JP4155776B2 - Navigation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a navigation device, and more particularly, a route for setting a waypoint in addition to a departure point and a destination and searching for an optimum route connecting them, and guiding a driver to the destination along the searched guidance route. It is suitable for use in a navigation device having a guidance function.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, in a navigation device that provides vehicle travel guidance, the current position of a vehicle is detected using a self-contained navigation sensor, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, or the like. Then, map data around the detected current position is read from a recording medium such as a DVD, and a map image is drawn on the display device, and a vehicle position mark is drawn at a predetermined position of the map image. And as the current position changes due to the movement of the vehicle, the vehicle position mark is moved on the screen, or the vehicle position mark is fixed at a predetermined position on the screen and the map image in the vicinity thereof is scrolled, You can see at a glance where the vehicle is currently driving.
[0003]
Most of such navigation devices have a function of setting and guiding a guidance route from a departure point to a destination. This route guidance function automatically searches for the route with the lowest cost connecting from the starting point to the destination using map data by performing a simulation such as the breadth-first search (BFS) method or the Dijkstra method, and the searched route is Memorize as guide route.
[0004]
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. In the route search process, link points on various routes from the starting point to the destination are sequentially added by using as a link a node that connects multiple roads, such as intersections and branches, and a vector connecting adjacent nodes. The route with the lowest total cost is selected.
[0005]
After the guide route is set, the guide route is drawn thickly with a different color so that it can be distinguished from other roads on the map image while the vehicle is running. Also, when the vehicle approaches within a predetermined distance from the guidance intersection on the guidance route, an intersection guide map (an enlarged view of the intersection and an arrow indicating the direction of travel at this intersection) is displayed, and the direction of travel is indicated by voice. The driver is guided to the destination by performing the intersection guidance such as.
[0006]
In many navigation devices equipped with such a route guidance function, a route search can be performed by setting not only a departure point and a destination but also a waypoint to stop on the way to the destination. ing. By searching for a guidance route using this route guidance function and traveling according to the guidance, the driver can reliably reach the destination through the waypoint without knowing the road.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional navigation device, the waypoints and destinations once set by the user are fixed, and the guidance route is set so as to always pass through the set waypoints and destinations. Therefore, even if it becomes unpreferable to pass through the waypoint or destination due to a change in the situation while traveling, it has been forced to pass through the waypoint or destination.
[0008]
For example, in a conventional navigation device, when a VICS traffic jam / accident information is received while traveling on a recommended route (initial route) to a destination, a roundabout route for avoiding traffic jams from the current position is searched. Some have a route search function. In this bypass route search function, the link cost of a congested road is increased, or a congested road is deleted in a pseudo manner and a single route that can be reached in the shortest time is searched. It has become. However, even when searching for a detour route in this way, if a transit point or destination is included in the traffic jam section, the traffic jam may not be avoided as a result.
[0009]
This will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state of conventional automatic congestion avoidance route automatic search. FIG. 13A shows a state in which a route search is performed by setting two waypoints A and B and a destination P, and traffic congestion occurs on the recommended route while traveling on the recommended route searched. (The traffic jam section is indicated by a bold line.) When such a traffic jam information is received by the navigation device, a search for a detour route that avoids the traffic jam section is automatically executed.
[0010]
FIG. 13B shows the search result of this detour route. As shown in FIG. 13B, in this example, since two waypoints A and B are set, the detour route is also set so as to always pass through these waypoints A and B. However, in this example, since the two waypoints A and B are both included in the traffic jam section, the bypass route to be searched is as shown by the dotted line in FIG. The problem that cannot be avoided occurs.
[0011]
In addition, due to traffic jams on the set guidance route, the arrival time at the waypoint or destination may be delayed more than expected. In this case, if the route guidance function is used, it is always possible to reach a transit point or destination, but there may be cases where the business hours of the point have already ended at the time of arrival. In this case, there is a problem that even if the user goes to a transit point or destination, the facility cannot be used.
