  In addition, each of the first to third embodiments described above is merely an example of implementation in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereto. It will not be. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof.

100, 100 ′, 100 ″ Navigation device 19 Travel history information acquisition unit 21, 21 ′ First travel speed information storage unit 22 First extraction unit 24 First update unit 25, 25 ′, 25 ″ Required travel Time calculation unit 26 Expected arrival time calculation unit 30, 30 ′ Second travel speed information storage unit 31 Second extraction unit 33 Second update unit 40 Similarity determination unit

Claims (6)

A travel history information acquisition unit that acquires the travel history of the vehicle as travel history information;
A first travel speed information storage unit that stores first travel speed information indicating the travel speed for each day of the week, time zone, road type, and travel speed range when the vehicle travels in the first region;
A first extraction unit that selects and extracts only the travel history information when the vehicle travels in the first region from the travel history information acquired by the travel history information acquisition unit;
A first updating unit for updating the first traveling speed information stored in the first traveling speed information storage unit based on the traveling history information extracted by the first extracting unit; A navigation device characterized by that. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein
Second travel for storing second travel speed information indicating the travel speed for each day of the week, time zone, road type, and travel speed range when the vehicle travels in a second region different from the first region A speed information storage unit;
A second extraction unit that selects and extracts only the travel history information when the vehicle travels in the second region from the travel history information acquired by the travel history information acquisition unit;
A second updating unit that updates the second traveling speed information stored in the second traveling speed information storage unit based on the traveling history information extracted by the second extracting unit; A navigation device characterized by comprising. The navigation device according to claim 2, wherein
Of the road links constituting the route from the starting point to the destination, the required travel time of the road link included in the first area is calculated based on the first travel speed information, and the second area A required travel time calculating unit that calculates the required travel time of the included road link based on the second travel speed information;
A navigation device further comprising: an estimated arrival time calculation unit that calculates an estimated arrival time to arrive at the destination by summing up the required travel times of the road links calculated by the required travel time calculation unit. . The navigation device according to claim 3,
The first travel speed information storage unit includes first initial setting information indicating the travel speed for each day of the week, time zone, road type, and travel speed range that are initially set for the first area, and the first travel speed. Memorize speed information,
The second travel speed information storage unit includes second initial setting information indicating the travel speed for each day of the week, time zone, road type, and travel speed range that are initially set for the second area, and the second travel speed. Memorize speed information,
A similarity determination unit for determining whether or not the first initial setting information is similar to the second initial setting information;
When it is determined that the required travel time calculation unit is similar by the similarity determination unit, the required travel time of the road link included in the second area is replaced with the second travel speed information, the first travel speed information. A navigation device that calculates based on the traveling speed information. The navigation device according to claim 4, wherein
An update number determination unit for determining whether or not the number of updates of the second traveling speed information by the second update unit has reached a predetermined number;
The required travel time calculation unit is determined to be similar by the similarity determination unit, and when the update count determination unit determines that the predetermined number of times has not been reached, the required travel time of the second road link is calculated as follows: A navigation device that calculates based on the first travel speed information instead of the second travel speed information. A first step of selecting and extracting only the travel history information when the vehicle has traveled in the first region from the travel history information storage unit storing the travel history of the vehicle as travel history information;
Based on the travel history information extracted in the first step, the first travel that indicates the travel speed for each day of the week, time zone, road type, and travel speed range when the vehicle travels in the first area And a second step of updating the speed information.