JP2016156741A - Navigation device, navigation method, computer program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation device capable of searching an optimal guiding route according to a traveling state of other vehicles traveling in a roundabout.SOLUTION: A navigation device 10 includes: a guiding route storing portion 13 which stores a guiding route searched by a route searching portion 12; a cost storing portion 14 which refers to the guiding route of the guiding route storing portion 13, and stores costs associated with an entry link entering a roundabout existing on the guiding route; a collecting portion 17 which collects a traveling state of other vehicles traveling in the roundabout; a cost correcting portion 18 which corrects the costs of the entry link stored in the cost storing portion 14 on the basis of the traveling state collected by the collecting portion 17; and a re-route portion 19 which refers to the guiding route of the guiding route storing portion 13, and re-routes the guiding route on the basis of the costs of the entry link corrected by the cost correcting portion 18.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device, a navigation method, a computer program, and a recording medium.

In Europe and the United States, roundabouts (RAB: RoundABout) are already in widespread use, and roundabout operations have begun throughout Japan.
A roundabout is a type of circular intersection and is sometimes called a roundabout or a rotary intersection.
However, while roundabouts are expected to have effects such as prevention of traffic accidents and mitigation of traffic congestion, there are concerns that the driver may be unfamiliar with driving roundabouts.
Here, the normal navigation system searches the guidance route with the lowest cost from the viewpoint of distance or time and provides it to the driver.
In the roundabout, there is no signal, and there is no right turn in Japan where the vehicle passes on the left side. For this reason, in a normal navigation system, the roundabout passing cost is set low.
By the way, the ease of the interchange merge on the expressway is greatly influenced by the traveling state of other vehicles traveling on the main road. Similarly, the ease of entering the roundabout from the approach road is greatly influenced by the traveling state of other vehicles traveling in the roundabout.
For this reason, drivers who are unfamiliar with roundabouts should be careful to set the roundabout passing cost low when entering the roundabout. I can't say that.

  In relation to such a technique, Patent Document 1 aims to search for guidance routes that can suppress the passage of roundabouts. The number of roads connected to roundabouts and the number of connected roads between incoming and outgoing routes to roundabouts. The roundabout cost correction value is determined according to the number of roundabout lanes, the roundabout cost is set based on the correction value, and the guidance route to the destination is searched based on the set cost. Technology is disclosed.

JP 2009-41927 A

The technique of Patent Document 1 does not take into account the traveling state of other vehicles traveling in the roundabout, and therefore it is sufficient to search for an optimum guidance route (guidance route) for a driver unfamiliar with traveling around the roundabout. There is a problem that cannot be done.
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has the following objects.
(1) Provided is a navigation device capable of searching for an optimum guide route according to the traveling state of another vehicle traveling in a roundabout.
(2) Provided is a navigation method capable of searching for an optimum guide route according to the traveling state of another vehicle traveling in a roundabout.
(3) A computer program for causing a computer system to function so as to realize the navigation device of (1) is provided.
(4) Provided is a computer-readable recording medium on which the computer program of (3) is recorded.

  As a result of intensive studies in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventors have arrived at each aspect of the present invention as follows.

<First aspect>
The first aspect is
A guide route storage unit for storing the guide route searched by the navigation system;
A cost storage unit that refers to the guide route of the guide route storage unit and stores a cost associated with an approach link that enters a roundabout existing on the guide route; and
A collection unit that collects a traveling state of another vehicle traveling in the roundabout;
A cost correction unit that corrects the cost of the approach link stored in the cost storage unit based on the traveling state collected by the collection unit;
A navigation apparatus comprising a reroute unit that refers to the guide route of the guide route storage unit and reroutes the guide route based on the cost of the approach link corrected by the cost correction unit.

The ease of entry from the approach road to the roundabout is greatly influenced by the running state of other vehicles that run in the roundabout. The traveling state of the other vehicle includes, for example, at least one information of the density of the other vehicle, the number of other vehicles, and the vehicle speed of the other vehicle. Specifically, the higher the density of other vehicles traveling in the roundabout, the greater the number of other vehicles, and the higher the vehicle speed of the other vehicles, the more difficult it is to enter the roundabout from the approach road. .
Therefore, in the first aspect, for example, when the density of other vehicles traveling in the roundabout is higher, the number of the other vehicles is larger, and the speed of the other vehicles is higher, the cost of the approach link is increased. Correct to increase costs. By appropriately correcting the cost, the reroute unit can reroute the optimum guide route according to the traveling state of the other vehicle traveling in the roundabout.
Therefore, according to the first aspect, it is possible to provide a navigation device capable of searching for an optimum guide route according to the traveling state of another vehicle traveling in the roundabout.