[0012]
In these cases, it is possible to avoid traffic jams or arrive within business hours by resetting the waypoints and destinations and performing route search again. However, for this purpose, it is necessary to temporarily stop the vehicle and perform complicated operations using a remote controller or the like, which is very troublesome.
[0013]
The present invention has been made in order to solve such problems, and even if the user does not perform troublesome operations, route guidance can be performed by appropriately changing the waypoints and destinations depending on the situation change during traveling, etc. The aim is to be able to do it.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the navigation device of the present invention represents whether or not a point set as a waypoint or a destination can be replaced with another point, and whether or not the point can be replaced. When the alternative information storage means for storing alternative information and the first set waypoint or destination are on the right side in the direction of travel, the alternative point is referred to and the alternative point is determined from the current position of the vehicle on the initial route. If you search for an alternative route through and the alternative point is on the left side in the direction of travel, Or And an alternative route search means for replacing the destination with the alternative point.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(First embodiment)
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the congestion avoiding route search process according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1A, a route search is performed by setting two waypoints A and B and a destination P, and traffic occurs on the recommended route while traveling on the recommended route (initial route) searched for. (Congestion section is indicated by a thick line). This state is the same as the state of FIG.
[0018]
When such a traffic jam information is received by the navigation device, a search for a detour route that avoids the traffic jam section is automatically executed. FIG. 1B shows a search result of this detour route. As shown in FIG. 1B, in this example, the transit points A and B are both included in the traffic jam section. In this case, both the route points A and B are replaced with alternative route points A ′ and B ′ outside the traffic jam section. At this time, the destination P may be replaced with an alternative destination P ′. Then, a congestion avoidance route (route 1 indicated by a one-dot chain line) passing through the alternative points A ′, B ′, and P ′ from the current position of the vehicle on the recommended route is searched for as an alternative route.
[0019]
When a transit point or destination is a bank or a convenience store, it is not absolutely necessary to pass through the transit point or destination, and it is often possible to substitute a point of the same genre. Therefore, in this embodiment, an alternative list as shown in FIG. 2 is prepared in advance. When receiving a trigger such as reception of traffic jam information, it is determined whether or not a transit point or destination is included in the traffic jam section, and if so, the substitutable list is referred to. As a result, at least one of the waypoint and the destination is replaced with an alternative point outside the traffic jam section, and a traffic jam avoidance route is searched on that.
[0020]
In the substitutable list shown in FIG. 2, for each of a plurality of points, the genre, the name of the point, information indicating whether or not other points can be replaced are stored, and the replacement points when the points can be replaced are stored. Stores the information represented. A plurality of substitutable points can be registered for one point.
[0021]
Further, in the present embodiment, a traffic jam avoidance route (route 2 indicated by a dotted line) is searched with the original waypoints A and B and the destination P as they are, without replacing both the waypoints and the destinations with alternative points. Then, the traffic jam avoiding route 1 passing through the alternative points A ′, B ′, and P ′ and the traffic jam avoiding route 2 passing through the original points A, B, and P are both displayed on the navigation screen and presented to the user. The user may select a desired one of the two presented traffic jam avoidance routes 1 and 2.
[0022]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a navigation device for realizing the above-described operation. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 11 denotes a map storage medium such as a DVD-ROM, which stores various map data necessary for map display, route search, and the like. Here, the DVD-ROM 11 is used as a recording medium for storing the map data, but other recording media such as a CD-ROM and a hard disk may be used. A DVD-ROM control unit 12 controls reading of map data from the DVD-ROM 11.
[0023]
Here, the details of the map data recorded on the DVD-ROM 11 will be described. The map data recorded on the DVD-ROM 11 is managed in a hierarchical manner in units called levels, from a high-level map for overlooking a wide area to a low-level map describing a narrow area in detail. Each level is divided in units of rectangular areas called sections partitioned by predetermined longitude and latitude. The map data of each section can be specified and read by specifying the section number.
