JP2003315075A - System, method, and computer program for route search - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a route search system which searches a route so as to enter facilities being a destination from a major road side, since this major road is not necessarily included in a search for the shortest route, and a vehicle has to make a detour in the end in some cases, when a route is searched setting facilities having an approach for vehicles from the major road to a parking lot as a destination. <P>SOLUTION: The route search system is composed by providing a route search means 101, a map information D/B 102 a search condition input portion 103, a current position input portion 104, a destination input portion 105, a search program 106, an output means 107, a position measuring device 108, a destination retrieval means 109, a category discrimination means 110, a kind- of-road set portion 111, a number-of-search setting portion 112, a distance difference setting portion 113, etc. Route search is performed by the use of the search program 106 having a processing stage which causes a route to contain the major road adjoining the facilities without fail, when it is discriminated that the facilities of the destination can be entered from the major road side. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facility in which a moving body such as a vehicle is in a predetermined category (in the present application, "a facility in a predetermined category"
Means a facility that has an introduction route to the facility facing the main road or a facility where the parking lot of the facility faces the main road (in this application, "route" as appropriate) The present invention belongs to the technical field of route search system and route search method, and computer program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, navigation devices that support driving of automobiles have been remarkably widespread, and their functions have become more sophisticated. This navigation device is a display device that displays a map and the state of intersections, destinations (the "destination" in the present application is not limited to the final destination, and includes stop points such as transit points to the destination) Input device for inputting information from the user, such as settings for home and home, storage device such as DVD / CD-ROM for recording search data such as map data, location information of stores, road data, etc. GPS sensor / distance sensor / direction sensor /
A vehicle position-measuring device including a G sensor, a voice output device for guiding guidance voices and operation methods, a voice input device used for voice operations, a map based on information and data from each device. A navigation processing unit including a CPU / ROM / RAM and the like for processing for displaying the position of the vehicle and processing for route search / guidance.

Further, a navigation terminal mounted on an automobile, a communication center apparatus having a huge amount of information such as map information and area-related information, and a search function by a high-performance computing means, and these navigation terminals and communication center apparatus There is a so-called communication navigation device that connects the two via a communication line. In this communication navigation device, it is not necessary for the navigation terminal mounted on the vehicle to be equipped with a large amount of map information and high-performance computing means, and the information stored in the communication center device can be updated to the latest information at any time. It is a thing.

Further, there are some which are equipped with a communication device for obtaining traffic jam information, weather information and the like.

[0005]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In general, facilities such as a gas station and a convenience store are generally provided with a facility facing a main road, and a parking lot can be accessed from the main road. Has been done. However, when these are set as the destination or the stop-by place, the navigation device including the conventional communication navigation device searches for and outputs the closest route without considering the type of the road. According to such a search result, there was a case where a place that had to be entered from a main road was left behind a facility using a narrow street, for example, and a large turn was eventually required.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and when a facility such as a gas station or a convenience store is set as a destination or a stop, and a route is searched for, the route should be entered from the main road side. It is an object of the present invention to provide a route search system and a route search method that perform a search and output the same, and a computer program.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a route search system of the present invention is a route search system for a mobile body having a facility of a predetermined category as a destination,
Measuring means for measuring the current position of the moving body, input means for inputting the destination of the moving body, and enabling a route search from the current position of the moving body to the destination, the road according to the attribute A map database that stores map information with rank-dividing information for ranking, and a route from the current position to the destination is searched based on the map information of the map database, and the destination is a facility in the predetermined category. In this case, a search unit that sets the route of the moving body based on the ranking information among the roads that the destination touches, and an output unit that outputs the route searched by the search unit.

Here, "ranking information" in the present application means
It is information that ranks roads according to the attributes of the roads, and refers to types of roads such as national roads, prefectural roads, major local roads, ordinary roads, and narrow streets.

According to the route search system of the present invention, means for detecting the current position of a moving body such as an automobile (for example, an independent positioning device or a GPS (Global Positioning System) positioning device equipped with a velocity sensor, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor) ), Input means for inputting conditions required for destination and route search, map database storing map information used for route search from current position to destination, route from current position to destination in map database It is composed of search means for searching based on map information (for example, CPU for searching based on position information, map information, etc.), output means for presenting a search result to a driver (display device such as liquid crystal or voice output device), and the like.

A facility of a category in which a destination facility for search is in contact with a main road and an introduction route to the facility is connected to the main road, for example, a gas station,
As a route to convenience stores, etc., the route including the main roads that are in contact will be the route to the destination.