<Second aspect>
The second aspect is the first aspect,
A current position acquisition unit for acquiring the current position of the host vehicle;
The cost correction unit obtains a time or distance from the current position of the host vehicle acquired by the current position acquisition unit to reach the roundabout, and when the time or distance becomes a predetermined time or a predetermined distance. The cost of the entry link is corrected.

When the time or distance from the current position of the host vehicle to the roundabout is too large (that is, when the host vehicle is far from the roundabout), the cost correction unit corrects the cost of the approach link. When collecting, the traveling state of the other vehicle traveling in the roundabout collected by the collecting unit and the traveling state of the other vehicle traveling in the roundabout when the host vehicle reaches the roundabout. May be greatly different, and the cost of the approach link may not be corrected appropriately.
Therefore, in the second aspect, if the predetermined time or the predetermined distance is appropriately set, the cost correction unit can correct the cost of the approach link when the host vehicle is sufficiently close to the roundabout. Difference between the traveling state of the other vehicle traveling in the roundabout collected by the collecting unit and the traveling state of the other vehicle traveling in the roundabout when the host vehicle reaches the roundabout. Is sufficiently small, the cost of the approach link can be corrected appropriately. In addition, what is necessary is just to obtain | require an optimal value experimentally about the said predetermined time and the said predetermined distance by performing the simulation which makes the own vehicle approach to the said roundabout.

<Third aspect>
The third aspect is the first aspect or the second aspect,
It further comprises a storage unit for storing experience values based on the experience of the driver traveling roundabout,
The cost correction unit corrects the cost of the approach link based on the experience value stored in the storage unit.

  In the third aspect, the greater the experience value, the more familiar the driver is with the roundabout travel, so by correcting so that the cost of the approach link decreases as the experience value increases, In addition to the traveling state of other vehicles traveling in the roundabout, it is possible to reroute the optimum guidance route according to the experience value.

<Fourth aspect>
A fourth aspect is a navigation method realized as a function of a computer,
A guide route storing step in which the guide route storing unit stores the guide route searched by the navigation system;
A cost storage unit that stores the cost associated with the approach link that enters the roundabout existing on the guide route with reference to the guide route of the guide route storage step;
A collecting step for collecting a traveling state of another vehicle traveling in the roundabout;
A cost correcting unit that corrects the cost of the approach link stored in the cost storing unit based on the traveling state collected in the collecting step;
The reroute unit includes a reroute step of rerouting the guide route based on the cost of the approach link corrected by the cost correction step with reference to the guide route of the guide route storing step.

<5th aspect>
The fifth aspect is the fourth aspect,
The current position acquisition unit further includes a current position acquisition step of acquiring the current position of the host vehicle,
In the cost correction step, a time or distance from the current position of the host vehicle acquired in the current position acquisition step to the roundabout is obtained, and when the time or distance becomes a predetermined time or a predetermined distance. The cost of the entry link is corrected.

<Sixth aspect>
The sixth aspect is the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect,
And further comprising an accumulation step of accumulating experience values based on the experience of the driver driving roundabout,
In the cost correction step, the cost of the approach link is corrected based on the experience value accumulated in the accumulation step.

<About the fourth to sixth aspects>
Since each of the fourth to sixth aspects is a navigation method using the navigation device of the first to third aspects, the same action / effect as the first to third aspects can be obtained. .
Therefore, according to the fourth to sixth aspects, it is possible to provide a navigation method capable of assisting the driver in understanding the approach to the roundabout.

<Seventh and eighth aspects>
In the seventh aspect, it is possible to provide a computer program for causing a computer system to function so as to realize the navigation device of the first to third aspects.
In the eighth aspect, a computer-readable recording medium in which the computer program of the seventh aspect is recorded can be provided.

The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the navigation apparatuses 10 and 30 of 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment which actualized this invention. The flowchart which shows an example of the navigation method using the navigation apparatus 10 of 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the navigation method using the navigation apparatus 30 of 2nd Embodiment. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the navigation apparatus 40 of 3rd Embodiment which actualized this invention. The flowchart which shows an example of the navigation method using the navigation apparatus 40 of 3rd Embodiment. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the navigation apparatus 100 of the Example of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments and examples embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment and example, the same constituent members and constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description of the same contents is omitted.

<First Embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation device 10 of the first embodiment includes a map database unit 11, a route search unit 12, a guide route storage unit 13, a cost storage unit 14, a current position acquisition unit 15, an interface unit 16, and a collection unit. 17, the cost correction | amendment part 18, the reroute part 19, the display part 20, etc. are provided, and are mounted in a vehicle (automobile).

