JP2003021524A - Navigation device, arrival time calculation method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation device exactly predicting arrival time to a destination in the case of running a guided path. SOLUTION: The navigation device 1 comprises a date and time layer DB 172 for classifying roads into layers according to the characteristics of the road or date and time and storing the attributes classified based on the characteristics of the layers, running data indicating the distance and the necessary time for a vehicle to run according to the attributes, and a running information file 173 which stores average speed of every attribute calculated from the running data. The device classifies the road included in the guided path according to road class and classifies at every attribute based on the present date and time. Then the distance of the guided path at every classified attribute are calculated and by multiplying the average speed per hour of the corresponding attribute, the necessary time and arrival time to the destination are calculated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a navigation device, an arrival time calculation method, and a program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a navigation device has a GPS.
(Global Positioning Systems) detects the current position by receiving a signal transmitted from a satellite, based on the information detected by the autonomous navigation sensor of the navigation device, and the map data recorded in the recording device of the navigation device, The current position of the vehicle is matched with the road shape of the map data, and the current position of the vehicle is displayed on the map on the navigation screen. Then, when the user inputs the destination, the route search is performed based on the detected current position and the input destination, and the searched route is displayed on the map of the navigation screen to guide the destination. Is going.

In such a navigation device, in order to easily guide a route to a desired destination, an average speed on a general road or an expressway is preset and included in the set average speed and the guide route. The required time from the departure place to the destination or the arrival time to the destination is calculated by multiplying the distances of the general road and the expressway, and displayed on the navigation screen.

[0004]

However, in the navigation device as described above, the average speed preset for calculating the required time or the arrival time is uniform for each general road and highway. However, it was not possible to calculate the required time or the arrival time according to the actual congestion of the road, etc.

For example, even when traveling on the same road,
When traveling on a weekday night and traveling on a holiday day, traveling at night on a weekday allows traveling at a higher average speed. Alternatively, even when traveling on the same road in the same time zone, it is possible to drive at a higher average speed when traveling on weekdays and during special times such as the end of the year when traveling on weekdays Is.

Therefore, even if the arrival time is calculated by the uniform average speed for each of the general roads and the expressways, it is extremely difficult to reach the destination at the expected arrival time. That is, the accuracy of the calculated arrival time is low, and the user
The arrival time calculated by the navigation device could not be effectively utilized.

An object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device, an arrival time calculation method, and a program for accurately predicting the arrival time at a destination when traveling on a guide route.

[0008]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention, as a first invention, detects the current position of a vehicle, searches for a guidance route from the current position to a destination, and performs the guidance. A navigation device for calculating the time of arrival at the destination when traveling on a route, including date and time management means for storing a calendar and obtaining a date and time including the calendar, and a hierarchy classified based on a predetermined condition. A hierarchical storage means for storing
Travel information storage means for storing, as travel information, an average speed for each road classified based on the date and time acquired by the date and time management function and the hierarchy stored in the hierarchy storage means, and acquired by the date and time management means The roads included in the guide route on the basis of the date and time of the classification and the hierarchy stored in the hierarchy storage means, and the distance for each classified road,
Calculating means for calculating the time of arrival at the destination based on the average speed of each road corresponding to the road.

Further, in the first invention, the travel information storage means stores travel information and travel time when the vehicle travels for each road classified based on the date and time and the hierarchy. It is preferable to calculate and store an average speed for each road classified based on the current date and time and the hierarchy from the traveled distance and the required time.

Further, in the first invention, the hierarchy is
It is preferable to be classified into a hierarchy including at least one of road type, time, and time zone.

