JP2001021374A - Dynamic course guide system and method and medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a dynamic course guide system in which the course to a goal can be displayed surely even when a version of course data up to the goal sent back from a center is different from that on the vehicle side. SOLUTION: A control section 16 transmits goal data to a road beacon through an antenna 10 and receives a course to the goal searched on the center side. A decision is then made whether a link (new link) not supported on the vehicle side exists in the received course and if it exists, nodes at the opposite ends of an unknown link is searched using map data stored in a map data storing section 18 and displayed at a display section 20 after being interpolated. The interpolated course is displayed while being discriminated from other courses so that it is notified by a user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dynamic route guidance apparatus, method and medium, and more particularly to a system for sending destination data from a vehicle to a center and returning a recommended route to the destination on the center to the vehicle. CDRGS).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, destination data of a vehicle is transmitted from a vehicle to a center, specifically, a road beacon, and a recommended route to the destination is searched by a road beacon or a control center connected to the road beacon. A system that sends a reply to a vehicle has been proposed. The road beacon or the center searches for a route from the current location of the vehicle to the destination using link data having traffic information called VICS link data. Specifically, the center sets the VICS link closest to the destination as the final destination link to be guided, searches for a route from the current location of the vehicle to the final destination link, and provides the route to the vehicle. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-214400 describes such route guidance by CDRGS.

[0003]

On the center side, it is necessary to update the link data at predetermined time intervals (for example, every year) in order to match the actual road conditions, and on the center side, destination data is transmitted from the vehicle. Then, the route is searched based on the latest link data (the latest link version) owned by the user, and the obtained recommended route is returned to the vehicle.

However, it is generally troublesome for the vehicle to update its own map data and the like at predetermined time intervals as in the center side. It is complicated to obtain and install the ROM). As a result, the link version in the recommended route returned from the center side may not match the link version in the map data on the vehicle side.
In some cases, the vehicle cannot recognize the link in the recommended route.

FIG. 4 schematically shows a recommended route R100 from the current position (O) to the destination (D) of the vehicle searched on the center side. The recommended route consists of a link sequence,
Each link is given a number for identification. For example, the link sequence of the recommended route R100 from the current location to the destination is as follows: link 1-link 2-link 3-link 4. When the link data on the center side is updated because the actual road condition has changed, a new number is added to the newly added link. If the existing link numbers are link 1 to link 100, the new link numbers are link 101, link 102, link 103,.
It is like.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a recommended route R100 when a route from the current position (O) to the destination (D) is searched using the updated link data (latest link version). . Node N1 in recommended route R100
New links 102, 104, 1 between
06 is added, and the route using these links is returned to the vehicle.

However, when only the link data before the update exists in the map data on the vehicle side, in the recommended route R100 transmitted from the center side, the link sequence from the current position to the node N1 and the destination line (D ) Are recognizable because they exist in their own link data, but the links 102, 104, and 106, which are link sequences between the nodes N1 and N2, do not exist in their own link data ( The link data on the vehicle side is link 1
(Versions up to link 100), these link strings cannot be recognized, and as a result, as shown in FIG.
There is a possibility that a route in which the link row between the node 1 and the node N2 is missing (broken line in the figure) must be presented.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the related art, and has as its object to provide a user with a present location even when a part of the recommended route returned from the center cannot be recognized by the vehicle. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus, a method, and a medium that can surely present a route from a user to a destination and thereby improve the reliability of the system.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention transmits destination data from a vehicle to a center, and obtains a recommended route to the destination on the center, and returns the route to the vehicle. A dynamic route guidance device for a route guidance system, comprising: storage means for storing map data; and when the recommended route does not match the map data, a mismatched portion in the recommended route is determined using the map data. Interpolating control means.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the control means performs interpolation by searching for a route connecting both ends of the mismatched portion using the map data.

Further, the present invention is characterized by further comprising a presentation means for presenting the interpolated route by a method different from the recommended route.

Further, the present invention provides a dynamic route guidance method for a route guidance system in which destination data is transmitted from a vehicle to a center, and the center obtains a recommended route to the destination and returns the route to the vehicle. I do. The method includes determining whether a link version in the recommended route matches the link version on the vehicle side, and determining whether the link version in the recommended route does not match the link version on the vehicle side. Interpolating the link with the link on the vehicle side.

Further, the method is characterized in that in the step of interpolating, a path connecting both end nodes of the mismatched link is interpolated by a path search using the link on the vehicle side.

[0014] The method may further include the step of presenting the interpolated link in a different manner from a matching link.

[0015] The present invention also provides a computer-readable medium storing a program for searching for a route to a destination. The program causes the computer to determine at least whether the link version in the recommended route obtained from the center side matches the link version on the vehicle side, and the link version in the recommended route is When the link version does not match, the mismatched link is interpolated by the link on the vehicle side.

