JPH1019591A - Route search system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a route search system which compares communication conditions on a plurality of routes, and judges and decides a recommendable route capable of keeping the most favarable communication condition, on the occasion of searching for a running route from the position of the car up to a destination. SOLUTION: Own car position information obtained by a GPS antenna 1, a gyro sensor 2, a distance sensor 3, and an own car position measuring part 4, a destination and search conditions inputted from an inputted from an input part 5 are sent to a route searching part 10. The route searching part 10 compares communication conditions on a plurality of routes from the car position to the destination, on the basis of road map data read from a road data base 11 by the use of a data base reading part 12 and communication condition data read from a communication condition data base 13 by the use of a data base reading part 14, search for a route satisfying a search condition set, and determines a recommendable route. The recommendable route determined is displayed on a monitor 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a route search system for searching for an optimum traveling route from a movement start position of a moving body to a destination and instructing the monitor on a monitor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to search for an optimum traveling route when a moving object moves, a moving start position, for example, a current position of the moving object as shown in FIG. A route search system that automatically searches for the recommended route from the current position, travel destination, and road map database and displays it on a monitor is used, and is generally called a navigation system and is often used in vehicles. .

In this route search system, first, a radio wave transmitted from a positioning satellite is received by a GPS (global positioning system) antenna 1 attached to a vehicle, and a vehicle position positioning unit 54 receives the radio wave as absolute position information. Measure the car position. This vehicle position information is sent to the route search unit 50.

[0004] A user sets a destination from a remote-control-type input unit 53 placed at hand. This set value is sent to the route search unit 50. The route search unit 50 searches for a route from the vehicle position to the destination based on the road map data read from the road map database 51 using the database reading unit 52, and determines a recommended route. The determined recommended route is displayed on the monitor 6 installed at a position where the user in the vehicle can easily see.

FIG. 9 shows a recommended route for traveling from the vehicle position S1 to the destination G1. The route 111 shown in FIG. 9A is a recommended route that gives priority to running the shortest route. A route 113 shown in FIG. 9B via the highway HW is a recommended route that prioritizes highway driving, and a route 114 shown in FIG. 9C has the minimum number of right and left turns at an intersection. This is a recommended route that prioritizes certain things.

[0006]

However, in such a conventional route search system, any of the routes searched according to the search condition in which priority is given to quickly moving from the vehicle position to the destination is used as a recommended route. It is determined. For this reason, with the development of the communication service network in recent years, in addition to the reception of radio broadcasts, the number of opportunities to move while using mobile communication devices has increased significantly, but traveling while maintaining good communication conditions There is no function to search for a route that can be made.Therefore, there are problems such as falling into a communication disabled state when traveling while performing important communication, and traveling on an unreceivable route when traveling while waiting for communication reception. Was. Also,
Even if communication is interrupted frequently and it is necessary to repeat troublesome communication restart operation, or if you want to move from an uncommunicable area to an area where communication is possible as soon as possible and start communication, travel on a route that continues with an area where communication is impossible There were also problems such as doing.

In recent years, mobile communication using a satellite communication service has also been developed. Mobile communication can be used from any area by supplementing an area which cannot be handled by a normal communication service network with a satellite communication service. The system is in place. However, when using a satellite communication service, the operation of switching from the used communication service to the satellite communication service is complicated, and the communication cost of the satellite communication service is higher than that of a normal communication service, so the communication cost increases. There was a problem of doing.

[0008] Further, as the search system becomes more complicated, the production cost of the apparatus increases greatly, and it is required to suppress the price increase while improving the performance. Furthermore, the number of various types of devices mounted in vehicles is increasing, and there is a strong demand for downsizing of vehicle-mounted devices mounted in a limited space, and there is a demand for smaller and lighter route search systems. Have been.

Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention compares the communication status of a plurality of routes when searching for the optimum traveling route from the vehicle position to the destination.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a route search system having a function of searching for a recommended route that can maintain the most desirable communication state. It is another object of the present invention to provide a route search system in which an increase in manufacturing price is suppressed and a device portion installed in a vehicle is reduced in size and weight.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a position input means for inputting a movement start position and a movement destination of a moving object, and a road map information means for providing road map information. A communication status information providing means for providing communication status information of wireless communication on a route, a route search means for searching for a recommended route from a route from a movement start position to a destination, and A monitor for displaying a recommended route; and the route searching means searches for a recommended route based on the road map information and the communication status information.