As a second aspect of the invention, the present position of the vehicle is detected, a guide route from the present position to the destination is searched, and the time when the vehicle arrives at the destination is calculated when traveling on the guide route. An arrival time calculation method using a navigation device, comprising a date and time management step of storing a calendar and obtaining a date and time including the calendar, a hierarchy storing step of storing a hierarchy classified based on a predetermined condition, A travel information storage step of storing, as travel information, an average speed for each road classified based on the date and time acquired in the date and time management step and the hierarchy stored in the hierarchy storage step, and the date and time management step. The roads included in the guide route are classified based on the date and time acquired as a result and the hierarchy stored in the hierarchy storing step, and the distance for each classified road and the average for each road corresponding to the road are classified. Speed It is characterized in that it comprises a calculating step for calculating a time to arrive at the destination based on.

Further, as a third invention, a computer-executable program having a function of storing a calendar and acquiring a date and time including the calendar, and a function of storing a hierarchy classified based on a predetermined condition. A function of storing the average speed of each road classified based on the acquired date and time and the hierarchy as traveling information, and included in the guide route based on the acquired date and time and the hierarchy. A function of classifying the roads to be classified and calculating the time to arrive at the destination based on the classified distance of each road and the average hourly speed of each road corresponding to the road. There is.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 6 are diagrams showing an embodiment of a navigation device 1 to which the present invention is applied.

First, the structure will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, the navigation device 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 and G.
PS antenna 12, autonomous navigation unit 13, input unit 1
4, a display unit 15, a memory 16, a storage device 17, and the like.

The CPU 11 reads out and executes various system programs stored in the storage device 17 to drive and control each part of the navigation device 1. Also, GPS
Based on the data input via the antenna 12, the autonomous navigation unit 13, the input unit 14, etc., various application programs for navigation stored in the storage device 17 are read out, and the current position detection process, route search process, and arrival process are performed. Various processings such as time calculation processing and travel information update processing are executed, and the processing result is displayed on the display unit 15.

Specifically, the CPU 11 has a storage device 17
The arrival time calculation processing (FIG. 4) and the travel information update processing (FIG. 5) described later are executed based on the arrival time calculation processing program and the travel information update processing program stored in the.

In this arrival time calculation processing, the CPU 1
1 is a map DB (database) 171 which detects the current position of the vehicle and stores map data corresponding to the current position, which will be described later.
To get from. Then, the detected current position of the vehicle is displayed on the display screen together with the map data. Next, when the destination is input via the input unit 14, the guide route to the destination is searched and displayed on the display screen. Furthermore, CPU
11 obtains the current date and time including the calendar by the date and time management function, classifies the searched guide route based on the corresponding layer based on the date and time layer stored in the date and time layer DB 172 described later, and Calculate the distance.

Here, the date / time hierarchy is a classification of ordinary roads and highways into hierarchies based on characteristics according to date / time, and is generally classified into three hierarchies of road type, time, and time zone. It Further, the classified hierarchies are classified in more detail based on the characteristics of each hierarchy, and the road attribute is determined according to the characteristics of each classified hierarchy. In the present invention, the average hourly speed for each attribute classified based on the date / time hierarchy (hereinafter, abbreviated as “hierarchy”) is calculated, and the time required to reach the destination is calculated based on the calculated average hourly speed for each attribute. , And the arrival time at the destination is calculated. The details will be described later together with the configuration of the date / time hierarchy DB 172.

That is, the CPU 11 obtains the current date and time and the average hourly speed of the attribute corresponding to the road type (general road or highway) included in the guide route from the travel information file 173 described later, and based on the hierarchy. The travel time for each attribute of the guide route classified according to the above is multiplied by the corresponding average hourly speed to calculate the required time to the destination and the arrival time. Further, the CPU 11 causes the predetermined distance,
Alternatively, the traveling information update process described below is performed every time a predetermined time has elapsed, and the required time to the destination and the arrival time are calculated based on the updated average hourly speed.

In this traveling information updating process, the CPU 1
1 reads the traveling history data from a traveling history file 174, which will be described later, and extracts the distance, required time, and traveling date and time of the newly traveled road. Then, the CPU 11
On the basis of the extracted travel date and time, classifies the distance of the newly traveled road and the required time into corresponding attributes, and stores them as travel data in the corresponding attributes of the travel information file 173. Next, the CPU 11 deletes the oldest travel data when the travel data is stored in the travel information file 173 over a predetermined distance (for example, 100 km in the past) in each layer. Then, the CPU 11
The average hourly speed for each attribute is calculated, and the calculated average hourly speed is stored in the travel information file 173.

