JP7252077B2 - Route guidance device, route guidance method, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to technology for route guidance.

A route guidance device that receives map data from a server is required to reduce the amount of communication. For example, in Patent Document 1, a user's fidelity to route guidance is compared with a threshold, and when the fidelity is equal to or less than the threshold, the distribution area of map information is narrowed compared to when the fidelity is greater than the threshold. It is disclosed that the amount of data communication is reduced by

JP 2018-169304 A

However, in the conventional technology described above, although the distribution area of the map information is adjusted according to the fidelity, no consideration is given to reducing the amount of data communication when reroute processing occurs at the time of deviation from the route. Therefore, there is a demand for a technique capable of reducing the amount of data communication during reroute processing.

The present invention can be implemented as the following modes.

(1) According to one aspect of the present invention, a route guidance device is provided. This route guidance device includes a data acquisition unit for acquiring data for guiding a route from a server, a storage unit for storing the acquired data, a position acquisition unit for acquiring a current position, and the data. and a control unit that performs route guidance by controlling a display unit based on the current position, wherein the control unit controls the route guidance already stored in the storage unit when the current position deviates from the route. It is characterized in that whether to reroute using the data or to acquire new data by causing the server to perform reroute is determined according to statistical results regarding occurrence of the reroute.
According to this aspect, rerouting can be performed using data already stored in the storage unit according to the statistical results regarding the occurrence of rerouting, so that the amount of data communication during the rerouting process can be reduced. be possible.
(2) In the route guidance device of the above aspect, the control unit stores the Reroute may be performed using the data already stored.
In such a form, for example, for a user who reroutes many times but tends to quickly return to the original route and thus has a long reroute occurrence interval, Since rerouting can be performed using the stored data, the amount of data communication can be reduced.
(3) In the route guidance device of the above aspect, when the number of occurrences is less than the first threshold value or the occurrence interval is less than the second threshold value, the control unit causes the server to reroute and New data may be obtained.
With such a form, for example, users who tend to follow a route and therefore tend to reroute less frequently, or users who tend not to return to the original route when deviating from a route and therefore tend to reroute at short intervals. In response, route guidance can be provided by causing the server to reroute.
(4) In the route guidance device of the above aspect, when the number of occurrences is less than the first threshold, the control unit obtains the The amount of data to be processed may be increased. With such a form, the amount of data acquired at one time can be adjusted according to the statistical results regarding the occurrence of reroute, so the amount of data communication can be optimized.
The present invention can also be implemented in various forms other than the route guidance device described above. For example, it can be implemented in the form of a route guidance method executed by a computer, a computer program for route guidance, a non-temporary tangible recording medium in which the computer program is recorded, or the like.

1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a route display system; FIG. 4 is a flowchart of route guidance processing in the first embodiment; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of reroute processing using already stored data; 9 is a flowchart of route guidance processing in the second embodiment;

A. First embodiment:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a route display system 10 according to the first embodiment. A route display system 10 includes a route guidance device 100 and a server 200 . For example, the route guidance device 100 can be used by being mounted on a vehicle, and can also be used while walking. In this embodiment, the route guidance device 100 is configured by a smart phone. It should be noted that the route display system 10 can also be regarded as a route guidance device in a broad sense.

The route guidance device 100 can access a server 200 connected to the Internet 80 via a communication carrier 70 including transmitting/receiving antennas, radio base stations, and switching stations. Route guidance device 100 includes first control unit 110 , first communication unit 120 , touch panel 124 , display unit 126 , positioning unit 136 , and storage unit 138 .

The first communication unit 120 has a communication circuit for performing wireless communication with the server 200 via the communication carrier 70 . The first communication unit 120 functions as a data acquisition unit for acquiring data for providing route guidance to the user from the server 200 . Data for route guidance includes, for example, map data, route data, and guidance data. Map data is data representing the shapes of roads and features. Route data is data representing a route from a starting point to a destination. Guidance data is data including images of guide signs and intersections around the route represented by the route data, images of entrances and exits of interchanges, and the like. Data acquired by the first communication unit 120 is stored in the storage unit 138 .

The display unit 126 is a device that displays various information represented by data received from the server 200 . A liquid crystal monitor or an organic EL monitor can be used as the display unit 126 .

The touch panel 124 is superimposed on the display unit 126 and receives a touch operation from the user using a finger or pen. The route guidance device 100 is not limited to the touch panel 124, and may include other input devices such as various buttons, joysticks, and touch pads.