[0011] The communication status information providing means and the route searching means can be mounted on a mobile object. Alternatively, the route search means may be mounted on the moving body, the communication status information providing means may be installed at the ground center, and the communication status information may be transmitted from the communication status information providing means to the route search means. Further, the communication status information providing means and the route searching means are installed at the ground center, and the moving body is further provided with control means. The control means transmits the movement start position and the movement destination to the route searching means, and A recommended route can be displayed on the monitor by the search means.

The communication status information providing means can be constituted by a database unit in which communication status information managed by position information is stored and a database reading unit. At this time, the database unit determines whether or not the communication state is possible from the measured value of the electric field strength in the radio wave medium and creates a database, or determines whether or not the communication state is possible from the measured value of the bit error rate in the radio wave medium and creates a database. Can be. Further, a detailed service area diagram provided by at least one communication service provider may be stored in a database.

[0013] The communication status providing means also reads a database storing information relating to the position and performance of the communication equipment used by the communication service provider, a three-dimensional road map database part, and the three-dimensional road map database part. It is also possible to have a simulation unit for calculating the radio propagation at an arbitrary point from the data and calculating the quality of the communication condition.

The route search means can have the following search modes. (1) An impossible minimum travel distance priority mode in which a recommended route is determined by giving priority to minimizing the travel distance or time in an area where wireless communication is not possible as a search condition. (2) A maximum possible continuous travel distance priority mode in which a recommended route is determined by giving priority to the maximum travel distance or time for continuously traveling in an area where wireless communication is possible as a search condition. (3) A mode for minimizing the number of intermittent operations in which a recommended route is determined by giving priority to minimizing the number of intermittent communications as a search condition when moving while repeating an area where wireless communication is possible and an area where wireless communication is not possible. (4) When the movement start position is in an area where communication is not possible, the start of determining a recommended route by giving priority to minimizing the moving distance or time for moving to an area where communication is possible as a search condition. Travel distance minimum mode. (5) When moving in an area where communication provided by a plurality of communication service providers is available while switching the service provider to be used, the recommended route is set by giving priority to minimizing the number of communication switching as a search condition. Mode to determine the minimum number of switching times. (6) When moving in an area where communication provided by a plurality of communication service providers is available while switching the service provider to be used, a recommended route is determined by giving priority to minimizing the communication charge as a search condition. Mode to minimize communication charges. From these, it is desirable that any mode can be selected.

[0015]

The route search means uses the road map information and the communication status information provided by the road map information means and the communication status information providing means to compare the communication status of a plurality of routes and maintain the most desirable communication status. A recommended route that can be found is searched.

If the communication status information providing means is constituted by a database unit storing communication status information managed by position information and a database reading unit, it can be realized by a CD-ROM or the like and is simple. Further, the communication status information providing means is installed at a ground center different from the mobile unit and the communication status information is used for communication, so that the communication status information providing means can be shared by a plurality of systems. Since the information in the communication status information providing means can be constantly replaced with the latest data,
The latest information can be used when searching for routes.

Further, by installing the route searching means and the communication status information providing means at the ground center, the number of device parts mounted on the mobile body is reduced. Further, since the search result is used by communication, a plurality of systems can share the route search means and the communication status information providing means. In addition, a plurality of search modes are provided, and by arbitrarily selecting the mode, an optimum route is searched and displayed according to various situations.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to examples. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention. The route search unit 10 is connected to the vehicle position measurement unit 4, the input unit 5, a monitor 6 for displaying search results, a database reading unit 12, and a database reading unit 14. The input unit 5 inputs a search condition together with a destination. The own-vehicle position positioning unit 4 receives a radio wave transmitted from a positioning satellite by the GPS antenna 1 and measures the own-vehicle position as absolute position information. When the GPS antenna 1 cannot receive satellite radio waves, the self-vehicle performs autonomous positioning that estimates the current position by a cumulative calculation method from the measurement values of the gyro sensor 2 attached to the vehicle and the distance sensor 3 attached to the wheels. The position measuring unit 4 measures the position of the own vehicle. As the monitor 6, a liquid crystal display is used.