[0024]
The map data for each section includes a drawing unit composed of various data necessary for map display, a road unit composed of data necessary for various processes such as map matching, route search, route guidance, and detailed data on intersections. And an intersection unit consisting of. The drawing unit described above includes background layer data necessary for displaying buildings or rivers, character layer data necessary for displaying city names, road names, and the like, and a road traffic information center ( VICS conversion layer data necessary for specifying a corresponding road based on traffic jam / accident information sent from a VICS center).
[0025]
The road unit described above corresponds to a road or lane that connects a node corresponding to a point where a plurality of roads intersect, such as an intersection or a branch, and a node on the road and another node adjacent to the node. Includes links. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of this road unit. As shown in the figure, the road unit includes a unit header for identifying the road unit, a connection node table storing detailed data of all nodes, and a node table indicating a storage position of the connection node table. And a link table storing detailed data of links specified by two adjacent nodes.
[0026]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing detailed contents of various tables included in the road unit. As shown in FIG. 5A, the node table stores node records # 0, # 1, # 2,... Corresponding to all nodes included in the partition of interest. Each node record is given a node number from # 0 in the order of arrangement, and this node number indicates the storage position of the connection node table corresponding to each node.
[0027]
In the connection node table, as shown in FIG. Normalized longitude / latitude of the node, b. Node attribute flags, c. Number of connected nodes, d. Number of traffic regulations, e. Connection node record, f. Traffic regulation records, g. Neighbor node record, h. Information such as the storage position and size of the intersection record is included.
[0028]
a. The normalized longitude / latitude of the node indicates a relative position in the longitude direction / latitude direction with respect to the section. b. The node attribute flag includes an intersection node flag indicating whether or not the node is an intersection node, an adjacent node flag indicating whether or not the node is at a boundary with other sections, and the like. c. The number of connected nodes indicates the number of nodes constituting the other end of each link when there is a link having that node as one end of the link.
[0029]
d. The number of traffic regulations indicates the number of traffic regulations when there is traffic regulation such as right turn prohibition or U-turn prohibition on the link connected to the node. e. The connection node record indicates the link number of each link having the node at one end as many as the number of links. f. The traffic regulation record indicates the specific contents of the traffic regulation corresponding to the number of traffic regulations described above, if any.
[0030]
g. The adjacent node record indicates the position of the connection node table of the corresponding node in the adjacent partition when the node is an adjacent node at the boundary with another partition. h. The storage position and size of the intersection record indicate the storage position and size of the corresponding intersection record in the intersection unit when the node is an intersection node.
[0031]
Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, the link table stores link records # 0, # 1, # 2,... Corresponding to all the links included in the focused section. . Each link record is given a link number from # 0 in the order of arrangement, and this link number indicates the storage position of the link record corresponding to each link.
[0032]
Each link record includes a. Link ID, b. Node numbers 1, 2, c. Link distance, d. The cost of the link, e. Road attribute flag, f. Road type flag, g. Route number, h. Information such as a VICS link correspondence flag is included. a. The link ID indicates a code attached to each link mainly for displaying a searched route. b. Node numbers 1 and 2 indicate numbers that specify two nodes located at both ends of the link. c. The link distance indicates the actual distance of the actual road corresponding to the link.
[0033]
d. The cost of a link is obtained by calculating the time required for traveling on the link from the road type or the like, and indicating the time required for passing the link in minutes, for example. Note that the cost of this link may be obtained statistically by calculating the actual required time when traveling on the link, or by calculating from the legal speed of the actual road corresponding to the link. e. The road attribute flag indicates various attributes relating to the link. f. The road type flag indicates a type indicating whether the actual road corresponding to the link is an expressway or a general road.
[0034]
g. The route number indicates the number assigned to the actual road corresponding to the link. h. The VICS link correspondence flag indicates whether or not the link corresponds to a VICS link (link capable of receiving road traffic information) managed by the VICS center. Hereinafter, in order to distinguish from the VICS link, each link included in the road unit is particularly referred to as a “road link”.