The positioning unit 136 includes a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver, and measures the latitude and longitude of the current position based on radio waves received from artificial satellites that form the GNSS. The positioning unit 136 functions as a position acquisition unit that acquires the current position.

The first control unit 110 is configured as a computer having a CPU and a memory, and controls the entire operation of the route guidance device 100 including the display unit 126 . The first control unit 110 functions as a route guidance unit 112 and a statistical processing unit 114 by executing a computer program recorded in its memory by the CPU. The computer program may be recorded in a non-temporary tangible recording medium such as a memory card.

The route guidance unit 112 performs route guidance by controlling the display unit 126 based on various data received from the server 200 by the first communication unit 120 and the current position acquired by the positioning unit 136 . Specifically, route guidance unit 112 acquires map data around the current position from server 200, displays the map on display unit 126, and further displays the route represented by the route data on the map. Then, based on the relationship between the route and the current position, images representing points to turn left or right, interchanges to get on and off, etc. are displayed based on the guidance data.

In this embodiment, the route guidance unit 112 acquires map data, route data, and guidance data from the server 200 during route guidance processing, which will be described later. As for the map data, the route guidance unit 112 acquires map data around the current position in units of mesh parcels when the current position moves. The route data is acquired by the route guidance unit 112 at the time of initial route search and at the time of reroute. Reroute is a process of setting a new route when the current position deviates from the route. Although the details will be described later, in this embodiment, the initial route search is performed by the server 200 and the reroute is performed by either the server 200 or the route guidance device 100 . The route guidance unit 112 acquires guidance data each time the current position travels a predetermined distance on the route.

The statistical processing unit 114 performs statistical processing regarding occurrence of reroute. Specifically, the statistical processing unit 114 calculates the “occurrence count” and the “occurrence interval” of reroute.

In this embodiment, the "number of occurrences" is the average number of times reroutes occur due to route deviations per route guidance from the departure point to the destination. If the number of reroute occurrences is large, it can be determined that the user tends to miss intersections or tends not to follow routes. If the number of reroute occurrences is small, it can be determined that the user tends to follow the route. Note that the number of occurrences may be an average value of the number of reroute occurrences per predetermined distance.

In the present embodiment, the "occurrence interval" is the average time from occurrence of reroute to occurrence of the next reroute. If the reroute occurrence interval is short, it can be determined that the user has a tendency not to follow the route, and if the reroute occurrence interval is long, it can be determined that the user has a tendency to follow the route. It should be noted that the number of occurrences and the occurrence interval described above are not limited to the average value, and may be determined by other statistical values such as the median value and the mode value.

The server 200 includes a second communication section 202 , a map information storage section 214 and a second control section 204 . The second communication unit 202 is a circuit for communicating with the route guidance device 100 via the Internet 80 .

The map information storage unit 214 stores map data, road network data, and guidance data. Map data represents the shape of landforms and features using polygons. The road network data is data representing the connection state of roads by link data representing roads and node data representing intersections, bends, and dead ends. Node data includes information representing latitude and longitude. The link data includes information indicating the nodes forming the link data and cost information indicating the travel time required to pass through the road. The guidance data represents images of guidance signs, intersections, interchange entrances and exits, and the like. Guidance data is associated with node data or link data.

The second control unit 204 has a CPU and memory, and controls the overall operation of the server 200 . The second control unit 204 functions as a route search unit 206, a map data transmission unit 208, and a guidance data transmission unit 210 by executing computer programs stored in the memory by the CPU. The computer program may be recorded on a non-transitory tangible recording medium such as an optical disc.

When the route search unit 206 receives a route search request or a reroute request from the route guidance device 100 via the second communication unit 202, the route search unit 206 searches for a route according to those requests. More specifically, the route search unit 206 searches the road network stored in the map information storage unit 214 for the route from the departure point to the destination designated by the route search request or the reroute request received from the route guidance device 100. Search using data to generate route data. Algorithms used for route search include the well-known Dijkstra method, A-Star algorithm, and the like. The route search unit 206 transmits the generated route data to the route guidance device 100 .

The map data transmission unit 208 reads the map data around the location requested by the route guidance device 100 from the map information storage unit 214 and transmits the map data to the route guidance device 100 .

The guidance data transmission unit 210 reads the guidance data for the acquisition range requested by the route guidance device 100 from the map information storage unit 214 and transmits the guidance data to the route guidance device 100 .

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of route guidance processing executed in the route guidance device 100. As shown in FIG. This processing is executed when a predetermined operation for starting route guidance is performed on the route guidance device 100 .