The road map database 11 is connected to the database reading unit 12. The road map database 11 stores C in which road map data necessary for the search is stored.
It is a D-ROM type and is read by an optical pickup of the database reading unit 12. In the database reading unit 14,
The communication status database 13 is connected. The communication status database 13 is a CD-ROM type storing communication status data managed by absolute position information and communication service charge data, using the communication status of the communication service provider as a criterion for determining whether the electric field strength of the radio wave medium is good or bad. Is read out by the optical pickup of the database reading unit 14.

The route search unit 10 performs a plurality of routes from the position of the vehicle to the destination based on road map data obtained from the road map database 11 and communication status data and usage fee data obtained from the communication status database 13. To determine a recommended route that meets the search conditions. A plurality of modes can be selected as search conditions. The entire system is on board the vehicle.

When the radio wave medium used by the communication service provider is digital communication, data managed by absolute position information using a bit error rate is used as a criterion for judging the quality of communication of the radio wave medium. Can be stored in the communication status database 13 and used as communication status data.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First, GP
The vehicle position information obtained by the S antenna 1, the gyro sensor 2, the distance sensor 3, and the vehicle position positioning unit 4 is sent to the route search unit 10. The user sets search conditions for searching for a destination and a route from the input unit 5. The destination information and the search condition are sent to the route search unit 10.

The route search unit 10 is based on road map data read from the road map database 11 using the database reading unit 12 and communication status data read from the communication status database 13 using the database reading unit 14. Next, the communication status of a plurality of routes from the vehicle position to the destination is compared, and a route that satisfies the set search condition is determined as a recommended route. The determined recommended route is displayed on the monitor 6.

Here, based on signals from the GPS antenna 1, the gyro sensor 2 and the distance sensor 3, the current position of the own vehicle is measured and inputted to the route search unit 10, and the destination and search are performed. The input unit 5 for inputting the condition to the route search unit 10 constitutes a position input unit of the present invention.
The route search unit 10 constitutes the route search means of the invention, the road map database 11 and the database reading unit 12 constitute road map information means, and the communication status database 13 and the database reading unit 14 constitute communication status information providing means. I have.

The route search procedure in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2A shows a plan view, and FIG. 2B shows a three-dimensional image. Here, a communication impossible area 211 due to a building shadow and a communication impossible area 212 due to a tunnel are shown.
It is assumed that the vehicle moves from the vehicle position S1 to the destination G1 in a certain area. When a route search is performed with priority given to traveling in an area with good communication conditions, the route search unit compares the communication statuses of a plurality of routes based on the road map data and the communication status data. For example, although the route 111 is the shortest route, the route 111 has to travel in the communication impossible area 212 due to the tunnel. The route 112 travels only in an area with good communication conditions. Therefore, the recommended route is
The path 112 is selected and displayed on the monitor. By traveling along the route 112, it is possible to arrive at the destination while always moving in an area where communication can be used.

Next, the operation of each search mode set as a search condition will be described with reference to FIGS. In the figure, a hatched portion indicates a communication impossible area. First, in the minimum travelable distance priority mode, a recommended route is determined by giving priority to a minimum travel distance of an area where communication is not possible as a search condition. As shown in FIG. 3A, a route from the vehicle position S2 to the destination G2 is searched,
If the route 121 and the route 122 are selectable, and if the impossible minimum travel distance priority mode is set, the route 12
2 is determined as the recommended route.

That is, since the route 121 travels in the long communicable area 221, the short communicable area 2
The travel distance of the area where communication is not possible is longer than that of the route 122 traveling on the route 22, which is avoided. Therefore,
The route 122 satisfies the search condition of a route that minimizes the moving distance in an area where communication is not possible. In this mode, it is possible to maximize the traveling distance in which mobile communication can be used, and to improve the probability of traveling in an area where communication is possible.

Next, in the maximum possible continuous moving distance priority mode, a recommended route is determined by giving priority to the fact that the moving distance for continuously moving in the communicable area becomes the maximum as a search condition. As shown in FIG. 3B, a route from the own vehicle position S3 to the destination G3 is searched, and the incommunicable area 231 is searched.
If the maximum possible continuous travel distance priority mode is set when the route 131 passing through and 232 and the route 132 passing through the non-communicable area 233 are selectable, the route 132 is determined as the recommended route. .