[0035]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing detailed contents of the VICS conversion layer included in the drawing unit. As shown in the figure, the VICS conversion layer of the drawing unit includes a VICS conversion table. Further, the VICS conversion table includes a VICS unit header for identifying the VICS conversion table, a road link number table, and a VICS link conversion table. The road link number table indicates in which position in the VICS conversion table the data of each road link is stored in the order of the road link number, and corresponds to all the links in the partition of interest.
[0036]
Also, in the VICS link conversion table, a. A VICS link information flag (including a VICS link length indicating the relative length of the VICS link and the road link, and a vertical line distinction indicating whether the vertical line of the road link of interest is the same or different), b. The number of corresponding VICS links when the road link of interest is viewed from one (other) node to the other (one) node, c. Distance from one (other) node direction of the VICS link to this road link start position (percentage when viewed from the distance of the entire VICS link), d. Information such as the secondary mesh code, VICS link ID, and distance to the VICS link corresponding to each VICS link when viewed from one (other) node of the road link toward the other (one) node is included. .
[0037]
Returning to FIG. Reference numeral 13 denotes a position measuring device that measures the current position of the vehicle, 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.
[0038]
The position calculation CPU calculates the absolute own vehicle position (estimated vehicle position) and vehicle direction based on the relative position and direction data of the own vehicle 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).
[0039]
A map information memory 14 temporarily stores map data read from the DVD-ROM 11 under the control of the DVD-ROM control unit 12. That is, the DVD-ROM control unit 12 inputs information on the current vehicle position from the position measurement device 13 and outputs an instruction to read out map data in a predetermined range including the current vehicle position, thereby displaying a map display and a guidance route. The map data necessary for the search is read from the DVD-ROM 11 and stored in the map information memory 14. Reference numeral 15 denotes an alternative list memory, which stores an alternative list as shown in FIG.
[0040]
Reference numeral 16 denotes a beacon transmitter / receiver, which performs two-way communication with a radio beacon transmitter / receiver mainly installed on a highway via radio waves, and with an optical beacon transmitter / receiver mainly installed on a general road. By performing two-way communication via light between them, the VICS road traffic information sent from the VICS center is received.
[0041]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing traffic jam information included in the VICS road traffic information sent from the VICS center. The traffic jam information packet shown in the figure indicates how much traffic is congested at a specific part of a certain VICS link, and a. A secondary mesh code, b. VICS link number, c. Distance from start point, d. Length, e. It contains various information such as the degree of congestion.
[0042]
a. The secondary mesh code indicates a code for specifying an area including the VICS link. b. The VICS link number indicates a link number corresponding to the road. c. The distance from the start point indicates the distance from the start point (one end of the VICS link) for specifying the position where the traffic jam starts. d. The length indicates a traffic jam section. e. The degree of traffic congestion is specified, for example, as two types of states: “congestion” where the vehicle is below a certain speed and “congestion” where the vehicle hardly moves. By using the traffic information packet shown in FIG. 7 and the VICS conversion layer shown in FIG. 6, the link corresponding to the traffic information can be specified.
[0043]
Reference numeral 17 denotes an operation unit such as a remote controller (remote controller). The user sets various types of information (for example, route guidance destinations and destinations) to the navigation device, and various operations (for example, menu selection operations). , Enlargement / reduction operation, manual map scrolling, numeric input, etc.) are provided. The substitutable list in the alternative list memory 15 can be arbitrarily edited by the user operating the remote controller 15. Reference numeral 18 denotes a remote control interface, which receives an infrared signal corresponding to the operation state from the remote control 15.
[0044]
Reference numeral 19 denotes a processor (CPU), which controls the entire navigation device. Reference numeral 20 denotes a ROM which stores various programs (guide route search processing program, detour route search processing program, etc.). Reference numeral 21 denotes a RAM which temporarily stores data obtained during various processes and data obtained as a result of various processes.