The GPS antenna 12 receives GPS signals transmitted from a plurality of GPS satellites launched into a low earth orbit. The GPS antenna 12 receives GPS signals transmitted from at least three GPS satellites, detects the absolute current position (latitude, longitude) of the vehicle based on the received GPS signals, and outputs it to the CPU 11.

The autonomous navigation unit 13 comprises an angle sensor, a distance sensor and the like. The angle sensor detects the angular velocity of the vehicle (the angle of rotation in the horizontal direction per unit time) and calculates the amount of change in the moving direction. The distance sensor detects the pulse signal output according to the rotation of the wheel and calculates the amount of movement of the vehicle. The autonomous navigation unit 13 calculates a relative position change of the vehicle based on the angular velocity signal and the vehicle speed pulse signal and outputs the change to the CPU 11.

The input unit 14 includes character keys, numeral keys, search keys, and various keys associated with various functions such as navigation, and outputs an operation signal for the operated key to the CPU 11. Further, the input unit 14 may include a touch panel provided so as to cover the display unit 15 configured by a color liquid crystal display or the like, and a touch instruction may be given by a coordinate reading principle such as an electromagnetic induction type, a magnetostrictive type, or a pressure sensitive type. The detected coordinates are detected, and the detected coordinates are output to the CPU 11 as a position signal. Alternatively, it may be configured to include an input device such as a remote controller and a microphone.

The display unit 15 is composed of a color liquid crystal display or the like, and has the contents of input in the input unit 14 and the CP.
The display information for navigation input from U11 is displayed.

The memory 16 is composed of a RAM, a ROM, etc., and forms a work area for temporarily storing various programs executed by the CPU 11 and data concerning these various programs.

The storage device 17 is provided with a recording medium (not shown) in which programs, data and the like are stored in advance, and various applications of the navigation device 1 executed by the CPU 11 and these programs are stored in the recording medium. The data and the like related to are stored. For example,
The recording medium includes various programs such as a current position detection process, a route search process, an arrival time calculation process, and a travel information update process for performing the above processes, a route traveled in the past, and various setting contents related to the operation of the navigation device 1. The setting data in which is recorded is stored. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the recording medium includes a map DB 171, a date / time hierarchy DB 17
2. Travel information file 173, travel history file 174
Is memorized.

The map DB 171 stores map data used for detecting the current position of the vehicle, searching for a route to a destination, displaying navigation, and various symbol data for roads, facilities, the sea, lakes and the like.

The date / time hierarchy DB 172 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a data configuration example of the date / time hierarchy DB 172 stored in the storage device 17. As shown in FIG. 2, the date / time hierarchy DB 172 stores road type, time,
Three layers are classified and stored according to the time zone.
Then, the three tiers are further categorized based on the characteristics of each tier. First, road types are stored in the first layer, and road types are classified into ordinary roads and expressways. Next, the time is stored in the second layer, and the time is classified into special time, consecutive holidays, weekends and holidays, and weekdays. Here, the special time period is the year-end and New Year holidays, Golden Week, and Bon holidays that have a great influence on the congestion of vehicles. For example, if it is a Bon holiday, it means the period from the last Saturday to the next Sunday, starting on August 15. Also, consecutive holidays refer to consecutive holidays of 3 days or more excluding special periods. At this time, the current date and time and the calendar are acquired by the date and time management function of the CPU 11 to recognize the special time, consecutive holidays, weekends and holidays, and weekdays, respectively.