That is, the route 131 is longer than the route 132 in the total travel distance of moving through the communicable area, but the communicable area 231 and the communicable area 2
Since the vehicle travels through 32, communication is interrupted twice. In the two routes, the continuous movement distance of the area where communication is possible is the longest in the non-communicable area 232 of the route 132.
From the end of the to the destination G3,
The route 132 satisfies the search condition of the route that maximizes the continuous movement distance of the area where communication is possible. In this mode, the maximum continuous running distance that can use mobile communication can be secured, and when transmitting and receiving long continuous data,
The probability of falling into a communication disabled state on the way is reduced.

In the minimum number of intermittent times mode, when moving while repeating an area where wireless communication is possible and an area where wireless communication is not possible, a recommended route is determined by giving priority to minimizing the number of intermittent communication as a search condition. . FIG. 3 (c)
, The route from the vehicle position S4 to the destination G4 is searched, and the route 141 passing through the non-communicable areas 241, 242, 243 and 244 and the non-communicable area 24
If the route 142 via 5, 246, and 247 is selectable and the minimum number of intermittents mode is set, the route 142 is determined as the recommended route.

That is, the number of intermittent communications in the path 141 is four, and the number of intermittent communications in the path 142 is three. Therefore, the route 142 satisfies the search condition of the route that minimizes the number of communication interruptions. In this mode, the number of intermittent operations of the mobile communication can be minimized, and the number of troublesome operations when restarting the communication can be reduced.

In the minimum start travel distance mode, when the own vehicle position is within an area where communication is not possible, priority is given as a search condition to minimize the travel distance to move to the area where communication is possible, and the recommended route is set. decide. FIG. 4D
The route from the host vehicle position S5 to the destination G5 is searched for, and a route 151 passing through the non-communicable areas 251 and 252 and a route 152 passing through the non-communicable areas 251 and 253 can be selected. In this case, if the minimum start moving distance mode is set, the route 152 is determined as the recommended route.

In the route 152, the distance traveled to the communicable area is the distance from the own vehicle position S5 to the communicable area 2.
The distance to the end of 53, which is shorter than the distance from the vehicle position S5, which is the distance to move to the communicable area on the route 151, to the end of the communicable area 252. Therefore, the search condition of the route that minimizes the moving distance of the route 152 to the communicable area is satisfied.
In this mode, the moving distance to the area where the mobile communication can be used can be minimized, and when the mobile communication is to be started as soon as possible, the moving distance to be waited for is reduced.

Next, an operation when a search condition is set in an area where a communication service is provided by a plurality of service providers will be described with reference to FIG. 5, which schematically shows a communication state with respect to a traveling distance. First, in the minimum switching frequency mode, when moving in a communicable area provided by a plurality of communication service providers while switching the service provider used, the priority is given to the fact that the number of times of communication switching is minimized as a search condition. To determine the recommended route.

As shown in FIG. 5A, a route from the vehicle position S6 to the destination G6 is searched, and communication can be performed by the communication service provider A in a normal traveling area. , 262 and 263, route 1 in which only communication using satellite communication service provider B is possible
61 and the satellite communication area 264, in which only the communication using the satellite communication service provider B is possible 162 is selectable, and if the minimum switching frequency mode is set, the route 162 is determined as the recommended route. Is done.

That is, although the number of switching times of the communication service provider is three for the route 161, the switching is performed only once for the route 162. Therefore, the route 162 that satisfies the search condition of the route that minimizes the number of communication switching is the recommended route. Is determined. In this mode, the number of times of switching the mobile communication can be minimized, and the number of troublesome operations when switching the communication can be reduced.

Next, in the communication fee minimum mode, the communicable area provided by a plurality of communication service providers is
When moving while switching the service provider used,
A recommended route is determined by giving priority to minimizing the communication fee as a search condition. As shown in FIG. 5B, a route from the host vehicle position S7 to the destination G7 is searched, and communication by the communication service provider A is possible in a normal traveling area, but in the satellite communication areas 271 and 272. , A route 171 that allows only communication using the satellite communication service provider B whose communication fee is relatively high, and a route 172 that passes through similar satellite communication areas 273, 274, and 275.
Is selectable, and if the minimum communication fee mode is set, the route 172 is determined as the recommended route.