In step S10, the first control unit 110 accepts designation of a departure point and a destination from the user, and requests the server 200 to search for a route from the departure point to the destination. If the starting point is not specified, the first control unit 110 may set the current position measured by the positioning unit 136 as the starting point. The route search unit 206 of the server 200 performs a route search using the road network data according to the route search request received from the route guidance device 100 and transmits the route data generated as a result to the route guidance device 100 .

In step S12, if the current timing is the timing for acquiring the guidance data, the first control unit 110 provides guidance within a predetermined acquisition range along the route from the current position. Data transmission is requested to the server 200 and acquired. Immediately after execution of the route guidance process, the first control unit 110 acquires guidance data up to 15 km ahead along the route from the current position. Also, if the current timing is the timing to acquire the map data, the first control unit 110 requests the server 200 to acquire the map data around the current position in units of parcels.

In step S14, the route guidance unit 112 of the first control unit 110 performs route guidance by controlling the display unit 126 using the route data, guidance data, and map data acquired in the processes of steps S10 and S12. . Specifically, the map represented by the map data is drawn on the display unit 126, and the route represented by the route data is drawn on the map. and. When the current position reaches the position corresponding to the guidance data, the guidance data is used to display images representing intersections, traffic signs, interchange entrances and exits, and the like. The route guidance unit 112 may provide guidance by transmitting not only these images but also voices.

In step S16, the first control unit 110 determines whether or not to reroute. Specifically, first control unit 110 determines to reroute when the current position deviates from the route. The first control unit 110 can determine that the vehicle has deviated from the route when the current position has moved away from the route by a predetermined distance (eg, 50 m).

When determining not to reroute in step S16, the first control unit 110 determines in step S18 whether or not the route guidance has ended. The first control unit 110 determines to end the route guidance when the current position reaches the vicinity of the destination or when the user performs a predetermined operation to end the route guidance. When determining to end the route guidance, the first control unit 110 ends the route guidance processing. On the other hand, if it is determined not to end the route guidance, the process returns to step S12 to continue the route guidance process.

When it is determined in step S16 that reroute is to be performed, in step S20 the statistical processing unit 114 of the first control unit 110 performs statistical processing regarding the occurrence of reroute. That is, the latest values of the number of times of occurrence and the occurrence interval described above are calculated.

In step S24, the first control unit 110 determines whether or not the number of occurrences of reroute is greater than the first threshold. The first threshold is predetermined, for example, five times. As described above, the number of occurrences of 5 means that the number of occurrences of reroute is an average of 5 times per route guidance in the present embodiment.

When it is determined in step S24 that the number of reroute occurrences is less than the first threshold, in step S26, the first control unit 110 sets the guidance data acquisition range to a large value. In this embodiment, this value is set to 15 Km. Therefore, the next time the process of step S12 is executed, guidance data is obtained every 15 km.

After setting the acquisition range of the guidance data to a large value, the first control unit 110 transmits a reroute request to the server 200 in step S28. The route search unit 206 of the server 200 searches for a route from the current position of the route guidance device 100 to the destination in accordance with the reroute request, and transmits new route data to the route guidance device 100 . The first control unit receives new route data from the server 200, and thereafter continues route guidance processing using the new route data.

If it is determined in step S24 that the number of reroute occurrences is greater than or equal to the first threshold, then in step S30 the first control unit 110 determines whether or not the reroute occurrence interval is longer than the second threshold. The second threshold is predetermined and is, for example, 15 minutes. As described above, the occurrence interval of 15 minutes means that the average time from reroute to reroute is 15 minutes in this embodiment.

When it is determined in step S30 that the reroute occurrence interval is less than the second threshold, in step S32, the first control unit 110 sets the guidance data acquisition range to a small value. In this embodiment, this value is set to 5 Km. Therefore, the next time the process of step S12 is executed, guidance data is acquired every 5 km.