Generally, in many facilities such as a gas station and a convenience store, a vehicle entrance / exit is provided toward a main road. Therefore, when a route is searched with the location of the main facility such as a gas station or a convenience store as the destination, the route that reaches the main facility through the narrow street may be searched as the closest route. When this narrow street is used, it may not be guided to the introduction route to the facility, and it may take a long time to enter the facility. However, the route search system of the present invention prevents this time loss.

One aspect of the route search system of the present invention is
The mobile device includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the destination of the mobile object is the facility of the predetermined category.

According to this aspect, there is provided a means for automatically determining whether or not the destination facility belongs to a predetermined category, and it is determined that the facility belongs to the predetermined category. In this case, the route is searched based on the road ranking information. The determination can be made, for example, by the information of the search form, that is, whether the search is performed by facility search when detecting the destination or the search is performed by scrolling on the map screen. Further, even if the information is searched on the map screen, if the information indicating that it is a gas station or a convenience store is registered in the map database, it is possible to make the determination based on this.

Another aspect of the route search system of the present invention comprises an instruction means for instructing that the destination of the moving body is a facility of the predetermined category.

According to this aspect, since the driver inputs whether or not the destination facility belongs to a predetermined category, the route search is performed based on the road ranking information based on this information. Be seen.

Another aspect of the route search system of the present invention comprises a standard setting means for setting a standard of a road used for the search based on the road ranking information.

According to this aspect, the type of the main road to be searched can be freely set. The route can be searched efficiently even in various urban environments.

According to another aspect of the route search system of the present invention, when the road set based on the ranking information is not in contact with the destination, based on the new ranking information set by the reference setting means. To search for a route.

According to this aspect, when there is no road of the initially set type close to the facility and the route cannot be searched, the route can be searched by lowering the rank of this road. On the other hand, when a plurality of main roads are close to each other, it is possible to narrow down the optimum route by newly setting the road ranking information.

According to another aspect of the route search system of the present invention, when the destination is not in contact with the road set based on the ranking information, based on the new ranking information set by the reference setting means. Limit the number of searches to find a route.

[0021] According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent the route search from taking an extremely long time and preventing the user from getting out of the route search.

Another aspect of the route search system of the present invention comprises search number setting means for setting the number of searches.

According to this aspect, it is possible to limit the route search time and the escape time from the route search.

Another aspect of the route search system of the present invention is the difference in distance between the road closest to the facility selected by the searched shortest route and the road searched based on the ranking information to the facility concerned. A calculation means for calculating
If the distance difference calculated by the calculating means is within a predetermined value, the route including the road searched based on the ranking information is set as the route to the destination.

According to this aspect, a route including a road of a higher rank is searched, and even if the route is longer than the shortest route (that is, the route including the national road is longer than the route including the general road), the result is obtained. The shortest route is presented to the driver as a search result. This is because even if the shortest route is a narrow street that connects to the facility, the time to reach the destination will be short after all.

Another aspect of the route search system of the present invention comprises distance difference setting means for setting the distance difference.

According to this aspect, it is possible to arbitrarily set the allowable distance difference between the main facility and the road closest to the facility selected by the shortest route.
That is, it is possible to determine the allowable time difference from the case where the shortest route to reach the destination is used.

In another aspect of the route search system of the present invention, when the destination is a facility of a predetermined category, the route is set as the position of the facility based on the ranking information in contact with the facility. Used to search for.

According to this aspect, the road based on the ranking information in contact with the facility of the predetermined category is searched for as the position of the facility, so that the route including the main road can be searched more accurately and quickly.

In another aspect of the route search system of the present invention, the route search system is included in an integrated navigation device mounted on the mobile body.

According to this aspect, a book for searching a route using the functions of the navigation device mounted on the vehicle, such as the positioning device, the map information D / B (database), the searching device, and the output device. An inventive route search system is constructed. There is no particular increase in cost or installation space. The “map information D / B” in the present application is not limited to topographical information, but also includes information about roads such as the type of road and the introduction route to an adjacent facility.

Another aspect of the route search system of the present invention is included in the communication navigation system including a navigation terminal, a communication center device, and a communication line connecting them.

According to this aspect, the navigation terminal mounted on the vehicle or the like is used as the input / output means and the position detecting means, the route information is searched by the map information D / B of the communication center device and the search device, and the navigation terminal is used. The route search system of the present invention is configured by transmitting and receiving data relating to the search via the communication line by the communication means included in each of the communication center devices. There is no particular increase in cost or installation space. In addition, communication costs can be reduced by limiting the number of searches.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the route search method of the present invention is a route search method for a mobile body having a facility of a predetermined category as a destination, and a measuring step for measuring the current position of the mobile body, Based on map information with an input step of inputting the destination of the moving body and a route search from the current position of the moving body to the destination and ranking the roads according to their attributes A search step of searching for a route from the current position to the destination by including a road based on the ranking information that the destination touches in the route if the destination is a facility of the predetermined category; And an output step of outputting the route searched by the searching means.