[0045]
The above-described CPU 19 uses the map data stored in the map information memory 14 in accordance with the guidance route search processing program stored in the ROM 20, and guides with the lowest cost from the departure point to the destination via the waypoint. A process for searching for a route (initial route) is performed. Further, according to the detour route search processing program, the CPU 19 refers to the substitutable list and appropriately replaces at least one of the waypoints and the destination with an alternative point, or without replacing it with the alternative point, on the initial route A process of searching for a traffic jam avoiding route that avoids a traffic jam section is also performed.
[0046]
When searching for a traffic jam avoidance route, the traffic jam section indicated by the VICS traffic jam information is determined as the avoidance target link. Then, the avoidance target link is artificially deleted (the avoidance target link is deleted from the intersection network list), and a route having the minimum cost under the condition of the shortest time is searched. In this example, the avoidance target link is artificially deleted and then the congestion avoidance route is searched. However, the link cost of the avoidance target link is multiplied by a constant and the weighted avoidance link is included. You may make it search for a congestion avoidance route.
[0047]
Reference numeral 22 denotes a guidance route memory, which stores data on guidance routes (initial route, detour route) searched by the CPU 19. The guidance route data stores the position of each node and the intersection identification flag indicating whether or not each node is an intersection, corresponding to each node from the departure point to the destination via the waypoint. .
[0048]
23 is an intersection enlarged map memory, which temporarily stores enlarged map data of all guidance target intersections in the guidance route (intersection enlarged map for guiding the vehicle toward the destination, destination and travel direction arrow images). To store. The data of this enlarged intersection view is also appropriately read from the DVD-ROM 11 under the control of the DVD-ROM control unit 12.
[0049]
A display controller 24 generates map image data necessary for display on the display device 30 based on the map data stored in the map information memory 14. A video RAM 25 temporarily stores map image data generated by the display controller 24. That is, the map image data generated by the display controller 24 is temporarily stored in the video RAM 25, and the map image data for one screen is read and output to the image composition unit 29.
[0050]
A menu generation unit 26 generates and outputs a menu image necessary for performing various operations using the remote controller 17. A guidance route generator 27 generates guidance route data using the result of the route search process stored in the guidance route memory 22. In other words, from the guidance route data stored in the guidance route memory 22, data included in the map area drawn in the video RAM 25 at that time is selectively read out, and the predetermined color different from other roads is superimposed on the map image. Draws the guidance path highlighted with When the vehicle approaches within a predetermined distance from the guidance intersection in front of the guidance route, an image of the guidance map of the approaching intersection is generated based on the intersection enlarged map data stored in the intersection enlarged map memory 23. And output.
[0051]
A mark generating unit 28 generates and outputs a vehicle position mark displayed at the vehicle position after the map matching process, various landmarks displaying a gas station, a convenience store, and the like. Note that the map matching process includes the map data read into the map information memory 14, the vehicle position and vehicle orientation data measured by the GPS receiver measured by the position measuring device 13, and the estimated vehicle by the autonomous navigation sensor. This refers to processing for correcting the position of the vehicle on the road of the map data using the position and vehicle direction data.
[0052]
An image composition unit 29 synthesizes and outputs various images. That is, the map image data read out by the display controller 24 is overlaid with the image data output from each of the menu generation unit 26, the guide route generation unit 27, and the mark generation unit 28, and image synthesis is performed. Output to. Thereby, the map information around the vehicle is displayed on the screen of the display device 30 together with the vehicle position mark, the departure place mark, the destination mark, and the like. In addition, a guidance route is displayed on the map, and an enlarged view of the intersection is displayed when the position of the vehicle approaches the guidance intersection.
[0053]
Reference numeral 31 denotes a voice generation unit that utters voices for intersection guidance and various operation guidance. A speaker 32 outputs the sound generated by the sound generator 31 to the outside. Reference numeral 33 denotes a bus, which is used for exchanging data between the various functional configurations described above.