Further, the interpolation is performed by searching a route connecting both end nodes of the mismatched link using a link on the vehicle side.

Further, the program is further characterized by causing the computer to present the interpolated link in a different manner from a matching link.

According to the present invention, when the recommended route supplied from the center does not match the map data possessed by the vehicle, that is, when the version of the link in the recommended route does not match the version of the link in the map data, Instead of leaving the mismatched part missing, the mismatched part is interpolated using the map data of the vehicle.

As one interpolation method, a route connecting both end nodes of the mismatched portion is searched on the vehicle side using map data. By combining the route obtained by the search with the original recommended route, a complete route from the current location to the destination can be presented to the user.

Note that the recommended route is a route searched on the center side, and the route searched on the vehicle side is a portion missing due to a difference in link version between the center side and the vehicle side, and is presented to the user. At this time, it is preferable to present the route searched on the vehicle side in a method different from the recommended route. Thereby, it is possible to inform the user that the link version on the vehicle side does not match the center side and that the mismatched part has been interpolated. In general, when interpolation is performed on the vehicle side, the route may not be the optimal route (because the link version before update is used), so that the user is informed of that fact and calls attention to the user. It is effective from a friendly point of view. “Present the interpolated route in a different way from the recommended route” means, for example, changing the display line type of the recommended route and the interpolated route (thick line and thin line, solid line and broken line, etc.), or the display color of the recommended route and the interpolated route. Means to present both in a visually or audibly distinguishable manner.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this embodiment. The antenna 10 and the wireless communication unit 12 are for performing bidirectional data communication between the road beacon and the vehicle. The wireless communication unit 12 is connected to a control unit 16 including a microcomputer and a memory. The control unit 16 supplies the destination data input from the operation unit 24 to the wireless communication unit 12 and transmits the destination data to the road beacon. The process described below is performed on the received recommended route data to obtain an optimal route. The obtained optimal route is displayed on the display unit 2.
0 or output to the voice output unit 22 by voice. The position evaluation sensor unit 14 includes a GPS, a wheel speed sensor,
It is configured by a gyro sensor or the like, detects the current position of the vehicle, and supplies the current position to the controller 16. CD-ROM and DVD-RO
The map data storage unit 18 such as M stores road information necessary for road map display and route search. Control unit 16
Displays the current position and the map on the display unit 20 using the display map data, and uses the route search map data when a part of the recommended route returned from the center side is missing. Find the route to your destination. The case where a part of the recommended route is missing is a case where the link version of the center is different from the link version stored in the map data storage unit 18 of the vehicle and the vehicle cannot recognize the link of the recommended route. Search for a path connecting both nodes of the missing part. The route search can be executed by using the known Dijkstra method, and a route with the lowest cost is selected from a plurality of routes connecting both ends of the missing portion.

FIG. 2 shows a processing flowchart of the present embodiment. First, when a destination is input from the operation unit 24, the control unit 16 transmits the destination to a road beacon. Roadside beacons are V within their own area.
It has ICS link data and uses the VICS link data to search for a recommended route to the destination and reply to the vehicle. In addition, instead of searching with street beacons,
The control center may search for a route to the destination, and supply the search result to a road beacon. And the control part 16
A recommended route (a CDRGS route) from a road beacon is input (S101). The recommended route can be returned to the vehicle with a link string number from the current location to the destination, such as link 10-link 11-link 12-link 13. The link number is specified in each version. When a new link is added due to a change in the actual road condition, a link number that does not exist in the existing version is assigned to the new link. Therefore, when the link number is 1 to 100 in a certain version Vn, the link numbers 101 to 100 are assigned to the new link of the updated version Vn + 1.

After inputting the recommended route, that is, the link sequence from the current location to the destination, the control unit 16 determines whether there is an unknown link which cannot be recognized in the input link sequence (S102). This determination is made by comparing the link number of the recommended route with the link number stored in the map data storage unit 18, and when the link number of the recommended route does not match the link number in the map data storage unit 18. Is determined to be unknown. Specifically, the map data stored in the map data storage unit 18 of the vehicle is the old version Vn that has not been updated, and the link sequence of the recommended route uses the link newly added in the new version Vn + 1. In this case, since this link number does not exist in the map data storage unit 18, it is determined to be unknown. On the other hand, when the versions are the same on the center side and the vehicle side, there is generally no unknown link.

If it is determined that there is an unknown link, the part of the recommended route that is divided because of the presence of the unknown link is specified (S103). Specifically, nodes at both ends of the unknown link are specified. If there is a single unknown link, the node between the two ends of the unknown link is a divided portion. If there are continuous unknown links, the node between the two ends of the series of unknown links is the divided portion. Of course, when an unknown link is intermittently present, each end node becomes a divided part. After specifying the divided part, the control unit 16 searches for a route between the divided nodes using the map data for route search in the map data storage unit 18 (S104). After the route is obtained, it is confirmed whether or not another divided portion exists (S105). If there is, a route between the divided nodes is searched in the same manner.