Map data is stored in the map database unit 11. The map data includes information on road elements for defining map information such as links and nodes, information drawn on a map, and the like. Note that road attribute information indicating that the roundabout is configured, ID (IDentification) for identifying the roundabout, and the like are associated with the link configuring the roundabout ring road.
The route search unit 12 refers to the map data in the map database unit 11 and searches for a guidance route that is a route from the departure point or the current position to the destination, so that the lowest cost can be obtained from the viewpoint of distance or time. Search for guidance routes. A general method may be used as the route search method.

The guide route storage unit 13 stores the guide route searched by the route search unit 12. In the guide route, shapes such as links may be stored together. Further, an ID for identifying a roundabout, a roundabout entry point, a leaving point, a roundabout running section, and the like may be assigned to the roundabout running portion on the guidance route.
The cost storage unit 14 refers to the guide route of the guide route storage unit 13 and stores the cost associated with the approach link entering the roundabout existing on the guide route.

The current position acquisition unit 15 refers to the map data of the map database unit 11 and acquires the current position information of the host vehicle specified by the vehicle or a GPS (Global Positioning System) function provided in the navigation device 10.
The interface unit 16 connects the navigation device 10 to a wireless network, and the traveling state of the vehicle on the road is determined by various communication technologies (vehicle-to-vehicle communication, road-to-vehicle communication, center-type navigation information transmitted from the traffic control center, etc.). get.
The collection unit 17 collects the traveling state of other vehicles traveling in the roundabout acquired by the interface unit 16. For example, when the current position of the host vehicle acquired by the current position acquisition unit 15 reaches the roundabout located on the guidance route searched by the route search unit 12, the collection unit 17 The traveling state of other vehicles traveling on the vehicle can be collected. The traveling state of the other vehicle includes, for example, at least one information of the density of the other vehicle, the number of other vehicles, and the vehicle speed of the other vehicle.

The cost correction unit 18 corrects the cost of the approach link stored in the cost storage unit 14 based on the traveling state collected by the collection unit 17. This is because the ease of entering the roundabout from the approach road is greatly influenced by the traveling state of other vehicles traveling in the roundabout.
Specifically, the higher the density of other vehicles traveling in the roundabout, the greater the number of other vehicles, and the higher the vehicle speed of the other vehicles, the more difficult it is to enter the roundabout from the approach road. . Therefore, correction is made to increase the cost of the approach link as the density of other vehicles traveling in the roundabout increases, the number of other vehicles increases, and the vehicle speed of the other vehicles increases.
Here, the method for correcting the cost of the approach link is, for example, when the state value of the running state of the other vehicle (the density of the other vehicle, the number of other vehicles, the vehicle speed of the other vehicle) exceeds a threshold value. 14 may increase the initial value of the cost of the approach link saved by a predetermined value. Further, a plurality of the threshold values may be set, and the cost of the approach link may be increased stepwise as the state value increases. Further, as a method for correcting the cost of the approach link, a function formula or a data table may be set such that the cost of the approach link increases as the state value increases. The threshold value, the predetermined value, the function formula, and the data table may be set experimentally by executing a simulation that causes the host vehicle to enter the roundabout.

The reroute unit 19 refers to the guide route of the guide route storage unit 13 and re-routes the guide route by re-searching the guide route with the lowest cost based on the cost of the approach link corrected by the cost correction unit 18. To do. Therefore, by appropriately correcting the cost of the approach link by the cost correction unit 18, the reroute unit 19 can reroute the optimum guide route according to the traveling state of the other vehicle traveling in the roundabout. it can.
The display unit 20 visually displays various information such as the guidance route rerouted by the reroute unit 19, the current position of the vehicle, and the position of the roundabout.

  In addition, it is good also as a navigation system which makes a part of component of the navigation apparatus 10 executable with a server apparatus. The configuration that can be executed by the server device is not particularly limited. For example, the collection unit 17, the cost correction unit 18, and the reroute unit 19 can be used.

Next, an example of a navigation method using the navigation device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, in step 1 (guide route storing step), the guide route storing unit 13 stores the guide route searched by the route searching unit 12.
In step 2 (cost storage step), the cost storage unit 14 refers to the guide route of the guide route storage unit 13 and stores the cost associated with the approach link entering the roundabout existing on the guide route.
In step 5 (collection step) following step 2, the collection unit 17 collects the traveling state of other vehicles traveling in the roundabout acquired by the interface unit 16.
In step 6 (cost correction step), the cost correction unit 18 corrects the cost of the approach link stored in the cost storage unit 14 based on the traveling state collected by the collection unit 17.
In step 7 (reroute step), the reroute unit 19 refers to the guide route of the guide route storage unit 13 and re-searches the guide route with the lowest cost based on the cost of the approach link corrected by the cost correction unit 18. To reroute the guide route.
In step 8, the display unit 20 visually displays various information including the guidance route rerouted by the reroute unit 19, and then returns to step 1.