That is, the route 172 satisfies the search condition that the travel distance using the satellite communication service provider B whose communication usage fee is relatively high is shorter than that of the route 171 and the communication usage fee is minimized. In this mode, the travel time for using the communication service of the expensive communication service provider is minimized, and the increase in communication cost is suppressed. When performing a route search, it is also possible to search for an optimal route by arbitrarily combining the respective mode settings.

The present embodiment is configured as described above. When searching for a recommended route, by setting a search mode suitable for a user's use of mobile communication, road map data and communication status data are obtained. The recommended communication route that can maintain the most desirable communication state can be searched by comparing the communication status of the route using the communication route. Also, when traveling while using communication services of a plurality of communication service providers, it is possible to search for a recommended route that can maintain the most desirable communication state.

If the road map database and the communication status database are stored on one CD-ROM, the database reading unit can be shared, and the apparatus can be downsized. When the traveling distance becomes the maximum or the minimum, it can be considered that the traveling time also becomes the maximum or the minimum. If there are a plurality of routes that also satisfy the search condition, a route with a short total moving distance is determined as a recommended route.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the communication status database and its database reading unit are installed not at the vehicle but at the ground center. Route search unit 20 installed in the vehicle
Is connected to the vehicle position measurement unit 4, the input unit 5, the monitor 6 for displaying the search result, the database reading unit 12, and the transmission / reception unit 25. Communication status database 23 and its database reading unit 24, and transmitting / receiving unit 26
Is installed in the ground center 22 outside the vehicle.

The communication status database 23 is a CD-RO
M type, similar to the communication status database of the first embodiment,
Communication status data and communication service usage fee data are stored. The route search unit 20 determines a recommended route that matches the search condition from a plurality of routes from the vehicle position to the destination based on the road map data and the communication status data obtained via the transmission / reception units 25 and 26. Judge and decide. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Here, the route search unit 20 constitutes a route search unit of the invention, and the communication status database 23 and the database reading unit 24
Constitute communication status information providing means.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. G
PS antenna 1, gyro sensor 2, and distance sensor 3
And the own vehicle position information obtained by the own vehicle position positioning unit 4 is sent to the route searching unit 20. Next, the user sets a destination and route search condition from the input unit 5. The destination information and the search conditions are sent to the route search unit 20. Route search unit 2
0 transmits the vehicle position information and the destination information from the transmission / reception unit 25 to the ground center 22.

In the ground center 22, the database reading unit 24 reads the communication status data of the route from the communication status database 23, and transmits it from the transmission / reception unit 26 to the vehicle. On the vehicle side, the communication status data received by the transmission / reception unit 25 is sent to the route search unit 20. The route search unit 20 compares the communication status of a plurality of routes from the vehicle position to the destination based on the road map data read from the road map database 11 using the database reading unit 12 and the received communication status data. Then, a route that satisfies the set search condition is determined as a recommended route. The determined recommended route is displayed on the monitor 6. Other operations and the operation when the search mode is set are the same as those in the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the communication status database 23 and its database reading unit are installed at the ground center and the communication status data is used for communication.
The communication status database 23 and the database reading unit can be shared by a plurality of systems. As a result, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and further, the increase in the price of the route search system can be suppressed.

Since the communication status database 23 is installed at the ground center 22, the communication status database 23 is composed of a rewritable memory, and a number of measuring devices for measuring the electric field strength to determine the communication status are provided. Mounted on a vehicle, communication results data can be created by automatically collecting measurement results on a database by communication. If a measuring device is mounted on a vehicle such as a commercial vehicle that always runs on a road, a communication status database in which the latest data is always stored can be created. Thus, the latest communication status data can be used in the search, so that a recommended route that can maintain a more desirable communication state can be searched.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a route search unit, a communication status database, and a database reading unit are installed in a ground center instead of a vehicle. The control unit 37 is installed in the vehicle.
Is mounted, and the control unit 37 includes the vehicle position positioning unit 4, the input unit 5, the monitor 6, the database reading unit 38, and the monitor 6.
And the transmission / reception unit 35. The road map database 39 stores road map data.