[0054]
Next, the operation of the automatic search for a detour route (congestion avoidance route) by the navigation device of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the entire flow of the automatic avoidance route search process. The flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is executed when the beacon transmitter / receiver 16 receives traffic information from the VICS center as a trigger.
[0055]
In FIG. 8, the CPU 19 determines whether or not the destination or waypoint existing on the initial route is included in the traffic jam section indicated by the VICS traffic jam information (step S1). If not included, a congestion avoiding route is searched without replacing the destination and waypoints with alternative points (step S3), the result is displayed on the display device 30, and the process is terminated.
[0056]
On the other hand, when the destination or waypoint existing on the initial route is included in the traffic jam section, information on whether or not replacement is possible can be performed by referring to the substitutable list as shown in FIG. Based on the above, it is determined whether or not the destination or waypoint can be replaced by another point (step S2). If the alternative is not possible, a congestion avoiding route is searched without replacing the destination and waypoint with alternative points (step S3), the result is displayed on the display device 30, and the process is terminated.
[0057]
If the destination and the waypoint can be replaced, a place that can be replaced is searched with reference to the list of possible replacements (step S4), and the searched alternative point is set as a new destination and waypoint (step S5). ). Then, a traffic jam avoidance route passing through the newly set alternative point is searched (step S6). At this time, a congestion avoidance route passing through the original destination and the waypoint is also searched. In addition, when a plurality of alternative points are searched for one point in the above step S4, in the subsequent steps S5 and S6, a point with the lowest cost is selected from among the plurality of alternative points and the congestion avoiding route is selected. Set.
[0058]
Finally, the congestion avoiding route set to pass through the original transit point or destination on the initial route and the congestion avoiding route set to pass through the alternative point are displayed on the display device 30 (step S7). The process is terminated. In step S7, the original initial route may be displayed on the display device 30 together with the newly set traffic jam avoidance route.
[0059]
In step S2, whether or not substitution is possible is determined based on the information on whether or not substitution is possible, but whether or not substitution is possible is also determined by checking whether the substitution point is outside the traffic jam section. good. That is, even if it is determined that substitution is possible in the information on whether substitution is possible, if the substitution point is also included in the traffic jam section, it is determined that substitution cannot be performed.
[0060]
As described above in detail, according to the first embodiment, when a transit point or destination on the initial route is included in the traffic jam section indicated by the VICS traffic jam information, these are appropriately replaced with alternative points. Thus, a congestion avoiding route passing through the alternative point is searched. This makes it possible to set an alternative route that reliably avoids a traffic jam section without requiring the user to perform troublesome operations such as resetting a waypoint or destination.
[0061]
(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the alternative route search process according to the second embodiment. The guide route indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 9 indicates an initial route as a result of performing a route search by setting two waypoints A and B of a family restaurant and a gas station and a destination P of a ski resort. . A guidance route indicated by a solid line indicates an alternative route to the initial route.
[0062]
As shown in FIG. 9, the business end time of the family restaurant initially set as the first stop A is 23:00, and the estimated arrival time at the stop A calculated based on the distance from the current location and the traveling speed is Suppose that it was 17:50. Therefore, since it is possible to arrive at the family restaurant within business hours, this place is used as it is.
[0063]
On the other hand, the service end time of the gas station initially set as the second stop B is 20:00, and the estimated arrival time at the stop B calculated based on the distance from the current location and the traveling speed is 20:10 Suppose that Therefore, it cannot arrive at this gas station within business hours. In this case, the initial route stop B is replaced with another route stop B ′ belonging to the same genre (gas station), route search is performed again, and route guidance is performed.
[0064]
That is, in this embodiment, an alternative list as shown in FIG. 10 is prepared in advance. Then, every time it calculates the estimated arrival time at the waypoint or destination before departure or during route guidance, it determines whether the estimated arrival time is past the business end time, and if so, refer to the alternative list To do. As a result, at least one of the destination and the waypoint is replaced with an alternative point that can be reached before the business end time, and the route search is performed thereon.