Further, a time zone is stored in the third hierarchy, and is classified into early morning, morning, daytime, evening, night, and midnight. Specifically, for example, early morning (4:00 to 7:00), morning (7:00 to 10:00), daytime (10:00 to 3:00).
0), evening (3: 00-6: 00), night (6: 00-1)
The time zone is set as 1:00) and midnight (11:00 to 4:00). As for this time zone, the current time is acquired by the date and time management function of the CPU 11, and the early morning, morning,
It is configured to recognize the time zones of daytime, evening, night, and midnight. Then, the classification based on each characteristic in these three layers is defined as an attribute. Further, the date / time hierarchy DB 172 uses “a _1-
The identification symbol indicated by “f ₈ ” is stored, and this identification symbol corresponds to the attribute identifier stored in the travel information file 173.

More specifically, the attribute a ₁ is a road having each characteristic in the three levels of ordinary road, special time period, and early morning. As described above, the guide route is classified into 48 types of attributes by the classification based on the date and time hierarchy and the characteristics of each hierarchy. Note that the classification of each attribute is an example, and the type and number of attributes are not limited to this.

In the arrival time calculation process, the guide route searched for is based on the date / time hierarchy DB 172.
The attributes are classified into corresponding attributes, and the required time to the destination and the arrival time are calculated based on the classified attributes. Further, as the travel information stored in the travel information file 173, travel information (travel data, average speed, etc.) corresponding to each attribute stored in the date / time hierarchy DB 172 is stored.

The travel information file 173 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of the travel information file 173 stored in the storage device 17. As shown in FIG. 3, the travel information file 173 stores, for each attribute, the distance traveled by the vehicle in the past, the required time, and the average hourly speed corresponding to each attribute, which can be updated. In the initial state, the average hourly speed of each attribute is set to a value determined by default.

Concretely, the traveling information stored in the highest record of the traveling information file 173 will be described as an example. First, in the attribute, character data “a ₁ ” is stored, and the identification number corresponding to each attribute classified in the date / time hierarchy DB 172 is stored. Then, in the driving data, "32Km 60 minutes", "28Km 50 minutes",
Numerical data and character data of "40 km 64 minutes" are stored. Here, the travel distance and the required time stored in one field are the travel distance and the required time that the vehicle has traveled in one route guidance, and the travel data is stored in order from the left to the oldest. In addition, the travel distance and the required time data stored in the travel data are deleted from the old data when the predetermined distance (for example, 100 km) is exceeded. Furthermore, the average speed is "34.5 km /
Numerical data and character data of "h" are stored. The average hourly speed is calculated from the traveling distance stored in the traveling data and the required time.

The traveling history file 174 stores data relating to the past traveling locus of the vehicle. More specifically, the traveling history data including the date and time of traveling, the route information of the actual traveling of the vehicle, the traveling distance, the required time, and the like are stored.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. It should be noted that a program for realizing each function described in the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 to 5 described below is stored in the storage device 17 in the form of a readable program code, and the CPU 11 uses the program code. The operation according to is sequentially executed. Also, a CD-RO (not shown)
It is also possible to execute the operation peculiar to this embodiment by utilizing a program / data externally supplied from the M, DVD-ROM control section or the like.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an arrival time calculation process executed by the CPU 11 of the navigation device 1 according to this embodiment. In Figure 4, CP
U11 acquires the current position information of the vehicle from the GPS antenna 12 and the autonomous navigation unit 13 and detects the current position of the vehicle (step S11). Then, the CPU 11
Acquires the map data corresponding to the detected current position of the vehicle from the storage device 17, and displays the current position of the vehicle together with the map data on the display screen (step S12).

Subsequently, when the destination is input by the user via the input unit 14, the CPU 11 sets the destination (step S13). Next, the CPU 11 searches for a guide route from the detected current position of the vehicle to the destination (step S14). Next, the CPU 11 displays the searched guide route on the display screen and waits for an instruction as to whether or not to guide the searched guide route (step S1).
5). Here, when an instruction not to decide on the searched guide route is input (step S15; NO), the CPU 11
Moves to step S14 and searches for a guide route again.