After searching for a route for all the divided portions, the divided route is interpolated with the searched route and the entire route from the current position (O) to the destination (D) is displayed on the display unit 20 (S1).
06). When displaying the entire path, the control unit 16 displays the interpolation path with a different display color from the other parts. For example, the recommended route is displayed in black, and the interpolation route is displayed in red. The interpolation route is a route obtained by using an old version of link data stored in the map data storage unit 18, and does not always match the current road condition, and is for the purpose of calling attention to the user. Of course, in addition to changing the display color, it is also preferable to output a message from the audio output unit 22 such as "The unsupported link data is included, and the portion has been interpolated." If it is determined in S102 that there is no unknown link, the recommended route may be displayed on the display unit 20 as it is.

FIG. 3 schematically shows all the paths interpolated as described above. When the node N1 and the node N2 of the recommended route R100 are disconnected, a route connecting the nodes N1 and N2 is searched to obtain a link 50-link 51-link 52, and a series of routes from the current location to the destination is obtained. can get. The link 50, the link 51, and the link 52
This is link data of the old version Vn. Thus, a complete route from the current location to the destination can be presented to the user, and the user can be notified of cautions when traveling on the interpolated portion.

In this embodiment, when an unknown link exists, a route is created between the divided nodes and is displayed on the display unit 20. When an unknown link exists, first, the display unit 20 displays "Unknown link". It is also preferable to output a caution (alarm) such as "exists" or "includes unsupported link data", and then search and display the interpolation path.

In this embodiment, the difference between link data versions is determined based on the presence or absence of an unknown link.
When version information is included in the CDRG route obtained from the road beacon, the version may be directly compared with the version on the vehicle side.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the processing shown in FIG. 2 can be realized by installing the control program in the computer (control section 16) and causing the CPU of the computer to sequentially execute the program. .
The control program is CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, F
The information can be recorded on any medium that can hold information electromagnetically, optically, or chemically, such as D or a hard disk.

[0031]

According to the present invention, even when a part of the recommended route returned from the center cannot be recognized by the vehicle, the route from the current position to the destination can be reliably presented to the user. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a processing flowchart of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a path after interpolation according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a route supplied from a center side.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of another route supplied from the center side.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram when the route in FIG. 5 is displayed on the vehicle side.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 antenna, 12 wireless communication unit, 14 position evaluation sensor unit, 16 control unit, 18 map data storage unit, 20
Display unit, 22 audio output unit, 24 operation unit.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2F029 AA02 AB05 AB07 AB13 AC02 AC09 AC14 AC18 AC19 AD01 5H180 AA01 BB04 BB13 EE02 FF04 FF05 FF12 FF13 FF22 FF25 FF27 FF40

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A dynamic route guidance apparatus for a route guidance system for transmitting destination data from a vehicle to a center side and returning a recommended route to the destination at the center side to the vehicle, the map data comprising: And a control unit for interpolating a mismatched portion in the recommended route using the map data when the recommended route does not match the map data. Guide device. 2. The dynamic route guidance device according to claim 1, wherein the control means performs interpolation by searching for a route connecting both ends of the mismatched portion using the map data. 3. The dynamic route guidance device according to claim 1, further comprising a presentation unit that presents the interpolated route in a method different from the recommended route. . 4. A dynamic route guidance method for a route guidance system, wherein destination data is transmitted from a vehicle to a center side, and the center side obtains a recommended route to the destination and returns the route to the vehicle. Determining whether the link version in the route matches the link version on the vehicle side, and if the link version in the recommended route does not match the link version on the vehicle side, Interpolating with a link; and a dynamic route guidance method. 5. The dynamic route according to claim 4, wherein in the step of interpolating, a route connecting both end nodes of the mismatched link is interpolated by a route search using the vehicle-side link. How to guide. 6. The dynamic route guidance method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of presenting the interpolated link in a different manner from a matching link. 7. A computer-readable medium recording a program for searching for a route to a destination, comprising:
The program causes the computer to determine at least whether a link version in the recommended route obtained from the center side matches a link version in the vehicle side, and that the link version in the recommended route is A medium for interpolating a mismatched link with the link on the vehicle side when the link version does not match. 8. The medium according to claim 7, wherein the interpolation is performed by searching for a path connecting both end nodes of the mismatched link using a link on the vehicle side. 9. The medium according to claim 7, wherein the program is transmitted to the computer by:
Further, a medium characterized by presenting the interpolated link in a different manner from a matching link.