[0065]
In the substitutable list shown in FIG. 10, in addition to the information held in the substitutable list shown in FIG. 2, information related to the business end time of each point is stored.
[0066]
FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a navigation device according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 11, components having the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. 3 have the same functions, and thus redundant description is omitted here.
[0067]
In FIG. 11, reference numeral 34 denotes a point information memory, which stores detailed information on each point set as a waypoint or destination. The detailed information includes information such as the name, address, telephone number, business start time, and business end time of the point. Reference numeral 35 denotes an alternative list memory, which stores an alternative list as shown in FIG.
[0068]
In the present embodiment, the CPU 19 calculates the estimated arrival time at the waypoint and the destination at the time of the first route search and every appropriate timing when the route guidance is executed along the initial route set at that time. calculate. This can be obtained from distance information and travel speed information included in the map data. The CPU 19 compares the calculated estimated arrival time with the business end time stored in the point information memory 34 regarding the waypoint and the destination, and determines whether the predicted arrival time passes the business end time.
[0069]
Here, when it is determined that the estimated arrival time has passed the business end time, referring to the substitutable list as shown in FIG. 10 stored in the alternative list memory 35, the estimated arrival time has passed the business end time. Replace the expected destination or waypoint with an alternative location that can be reached before the closing time. And the guidance route which passes along the newly set alternative point is searched, and route guidance is performed based on the result.
[0070]
Next, the alternative route automatic search operation by the navigation device of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the overall flow of the alternative route automatic search processing according to this embodiment. The flowchart shown in FIG. 12 is executed when the CPU 19 calculates the estimated arrival time at the waypoint and the destination.
[0071]
In FIG. 12, the CPU 19 compares the estimated arrival time calculated for the initial destination and waypoint with the business end time stored in the point information memory 34 to estimate the arrival time at the destination and waypoint. It is determined whether or not those business end times have passed (step S11). If the estimated arrival time does not pass the business end time, the process is terminated without doing anything thereafter (the current route guidance is continued).
[0072]
On the other hand, when the estimated arrival time passes the business end time, the destination and waypoint are determined based on the information on the possibility of substitution by referring to the substitution possible list as shown in FIG. 10 stored in the substitution list memory 35. It is determined whether or not can be replaced with another point (step S12). If it cannot be substituted, a message to that effect is displayed on the display device 30 (step S15), and the process is terminated.
[0073]
If the destination or waypoint can be replaced, a place that can be replaced is searched with reference to the list of possible replacements (step S13). Then, the business end time registered in the substitutable list for the searched alternative point is compared with the newly calculated estimated arrival time for the alternative point, and whether or not the alternative point can arrive before the business end time. Is determined (step S14).
[0074]
Here, it is determined whether arrival is possible before the business end time by comparing the estimated arrival time newly calculated for the alternative point with the business end time registered in the alternative list. It may be determined whether it is possible to arrive before the business end time by comparing the point with the business end time stored in the point information memory 34. In this case, information on the business end time is not required in the substitutable list, and may be the same as that shown in FIG.
[0075]
In step S14, if it is predicted that the alternative point cannot be reached before the business end time, a message to that effect is displayed on the display device 30 (step S15), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, when it is predicted that the alternative point can be reached before the business end time, the alternative point is set as a new destination and waypoint (step S16). Then, an alternative route that passes through the newly set alternative point is searched (step S17), the result is displayed on the display device 30 (step S18), and the process is terminated.
[0076]
In the second embodiment, an example is described in which an alternative route is searched according to whether the estimated arrival time at the waypoint or destination on the initial route passes the business end time. An alternative route may be searched according to whether the estimated arrival time is before the business start time. Alternatively, an alternative route may be searched according to whether the waypoint and the destination are closed days.