On the other hand, when the instruction to determine the searched guide route is input (step S15; YES), the CPU 1
1 acquires the current date and time by the date and time management function and also acquires the date and time hierarchy DB 172 stored in the storage device 17. Next, the CPU 11 classifies the roads included in the searched guidance route based on the road type, and further classifies the roads into the corresponding attributes based on the acquired current date and time. Then, the distance of the guide route is calculated for each classified attribute (step S16).

Next, the CPU 11 obtains the average hourly speed of each attribute from the travel information file 173 (step S1).
7), the required time to the destination by multiplying the distance of the guide route calculated for each attribute by the average hourly speed of each corresponding attribute,
And the arrival time is calculated. Next, the CPU 11 displays the calculated required time to the destination and the arrival time on the display screen (step S18). Furthermore, the CPU 11
Executes a travel information update process described later (step S
19).

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the traveling information update process executed by the CPU 11 as one step of the arrival time calculation process. In FIG. 5, the CPU 11 acquires traveling history data of the vehicle traveling in the past from the traveling history file 174 stored in the storage device 17 (step S31). Next, the CPU 11 classifies the acquired travel history data for each attribute based on the road type and the travel date and time. Next, the CPU 11 calculates the distance traveled and the required time for each classified attribute. (Step S3
2).

Next, the CPU 11 stores the traveling distance calculated for each attribute and the required time as traveling data in the corresponding attribute of the traveling information file 173 (step S).
33). Subsequently, the CPU 11 causes the travel information file 17
It is determined whether or not the total distance of the travel data for each attribute stored in 3 exceeds a predetermined distance (for example, 100 km per attribute) (step S34). Here, if the total distance of the traveling data does not exceed the predetermined distance (step S34; NO), the CPU 11 causes the step S36.
Move to.

On the other hand, if the total distance of the traveling data exceeds the predetermined distance (step S34; YES), the CPU
11 erases the oldest data stored in the travel data for the excess distance (step S35). Then CPU1
First, the average hourly speed of the corresponding attribute is calculated from the travel distance and the required time stored in the travel data and stored in the travel information file 173 (step S36), and the present travel information update processing ends.

Then, returning to step S20 in FIG.
The CPU 11 determines whether the vehicle has arrived at the destination (step S20). Here, when the vehicle arrives at the destination (step S20; YES), the CPU 11 ends the main arrival time calculation process. On the other hand, if the vehicle has not arrived at the destination (step S20; NO), the CPU1
1 acquires the current position and extracts the remaining guide routes (step S21). Next, the CPU 11 moves to step S16 and repeats the processing of steps S16 to S19.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of updating the travel information of “attribute a ₁ ” stored in the travel information file 173 at the time of route guidance by the above travel information update processing. (a)
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing travel information of “attribute a ₁ ” before updating,
(B) is a diagram showing the travel information of "Attribute a _1" after updating.

First, FIG. 6 (a) stores the travel information when the vehicle traveled on the guidance route for the past three times. here,
When new route guidance is performed, the travel information file 17
3, a new field is generated, and the traveling information is stored in the newly generated field 173i. Figure 6
The diagram shown in (b) shows the travel information of “attribute a ₁ ” when the vehicle travels 20 km after the start of the new route guidance.

In FIG. 6B, the field 173i
In the table, the distance traveled by the vehicle after the route guidance is started, the numerical data of "20 km 30 minutes" which is the required time, and the character data are stored. This field 1
The travel data stored in 73i can be updated. In the same route guidance, the travel data is updated in the same field every time the vehicle travels a predetermined distance or every predetermined time interval.