According to the route search method of the present invention, the current position of a moving body such as an automobile is detected by using a self-supporting positioning device or a GPS positioning device, the destination is input, and the map information D / B is entered.
If the destination is a facility of a predetermined category from the map information, the current position, and the destination information, the route to reach the destination is searched based on the ranking information that is ranked according to the road attribute. According to this method, a route entering a facility of a predetermined category from a high-ranking main road is searched based on the ranking information.

According to one aspect of the route search method of the present invention, when the destination is not in contact with the road based on the ranking information, the route is searched based on the newly set ranking information.

According to this aspect, when there is no road adjacent to the facility based on the initial ranking information, the ranking information of the road is newly set and the route is searched. By resetting the ranking information, that is, setting a road with a lower rank, the route can be surely searched.

According to another aspect of the route search method of the present invention, when a road based on the ranking information is not in contact with the destination, a road newly set based on the ranking information is searched. The number of searches is limited.

According to this aspect, when a route including a road based on the newly set ranking information is searched, if an extremely long time is required or if there is a possibility that the user cannot escape from the route search, the number of times of search is increased. To limit the search time.

According to another aspect of the route search method of the present invention, the distance difference between the road closest to the facility searched by the searched shortest route and the road based on the ranking information to the facility is calculated, If the calculated distance difference is within a predetermined value, the route including the road based on the ranking information is set as the route to the destination.

According to this aspect, even if a route including a road of a higher rank is searched for and is longer than the shortest route (that is, the route including the national road is longer than the route including the general road), the result The shortest route is presented to the driver as a result of the search. Even if the shortest route is a narrow street that connects to the facility,
This is because the time to reach the destination will be short after all.

According to another aspect of the route search method of the present invention, when the destination is a facility of a predetermined category, the route is set to the position of the road which is in contact with the facility and is based on the ranking information. To search for.

According to this aspect, since the road based on the ranking information in contact with the facility of the predetermined category is set as the position of the facility, it is possible to search for the route entering the facility from the main road more accurately and quickly.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the computer program of the present invention requires a computer.
Is a program that functions as the route search system described in any one of 1.

According to this aspect, the computer program of the present invention causes a computer to cause various means included in the above-described route search system of the present invention to function, and to search for a route according to a predetermined search method or procedure. Is. More specifically, a computer is used to control various components such as current position measurement control by a positioning device, destination input control, map database control, predetermined search method, route search control by procedure, and search result output control. It is operated and controlled as a function of.

The computer program is a CD-ROM,
A computer can be read from a recording medium such as a DVD-ROM or a hard disk and executed, or a fixed program can be easily described by describing it in the program recording area of the CPU. Alternatively, it may be downloaded via a communication means.

The operation and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the embodiments described below.

[0048]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (Embodiment Related to Route Search System) An embodiment related to a route search system will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the route search system of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of applying the route search method of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another example of applying the route search method of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the route search system according to the present invention comprises route search means 101, map information D /
B102, search condition input unit 103, current position input unit 10
4, destination input unit 105, search program 106, output means 107, positioning device 108, destination search means 109,
The category discriminating unit 110, the road type setting unit 111, the search number setting unit 112, and the distance difference setting unit 113 are provided.

The route search means 101 searches the traveling route of the vehicle from the current position to the destination by a predetermined search method with reference to the map information based on the current position, the destination, and various other search conditions. The search result is presented to the driver by display means, voice means, or the like.

The map information D / B 102 stores map information, for example, road node information, link information, intercity highways, city highways, toll roads, national roads, prefectural roads, main local roads, and general roads. , Type of road such as narrow street, facility information,
A huge amount of map information data such as facility type and scale map information for display is stored. The map information data for route search by the route search means 101 is provided.

The search condition input unit 103 inputs conditions for the route search means 101 to perform a route search. The conditions include, for example, the category of the facility as the destination (facility classification such as a gas station, a convenience store, etc.), the type of road, the number of route searches, and the limitation of the distance difference between the searched route and the reference route.

The current position input section 104 inputs the position information which is the starting point of the route search. The current position is obtained from an autonomous positioning device, a GPS positioning device, or the like mounted on the host vehicle, and is input to the route search means 101.