[0077]
As described above in detail, according to the second embodiment, when the estimated arrival time at the waypoint or the destination on the initial route is outside the business hours, they are appropriately replaced with alternative points, It tries to search for alternative routes that pass through the point. This makes it possible to set an alternative route that passes through the waypoints and destinations that can be reached within business hours, without the user performing troublesome operations such as resetting the waypoints and destinations.
[0078]
In the first and second embodiments, depending on whether or not a transit point or destination is included in the traffic jam section, whether or not the expected arrival time at the transit point or destination is within business hours. Although the example which sets an alternative point was demonstrated, this invention is not limited to this example.
[0079]
For example, the alternative point may be set according to whether the waypoint or the destination is on the left hand side or the right hand side in the traveling direction. For example, when the first set stopover point is on the right hand side in the traveling direction, an alternative point on the left hand side in the traveling direction is searched and replaced in the vicinity. This is because the waypoints and destinations on the left-hand side in the direction of travel are easier to enter and exit.
[0080]
Moreover, you may make it set an alternative point according to the complexity of the bank, convenience store, etc. which were set to the waypoint and the destination. For example, when the first set waypoint is congested, an alternative location near the uncongested location is searched and replaced. In this case, it is necessary to receive the congestion information of the waypoint and the destination by some means. This includes, for example, using a mobile phone network to receive congestion information via a mobile phone and providing it to a navigation device, or using a communication means such as a so-called wireless LAN, Bluetooth, or a specific power-saving radio. For example, a method of receiving directly at the terminal can be considered.
[0081]
Alternatively, an alternative point may be set according to whether there is a parking lot at the waypoint or at the destination. For example, if there is no parking lot at the first stop or destination you set up, or if the parking lot is full, search for an alternative location near the parking lot that is empty and replace it. is there. In this case as well, the navigation device needs to receive parking space availability information by some means.
[0082]
In addition, each of the embodiments described above is merely an example of a specific example for carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereto. It is. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof.
[0083]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention stores in advance information on alternative points of points set as transit points or destinations as an alternative list, refers to the alternative information when a predetermined trigger is given, Since the alternative route is searched by replacing at least one of the place and the waypoint as appropriate, the situation changes while driving without the user having to perform troublesome operations such as resetting the waypoint and destination. It is possible to perform route guidance by appropriately changing the waypoints and destinations.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a congestion avoidance route search process according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a substitutable list according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a navigation device according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a road unit included in map data recorded on a DVD-ROM.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing detailed contents of various tables included in a road unit.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing detailed contents of a VICS conversion layer included in a drawing unit for map data recorded on a DVD-ROM.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing traffic jam information included in VICS information.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an overall flow of a congestion avoiding route automatic search process according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an outline of an alternative route search process according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a substitutable list according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a navigation device according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an overall flow of an alternative route automatic search process according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a conventional traffic jam avoidance route search process;
[Explanation of symbols]
11 DVD-ROM
12 DVD-ROM controller
13 Position measuring device
14 Map information memory
15 Alternative list memory
16 Beacon transceiver
17 Remote control
18 Remote control interface
19 CPU
20 ROM
21 RAM
22 Guide route memory
23 Enlarged intersection memory
24 display controller
25 Video RAM
26 Menu generator
27 Guide route generator
28 Mark generator
29 Image composition part
30 Display device
31 Voice generator
32 Speaker
33 Bus
34 point information memory
35 Alternative list memory

Claims (1)

Substitution information storage means for storing substitution information indicating whether or not a point set as a transit point or destination can be substituted by another point, substitution information indicating a substitution point when substitution is possible,
When the first set stop or destination is on the right side in the direction of travel, refer to the alternative information, search for an alternative route that passes the alternative point from the current position of the vehicle on the initial route, and A navigation device comprising: an alternative route search means for replacing the route point or destination with the alternative point when the vehicle is on the left side in the direction of travel.

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