Further, the traveling data stored in the traveling information file 173 has a predetermined storable predetermined distance, and the traveling data exceeding the predetermined distance is deleted in order from the oldest traveling data. For example, when the predetermined distance in which the travel data is held is 100 km, the data of the predetermined distance excess (20 km) is deleted from the travel data stored in the field 173a which is the oldest travel data. That is, of the traveling data of "32 km 60 minutes" stored in the field 173a, 20 km of the predetermined distance excess and 38 minutes which is the time required to travel the 20 km are calculated and deleted from the traveling data. It

As a result, the traveling data "32 Km 60 minutes" stored in the field 173a is changed to the field 17
It is updated to the travel data "12 Km 22 minutes" stored in 3f. The average hourly speed "34.5 km / h" stored in the field 173e as the traveling data is updated.
Is the average speed "36.
1 km / h ”.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the navigation device 1 classifies roads into hierarchies according to the characteristics of the road or date and time, and stores the attributes classified based on the characteristics of this hierarchy. A road included in the guide route, which includes a date / time hierarchy DB 172, travel data indicating a distance traveled by the vehicle and a required time according to the attribute, and a travel information file 173 storing an average hourly speed for each attribute calculated from the travel data. Are classified according to road type, and further classified for each attribute based on the current date and time. Then, the distance of the guide route is calculated for each classified attribute, and the average time speed of the corresponding attribute is multiplied to calculate the required time to the destination and the arrival time. In addition, the travel information stored in the travel information file 173 is updated with travel data and average hourly speed every time a vehicle travels a predetermined distance or at predetermined time intervals during route guidance.

Therefore, the navigation device 1 classifies the road conditions in which congestion is likely to occur in detail based on the road on which the vehicle is traveling, the time, and the time zone, and determines the destination based on the average hourly speed calculated based on this classification. Since the required time to arrive and the arrival time are calculated, it is possible to provide the user with the arrival time according to the congestion status of the road. This allows
The accuracy of the arrival time can be improved, and the user can effectively use the information provided by the navigation device 1.

Further, the information obtained when the user actually travels is stored as traveling information, and the average hourly speed corresponding to each attribute is calculated from this traveling information. Therefore, the average hourly speed reflecting the usage characteristics of the user is calculated. Can be calculated. For example, the average hourly speed of a highway during the special period of a user returning from the suburbs to the city during the New Year's holiday and the average hourly speed of a highway during the special period of a user returning from the city to the suburbs during the New Year's holiday are:
Different average hourly speeds are set depending on the difference between the up lane and the down lane. That is, generally, at the end of the year, many roads from the city to the suburbs are congested and the roads from the suburbs to the city are relatively less congested. On the other hand, at the beginning of the year, many roads from the suburbs to the cities are congested, and the roads from the cities to the suburbs are less congested. Therefore,
A user who lives in the suburbs and returns to the city from the suburbs can travel at a relatively high average speed without being caught in a traffic jam even during a special time. According to the present invention, it is possible to calculate the arrival time that also reflects the usage characteristics of the user.

Further, since the traveling information stored in the traveling information file 173 is updated even when the route is guided,
Calculate the average hourly speed corresponding to the current situation, the required time,
Alternatively, the arrival time can be calculated. Therefore,
It is possible to calculate the arrival time reflecting not only the past travel history but also the current road congestion status, and it is possible to provide more accurate information.

The description in the present embodiment is an example of the navigation device according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a threshold speed is set in advance, and the travel information file 173 is set at the end of route guidance.
The average speed of the traveling data of this time stored in is calculated, and when the average speed does not exceed the hourly speed that is the threshold value, the traveling data may be deleted and the error data may be omitted.
Thus, for example, when the travel time takes a considerably long time due to accidental traffic congestion, the travel data can be excluded as error data. As a result, a more accurate arrival time can be provided to the user.

Further, the classification of road types, times, and time zones in the present embodiment is only an example, and it goes without saying that it is possible to classify into more detailed hierarchies or attributes according to various situations. In addition, regarding the detailed configuration and detailed operation of the navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment,
Modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0055]

According to the present invention, the guide route is classified into layers based on a predetermined condition, and the arrival time is calculated based on the average speed of each road according to the classified layers, so that the vehicle actually travels. It is possible to calculate the required time according to the congestion situation of the road, and it is possible to accurately calculate the arrival time to the destination. This allows the user to effectively use the information provided by the navigation device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a navigation device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a date / time hierarchy DB 172 stored in the storage device 17.
It is a figure which shows the example of a data structure.