Second Embodiment
As shown in FIG. 1, the configuration of the navigation device 30 of the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the navigation device 10 of the first embodiment.
The navigation device 30 of the second embodiment differs from the navigation device 10 of the first embodiment in that the cost correction unit 18 reaches the roundabout from the current position of the host vehicle acquired by the current position acquisition unit 15. And the cost of the approach link is corrected when the time or distance reaches a predetermined time or distance. In addition, what is necessary is just to obtain | require an optimal value experimentally about the said predetermined time and the said predetermined distance by performing the simulation which makes the own vehicle approach to the said roundabout.

Next, an example of a navigation method using the navigation device 30 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
Steps 1, 2, 5-8 of the second embodiment have the same operation content as steps 1, 2, 5-8 of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.
In step 3 (current position acquisition step) following step 2, the current position acquisition unit 15 acquires the current position of the host vehicle, and then proceeds to step 5.

<Third Embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 4, the navigation device 40 according to the third embodiment includes a map database unit 11, a route search unit 12, a guide route storage unit 13, a cost storage unit 14, a current position acquisition unit 15, an interface unit 16, and a collection unit. 17, a cost correction unit 18, a reroute unit 19, a display unit 20, a storage unit 41, and the like, which are mounted on a vehicle.
The configuration of the navigation device 40 of the fourth embodiment is different from the configuration of the navigation device 10 of the first embodiment in that an accumulation unit 41 is added.

The accumulating unit 41 accumulates experience values based on the experience of the driver traveling roundabout. The experience values include those exemplified below.
[Example 1] Number of times the driver has traveled a roundabout somewhere in the past.
[Example 2] The number of times the driver has traveled the roundabout in the past in the guidance route storage unit 13 on the guidance route.
[Example 3] Number of times the driver has been able to exit the exit route smoothly without leaving the exit route guided by the guidance route when driving in a roundabout anywhere in the past. .

[Example 4] In each of the above examples, for a roundabout that is difficult to travel, an appropriate number may be added to the number of times (experience value). Roundabouts that are difficult to travel include, for example, those that have a large number of connecting roads to the roundabout, those that have a large number of connecting roads to and from the roundabout, and those that have a large number of roundabout lanes.
Here, the number of times is added, for example, when the roundabout travel difficulty value (the number of roads connected to the roundabout, the number of roads connected to the roundabout, the number of lanes of the roundabout) exceeds a threshold value. A predetermined number may be added to the number of times. Further, a plurality of threshold values may be set, and the number of times may be increased stepwise as the driving difficulty value increases. In addition, as a method of adding the number of times, a function formula or a data table that increases the number of times according to an increase in the driving difficulty value may be set. Note that the threshold value, the predetermined number, the function formula, and the data table may be set experimentally by executing a simulation of entering the host vehicle into the roundabout.

  The cost correction unit 18 corrects the cost of the approach link stored in the cost storage unit 14 based on the traveling state collected by the collection unit 17 and the experience value stored in the storage unit 41. . Specifically, the greater the experience value, the more familiar the driver is with the roundabout travel, so that the greater the experience value, the less the cost of the approach link is corrected.

Next, an example of a navigation method using the navigation device 40 of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
Steps 1, 2, 5-8 of the third embodiment have the same operation content as steps 1, 2, 5-8 of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.
In step 4 (accumulation step) following step 2, the accumulation unit 41 accumulates experience values based on the experience of the driver traveling roundabout, and then proceeds to step 5.

FIG. 6 shows a navigation device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
A navigation device 100 shown in FIG. 6 includes a control unit 101, a memory unit 102, an input unit 103, an output unit 104, and the like in addition to the units 11 to 20, 41 of the navigation device 40 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. .
Each unit 11 to 20, 41, 101, 102 of the navigation device 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an input / output device, an internal storage device (ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). ), SSD (Solid State Drive), etc.).
The navigation device 100 loads a computer program stored (recorded) in the internal storage device onto the CPU, and executes various arithmetic processes according to the computer program, whereby each unit of the navigation device 100 performs the above-described operation.