If it is determined in step S30 that the reroute occurrence interval is greater than or equal to the second threshold value, then in step S34 the first control unit 110 does not issue a reroute request to the server 200, and has already stored in the storage unit 138. Reroute processing is performed using the stored data, and guidance is provided to return to the original route.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of the reroute processing in step S34. In step S34, when the current position deviates from the route R1 acquired from the server 200, the first control unit 110 stores in the storage unit 138 a route R2 returning from the deviation point RP to the route R1. search using the map data available. Since the map data includes data representing the shape of roads, the first control unit 110 obtains a route R2 returning to the original route R1 based on the shape of each road. The first control unit 110 provides guidance for returning to the original route R1 by drawing a route R2 for returning to the original route R1 on the map image represented by the map data. Note that the first control unit 110 may acquire in advance link data and node data around the route represented by the route data, and perform reroute using these data. When the guidance data corresponding to the rerouted route R2 is not stored in the storage unit 138, the first control unit 110 enlarges and displays a portion corresponding to the route R2 from the map data, or Guidance may be provided using general-purpose right/left turn images or the like stored in 138 .

After guiding the vehicle back to the original route in step S34, the first control unit 110 determines in step S18 whether or not the route guidance has ended. If the first control unit 110 determines to end the route guidance, the first control unit 110 ends the route guidance processing. continue.

According to the route guidance device 100 of the present embodiment described above, reroute is performed using data already stored in the storage unit 138 or reroute is performed to the server 200 according to the statistical results regarding the occurrence of reroute. It can be determined whether to acquire new data in conjunction with the Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of data communication during the reroute process, and it is possible to prevent the data already stored in the storage unit 138 from being wasted.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the number of reroute occurrences is equal to or greater than the first threshold and the reroute occurrence interval is equal to or greater than the second threshold, a reroute request is not made to the server 200, and The already stored data is used to guide the route back. For this reason, for example, for a user who tends to miss intersections that should be turned and therefore reroutes many times but tends to quickly return to the original route and thus reroutes occur at long intervals, memory Since route guidance can be performed using the guidance data already stored in the unit 138, the amount of data communication can be reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, when the number of reroute occurrences is less than the first threshold or the reroute occurrence interval is less than the second threshold, a reroute request is made to the server 200 when the vehicle deviates from the route. Therefore, for example, for a user who tends to follow a route and therefore has a small number of occurrences of reroute, or a user who has a tendency not to return to the original route when deviating from the route and therefore has a short reroute occurrence interval, the server 200 Even if the data is obtained from the server 200, it is unlikely that the data will be wasted.

In addition, in the present embodiment, when the number of occurrences of reroute is less than the first threshold, the acquisition range of guidance data to be acquired at one time is made larger than when the number of occurrences of reroute is equal to or greater than the first threshold. Therefore, for example, guidance data can be collectively acquired for users who tend to follow a route and thus reroute less frequently, and for users who frequently deviate from the route and therefore reroute frequently, guidance can be obtained. Data can be acquired in small units. As a result, the amount of data acquired at one time can be adjusted according to the statistical results regarding the occurrence of reroute, so the amount of data communication can be optimized.

B. Second embodiment:
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of route guidance processing in the second embodiment. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, the same step numbers are assigned to the same processing contents as the route guidance processing in the first embodiment shown in FIG. The configuration of the route guidance device 100 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the route guidance device 100 according to the first embodiment, so the description thereof will be omitted.

The route guidance process in the second embodiment differs greatly from the first embodiment in that, in the first embodiment, the guidance data acquisition range is changed based on the statistical results of occurrence of reroutes, whereas in the second embodiment However, the point is that the acquisition range of the guidance data is not changed. Specifically, in the second embodiment, after the statistical processing is performed in step S20, when it is determined that the reroute occurrence interval is equal to or greater than the second threshold in step S25, in step S34, Rerouting is done based on data already stored. If it is determined in step S25 that the reroute occurrence interval is less than the second threshold, a reroute request is issued to the server 200 in step S28.

According to the second embodiment described above, route guidance is performed using data already stored in the storage unit 138 or a reroute request is sent to the server 200 according to the statistical results of reroute when the route deviates. can determine whether to acquire new route data. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of data communication during reroute processing.

In step S25, it may be determined whether or not the number of reroute occurrences is greater than or equal to the first threshold. In this case, for example, if the number of reroute occurrences is greater than or equal to the first threshold, a reroute request is made to the server 200, and if the number of reroute occurrences is less than the first threshold, the number of reroute occurrences is already stored in the storage unit 138. Reroute using data.

C. Other embodiments:
(C-1) In the above-described embodiment, the first control unit 110 adjusts the acquisition range of the guidance data based on statistical results regarding occurrence of reroute. On the other hand, or in addition to this, the first control unit 110 may adjust the acquisition range of the map data based on statistical results regarding reroute occurrence. In addition, the server 200 does not transmit the route data generated as a result of the route search all at once, but transmits it for each distance obtained from the route guidance device 100. The first control unit 110 , the acquisition range of route data may be adjusted based on statistical results regarding reroute occurrences.