The route search unit 30, the road map database 3
1 and its database reading unit 32, the communication status database 33 and its database reading unit 34, and the transmitting / receiving unit 36 are installed in a ground center 40 outside the vehicle.
The road map database 31 is a CD-ROM type,
A road map database is stored in the same manner as in the embodiment. The communication status database 34 is a CD-ROM type,
Communication status data and usage fee data are stored as in the communication status database of the first embodiment.

The route search section 30 is based on the road map data and the communication status data, based on the vehicle position information, destination information, and search conditions received from the vehicle via the transmission / reception sections 35 and 36. Judge and determine the recommended route. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The control unit displays the route determined by the route search unit 30 on a monitor. Here, the route search unit 30 constitutes the route search means of the invention, the road map database 31 and the database reading unit 32 constitute road map information means, and the communication status database 33 and the database reading unit 34 constitute communication status information providing means. doing.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The vehicle position information obtained by the GPS antenna 1, the gyro sensor 2, the distance sensor 3, and the vehicle position positioning unit 4 is transmitted to a control unit 37.
Sent to Next, the user sets a destination and route search condition from the input unit 5. The control unit 37 transmits the vehicle position information transmitted from the vehicle position measurement unit 4, the destination information input from the input unit 5, and the search condition from the transmission / reception unit 35 to the ground center 40.

In the ground center 40, the transmitted vehicle position information, destination information, and search conditions are transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 36 to the route search unit 30. The route search unit 30 compares the communication statuses of a plurality of routes from the vehicle position to the destination based on the road map data and the communication status data, and determines a route that satisfies the set search conditions as a recommended route. . The determined recommended route is transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 36 to the vehicle. The control unit 37 monitors the recommended route received by the transmission / reception unit 35 based on the road map data in the road map database 39.
Display above. Other operations and the operation when the search mode is set are the same as those in the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the road map database 31, the database reading unit 33, the route searching unit 30,
Since the communication status database 33, the database reading unit 34, and the transmitting / receiving unit 36 are installed at the ground center 40,
A database and a route search unit can be shared by multiple systems. As a result, the same effect as that of the second embodiment can be obtained, and each increase in the system can be suppressed. Further, the size and weight of the device mounted on the vehicle can be reduced. Since it is not necessary to consider the reduction in size and weight of the part installed in the ground center 40, a large-sized device that operates at a high processing speed can be used. A recommended route can be obtained.

The communication status database 33 can store communication equipment data composed of three-dimensional map data and data on the position and performance of communication equipment used by each communication service provider. Then, based on the three-dimensional map data and the communication facility data stored in the communication status database by the database reading unit, the quality of the communication status in each route is obtained from a simulation calculation, and the communication status data can be created. The route search unit 30 determines a recommended route from the vehicle position information, the destination, the set search conditions, the road map data, and the communication status data obtained by the simulation calculation, and transmits the recommended route. As a result, even if the installation position of the communication equipment is changed,
Since the data can be easily updated and the latest communication status data can always be obtained, it is possible to search for a recommended route that can maintain a more desirable communication state.

In each embodiment, the current position of the own vehicle obtained by GPS is automatically input as the movement start position. However, the user must manually input the current position as in the case of the destination. Can also.

[0055]

As described above, according to the present invention, when searching for a recommended route, a search mode suitable for a user's use of mobile communication is set, thereby providing road map information means and communication status information. Using the road map information provided by the means and the communication status information, the communication status of the route can be compared, and a recommended route that can maintain the most desirable communication status can be searched. Also, when traveling while using communication services of a plurality of communication service providers, a suitable search mode can be set and a recommended route that can maintain a desired communication state can be searched.