FIG. 3 is a travel information file 1 stored in a storage device 17.
7 is a diagram showing a data configuration example of 73. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing arrival time calculation processing executed by the CPU 11 of FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing a travel information update process executed by a CPU 11 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a data update example of travel information stored in a travel information file 173.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Navigation device 11 CPU 12 GPS antenna 13 Autonomous navigation unit 14 Input section 15 Display 16 memory 17 Storage

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] August 28, 2001 (2001.8.2)
8)

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0028

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

The date / time hierarchy DB 172 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a data configuration example of the date / time hierarchy DB 172 stored in the storage device 17. As shown in FIG. 2, the date / time hierarchy DB 172 stores road type, time,
Three layers are classified and stored according to the time zone.
Then, the three tiers are further categorized based on the characteristics of each tier. First, road types are stored in the first layer, and road types are classified into ordinary roads and expressways. Next, the time is stored in the second layer, and the time is classified into special time, consecutive holidays, weekends and holidays, and weekdays. Here, the special time period is the year-end and New Year holidays, Golden Week, and summer vacation that greatly affect the traffic congestion of the vehicle. For example, in the case of summer vacation , it means the period from Saturday immediately before to the next Sunday starting from August 15. Also, consecutive holidays refer to consecutive holidays of 3 days or more excluding special periods. At this time, the current date and time and the calendar are acquired by the date and time management function of the CPU 11 to recognize the special time, consecutive holidays, weekends and holidays, and weekdays, respectively.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A navigation device for detecting a current position of a vehicle, searching for a guidance route from the current position to a destination, and calculating a time of arrival at the destination when the vehicle travels on the guidance route. A date and time management unit that stores a calendar and obtains a date and time including the calendar; a hierarchy storage unit that stores a hierarchy classified based on a predetermined condition; a date and time acquired by the date and time management function; A traveling information storage unit that stores, as traveling information, an average speed for each road that is classified based on the hierarchy stored in the storage unit; the date and time acquired by the date and time management unit; A road included in the guide route is classified based on the hierarchy, and the time to arrive at the destination is calculated based on the classified distance of each road and the average speed of each road corresponding to the road. A navigation device comprising: an arithmetic unit. 2. The travel information storage means stores travel distance and required time when the vehicle travels as travel information for each road classified based on the date and time and the hierarchy, and the travel information is stored. 2. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein an average speed for each road classified based on the current date and time and the hierarchy is calculated and stored from the distance and the required time. 3. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the hierarchy is classified into a hierarchy including at least one of road type, time, and time zone. 4. A navigation device is used, which detects a current position of a vehicle, searches for a guidance route from the current position to a destination, and calculates a time when the vehicle arrives at the destination when traveling on the guidance route. An arrival time calculation method comprising: a date and time management step of storing a calendar and obtaining a date and time including the calendar; a hierarchy storage step of storing a hierarchy classified based on a predetermined condition; A travel information storage step of storing, as travel information, an average speed for each road classified based on the acquired date and time and the hierarchy stored in the hierarchy storage step; and the date and time acquired in the date and time management step. And the roads included in the guide route based on the hierarchy stored in the hierarchy storing step, and based on the classified distance for each road and the average hourly speed for each road corresponding to the road. The destination A navigation device, comprising: a calculation step for calculating the time of arrival at. 5. A computer-executable program, a function of storing a calendar and acquiring a date and time including the calendar; a function of storing a hierarchy classified based on a predetermined condition; The date and time, and a function of storing the average speed of each road classified based on the hierarchy as traveling information, and the road included in the guide route based on the acquired date and time and the hierarchy A program for realizing the function of calculating the time of arrival at the destination based on the classified distance for each road and the average hourly speed for each road corresponding to the road.