(C-2) In the reroute processing shown in step S34 of FIGS. 2 and 4 in the above embodiment, the first control unit 110 does not store the data necessary for the reroute processing in the storage unit 138. Alternatively, the data may be acquired from the server 200 . Also, as in step S28, the server 200 may be requested to reroute.

(C-3) In the statistical processing in the above embodiment, the first control unit 110 may limit the period of statistical processing to, for example, one week or one month, and may periodically delete old statistical information. . By doing so, the latest behavioral characteristics of the user can be reflected in the amount of data communication.

(C-4) In the above embodiment, the first control unit 110 switches the acquisition range of the guidance data between 15 Km and 5 Km according to the statistical result regarding the occurrence of reroute. On the other hand, the first control unit 110 may adjust the acquisition range of the guidance data to a value according to the number of reroute occurrences and the occurrence interval. For example, the smaller the number of reroute occurrences, the larger the guidance data acquisition range, or the shorter the reroute occurrence interval, the smaller the guidance data acquisition range.

(C-5) In the above embodiment, the first control unit 110 calculates the number of reroute occurrences and the occurrence interval in the statistical processing relating to the occurrence of reroute. Instead of or in addition to these values, for example, the first control unit 110 may obtain statistical values of the time from occurrence of reroute to return to the original route and travel distance. In this case, for example, if the time from occurrence of reroute to returning to the original route or traveling distance is short, the first control unit 110 performs reroute using data already stored in the storage unit 138; , makes a reroute request to the server 200 . Through such processing, it is possible to reduce the amount of communication.

(C-6) In the above embodiment, the route guidance device 100 is configured by a smart phone. On the other hand, the route guidance device 100 may be configured by devices such as a car navigation system, a tablet, a personal computer, and a game machine.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various configurations without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in the respective modes described in the Summary of the Invention column may be used to solve some or all of the above problems, or Substitutions and combinations may be made as appropriate to achieve part or all. Also, if the technical features are not described as essential in this specification, they can be deleted as appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Route display system 70... Communication carrier 80... Internet 100... Route guidance apparatus 110... First control part 112... Route guidance part 114... Statistical processing part 120... First communication part 124... Touch panel , 126 Display unit 136 Positioning unit 138 Storage unit 200 Server 202 Second communication unit 204 Second control unit 206 Route search unit 208 Map data transmission unit 210 Guidance data transmission unit 214 ... map information storage unit

Claims (6)

A route guidance device,
a data acquisition unit for acquiring data for route guidance from a server;
a storage unit that stores the acquired data;
a position acquisition unit that acquires a current position;
a control unit that controls a display unit based on the data and the current position to provide route guidance;
with
When the current position deviates from the route, the control unit reroutes using the data already stored in the storage unit, or causes the server to reroute to acquire new data. depending on the statistical results regarding the occurrence of the reroute,
Route guidance device. The route guidance device according to claim 1,
The control unit reroutes using the data already stored in the storage unit when the number of reroute occurrences is equal to or greater than a first threshold and the reroute occurrence interval is equal to or greater than a second threshold. route guidance device. The route guidance device according to claim 2,
The route guidance device, wherein the control unit causes the server to reroute and acquire the new data when the number of occurrences is less than the first threshold value or the occurrence interval is less than the second threshold value. The route guidance device according to claim 3,
The route guidance device, wherein when the number of occurrences is less than the first threshold, the control unit increases the amount of data acquired at one time from the server than when the number of occurrences is equal to or greater than the first threshold. A route guidance method implemented by a computer, comprising:
(A) obtaining data from a server for route guidance;
(B) storing the acquired data in a storage unit;
(C) obtaining a current position;
(D) performing route guidance by controlling a display unit based on the data and the current position;
with
In step (D), when the current position deviates from the route, reroute is performed using the data already stored in the storage unit, or reroute is performed by the server to generate new data. Determining whether to acquire according to statistical results regarding the occurrence of reroute,
Route guidance method. A computer program,
A function to obtain data for route guidance from the server,
a function of storing the acquired data in a storage unit;
A function to obtain the current position,
a route guidance function that performs route guidance by controlling a display unit based on the data and the current position;
is realized on a computer,
When the current position deviates from the route, the route guidance function reroutes using the data already stored in the storage unit, or causes the server to reroute and acquire new data. depending on the statistical results regarding the occurrence of the reroute,
computer program.

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