By the way, the computer program is stored not in the internal storage device but in an external storage device having a computer-readable recording medium, and the computer program is transferred from the external storage device via an input / output device as necessary. You may make it load and use for CPU.
Incidentally, computer-readable recording media include, for example, semiconductor memory (USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, SD memory card, etc.), HD (Hard Disk), optical disc (CD-ROM, DVD, Blu-ray disc, etc.), There are magneto-optical disks, phase change disks, magnetic disks, magnetic tapes, and the like. The names of specific examples of the recording medium include registered trademarks.
Alternatively, the navigation device 100 may be connected to an Internet line (not shown), and the computer program may be loaded from the Internet line to the CPU via the input / output device as needed.

Each part 12,15-19,101 of the navigation apparatus 100 is mainly comprised by said CPU. Each unit 11, 13, 14, 41, 102 is mainly constituted by the internal storage device.
The control unit 101 controls the operations of the units 11 to 20, 41, and 102 to 104 of the navigation device 100.
The input unit 103 is used for inputting a driver command, and specifically, used for inputting a destination or the like in a route search. For the input unit 103, for example, a mouse, a light pen, a pointing device such as a touch panel that cooperates with display contents of a display, a voice input device including a keyboard, a microphone, and the like can be used.
The output unit 104 includes a display as the display unit 20. Note that the output unit 104 can also display various types of information as audio.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment and the Example of this invention were described, you may implement combining 2 or more embodiment of each said embodiment (example), and each said embodiment (example) may be implemented. One embodiment may be partially implemented, and two or more embodiments of the above-described embodiments (examples) may be partially combined, and in those cases The combined actions and effects of the embodiments (examples) can be combined, or a synergistic effect can be obtained.

  The present invention is not limited to the description of each aspect, each embodiment, and example. Various modifications are also included in the present invention as long as those skilled in the art can easily conceive without departing from the scope of the claims. The contents of publications and the like specified in the present specification are all incorporated by reference.

10, 30, 40... Navigation device 10
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Map database part 12 ... Route search part 13 ... Guidance route preservation | save part 14 ... Cost preservation | save part 15 ... Current position acquisition part 16 ... Interface part 17 ... Collection part 18 ... Cost correction part 19 ... Reroute part 20 ... Display part 41 ... Accumulator

Claims (8)

A guide route storage unit for storing the guide route searched by the navigation system;
A cost storage unit that refers to the guide route of the guide route storage unit and stores a cost associated with an approach link that enters a roundabout existing on the guide route; and
A collection unit that collects a traveling state of another vehicle traveling in the roundabout;
A cost correction unit that corrects the cost of the approach link stored in the cost storage unit based on the traveling state collected by the collection unit;
A reroute unit that refers to the guide route of the guide route storage unit and reroutes the guide route based on the cost of the approach link corrected by the cost correction unit;
A navigation device comprising: A current position acquisition unit for acquiring the current position of the host vehicle;
The cost correction unit obtains a time or distance from the current position of the host vehicle acquired by the current position acquisition unit to reach the roundabout, and when the time or distance becomes a predetermined time or a predetermined distance. , To correct the cost of the approach link,
The navigation device according to claim 1. It further comprises a storage unit for storing experience values based on the experience of the driver traveling roundabout,
The cost correction unit corrects the cost of the approach link based on the experience value stored in the storage unit.
The navigation device according to claim 1 or 2. A navigation method realized as a function of a computer,
A guide route storing step in which the guide route storing unit stores the guide route searched by the navigation system;
A cost storage unit that stores the cost associated with the approach link that enters the roundabout existing on the guide route with reference to the guide route of the guide route storage step;
A collecting step for collecting a traveling state of another vehicle traveling in the roundabout;
A cost correcting unit that corrects the cost of the approach link stored in the cost storing unit based on the traveling state collected in the collecting step;
A reroute step in which a reroute unit refers to the guide route in the guide route storing step and reroutes the guide route based on the cost of the approach link corrected in the cost correction step;
A navigation method comprising: The current position acquisition unit further includes a current position acquisition step of acquiring the current position of the host vehicle,
In the cost correction step, a time or distance from the current position of the host vehicle acquired in the current position acquisition step to the roundabout is obtained, and when the time or distance becomes a predetermined time or a predetermined distance. , To correct the cost of the approach link,
The navigation method according to claim 4. And further comprising an accumulation step of accumulating experience values based on the experience of the driver driving roundabout,
In the cost correction step, the cost of the approach link is corrected based on the experience value accumulated in the accumulation step.
The navigation method according to claim 4 or 5.   The computer program for functioning a computer system as said each part in the navigation apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-3.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the computer program according to claim 7 is recorded.

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