Further, by installing the communication status information providing means at the ground center, it is possible to suppress an increase in the price of the system, and a recommended route that can maintain a more desirable communication status by searching using the latest communication status data. Can be searched. In addition, by installing the route searching means and the communication status information providing means at the ground center, it is possible to further suppress an increase in the price of the system, and to reduce the size and weight of the device mounted on the vehicle.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a route search procedure according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a search mode in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a search mode in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a search mode in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a conventional example.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a recommended route in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 GPS antenna 2 Gyro sensor 3 Distance sensor 4 Own-vehicle position positioning part 5 Input part 6 Monitor 10, 20, 30 Route search part 11, 31, 38 Road map database 12, 14, 24, 32, 34, 39 Database reading part 13, 23, 33 Communication status database 25, 26, 35, 36 Transmission / reception unit 37 Control unit G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7 Destination S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7 Own vehicle Location HW Expressway

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A position input means for inputting a movement start position and a movement destination of a moving object, a road map information means for providing road map information, and a communication status information providing for providing communication status information of wireless communication on a route. Means, a route search means for searching for a recommended route from a route from the movement start position to the destination of movement, and a monitor installed on a moving body for displaying the recommended route, the route search means Is a system for searching for the recommended route based on the road map information and the communication status information. 2. The route search system according to claim 1, wherein the communication status information providing means and the route search means are mounted on a moving body. 3. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein said route search means is mounted on a mobile object.
The communication status information providing means is installed at the ground center,
The route search system according to claim 1, wherein the communication status information is transmitted from the communication status information providing unit to the route search unit. 4. The communication status information providing means and the route searching means are installed at the ground center, and the moving body is further provided with a control means. The control means sends the route searching means a moving start position and a moving destination. 2. The route search system according to claim 1, wherein the route is transmitted and a recommended route is displayed on the monitor by the route search means. 5. The communication status information providing unit according to claim 1, wherein the communication status information providing unit has a database unit and a database reading unit in which communication status information managed by position information is stored. Route search system. 6. The route search system according to claim 5, wherein the database unit determines whether communication is possible or not based on an actual measured value of the electric field strength in the radio wave medium and creates a database. 7. The route search system according to claim 5, wherein the database unit determines whether or not a communication state is possible from an actual measured value of a bit error rate in a radio wave medium and creates a database. 8. The route search system according to claim 5, wherein said database unit is a database of detailed service area maps provided by at least one communication service provider. 9. The communication status providing means reads a database storing information relating to the position and performance of communication equipment used by a communication service provider, a three-dimensional road map database, and a three-dimensional road map database. 5. The route search system according to claim 1, further comprising a simulation unit for calculating simulation of wireless propagation at an arbitrary point from the data obtained and calculating the quality of the communication condition. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the route search means has an unminimum travel distance priority mode in which a recommended route is determined by prioritizing a minimum travel distance or time in an area where wireless communication is impossible as a search condition. The route search system according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, wherein: 11. The maximum possible continuous travel distance priority, wherein the route search means determines a recommended route by prioritizing, as a search condition, a travel distance or a time for continuously traveling in an area where wireless communication is possible, as a search condition. 10. The route search system according to claim 1, further comprising a mode. 12. The route search means determines a recommended route by giving priority to minimizing the number of intermittent communications as a search condition when moving while repeating an area where wireless communication is possible and an area where wireless communication is not possible. And a mode for minimizing the number of intermittent operations.
The route search system according to 6, 7, 8 or 9. 13. The route search means, wherein when the movement start position is within an area where communication is impossible, priority is given as a search condition that a movement distance or time for moving to an area where communication is possible is minimized. 10. The route search system according to claim 1, further comprising a minimum start moving distance mode for determining a recommended route. 14. The route search means searches for the smallest number of times of communication switching when moving between areas where communication provided by a plurality of communication service providers is available while switching service providers. 5. A switching minimum number mode in which a recommended route is determined by giving priority to a condition, wherein the mode is a minimum switching number mode.
The route search system according to 7, 8, or 9. 15. The communication status providing means includes information on a communication charge, and the route search means moves through an area where communication provided by a plurality of communication service providers is available while switching the service provider. 15. The route search system according to claim 14, further comprising a communication fee minimum mode for determining a recommended route by giving priority to minimizing a communication usage fee as a search condition. 16. The method according to claim 16, wherein the route search means selects a plurality of modes from among an impossible minimum travel distance priority mode, a maximum possible continuous travel distance priority mode, an intermittent frequency minimum mode, a start travel distance minimum mode, a switching frequency minimum mode, and a communication fee minimum mode. 16. The route search system according to claim 10, wherein any of the modes is selectable.