The destination input section 105 specifies the facility where the driver is the destination. Destination search means 109 described later
The position of the destination searched by is input, and a route from the current position to this destination is searched under predetermined conditions.

The search program 106 is a program that describes a predetermined search method, procedure, etc. for searching a route from the current position to the destination. The route search means 101 is operated based on the set search conditions.

The output means 107 is the route search means 101.
Is a means for outputting the route searched by to inform the driver. For example, there is a display device including a liquid crystal or the like that outputs a search route as an image, and a voice output device that includes a speaker for instructing the route as voice. Further, it may be printed out by a printer.

The positioning device 108 is for knowing the current position of the own vehicle, and uses a GPS positioning device that receives radio waves from a plurality of satellites to determine the position, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, and a velocity sensor. The self-supporting positioning device etc. which were used are used. The detected position information is supplied to the route search means 101 via the current position input unit 104.

The destination detecting means 109 is used by the driver to find a desired facility, and the map information D /
This is performed using the map information of B102. A method of instructing a target facility on the map screen displayed on the display device, a method of inputting information about the facility and searching, and the like are used. The detected destination is supplied to the route search means 101 via the destination input unit.

The category discriminating means 110 discriminates the category of the facility from the detection result of the destination detecting means 109. It is also possible to determine whether the destination is searched by facility search or searched by scrolling on the map screen. Further, even when searching on the map screen, if there is map information in which information such as a gas station and a convenience store is registered in the map information D / B 102, it is possible to make a determination based on this.
Further, when the driver inputs that the destination is a facility of a predetermined category, this input information can be used.

The road type setting unit 111 sets the rank and type of the road to be used as the route. In the present invention, when a facility of a predetermined category is set as a destination, it is assumed that the facility will enter from a main road. For example, at gas stations and convenience stores, the approach roads are led to the main roads. However, if it is limited to only the uppermost main road, it may not be searched,
Therefore, in order to avoid this, this is a means for re-searching by newly setting the type of road. Normally, the newly set road is set based on the ranking information, and is set from the highest rank to the lowest rank, for example, from national roads to prefectural roads and ordinary roads.

The search number setting unit 112 sets the number of route searches. When there is no road of a predetermined rank or more in the route search to the destination facility and the search is repeated, the number of times of the search is limited to limit the search time.

The distance difference setting unit 113 sets the distance difference between the searched road or higher and the road closest to the facility selected by the reference closest route to the facility.
Even if a route passing through a main road is found, if it travels an extremely long distance than the closest route, time loss is large, which is contrary to the gist of the present invention.

The number of searches and the distance difference described above may be set in advance in the search program 106.

The block configuration described above is one example for embodying the route search system of the present invention, and other block configurations having similar functions and functions are also included in the route search system of the present invention.

Next, a specific application example of the route search using the route search system shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, as shown in FIG. 2, in the arrangement in which L1 to L3 are major national roads and L4 to L8 are narrow streets, and the store 1 is provided close to L6, the current position of the own vehicle is the position P.
Suppose it is 1. In this case, the introduction route to the parking lot of the store 1 is generally provided facing the main national road L2 for the convenience of the user, and the approach route to the facility is connected to the main national road L2. There is. Here, the store 1 refers to a facility that belongs to a predetermined category, such as the above-described gas station or convenience store.

The route from the position P1 to the store 1 includes the route R1 from the road L8 to the road L6, the route L8, and the route R2 from the road L7 to the road L2, but the main national road L2 is used according to various input conditions. The route R2 is searched as the optimum route and presented to the driver. In the conventional method of searching for the shortest route, the route R1 is shown, but according to the route search system of the present invention, the route using the major national road that is easy to install in the parking lot is prioritized in facilities such as stores. Will be presented.

As shown in FIG. 3, roads L1 to L7 are main national roads, road L9 is a general road, road L8 and roads L11 to L14.
Is defined as a narrow street, the store 1 is located between the road L6, the road L9, and the road L10, and the approach road of the store 1 is connected to the general road L9. The current position of the host vehicle is position P1. In this case, the route from the position P1 to the store 1 is the route R1 of the roads L1, L4, L5, L6, L10 and the roads L1, L.
4, L5, L9 route R2, roads L1, L2, L11, L12, L
Thirteen routes R3 are candidates. In such a case, the route R2 including the general road L9 is searched as a route and presented to the driver by introducing the type of road and the distance difference between the facility and each road as a criterion. That is, the facility 1 is not selected on the route R1 because it is the closest to the current position P1 but eventually becomes a detour, and the route R3 passes through a narrow street and is distant.

Next, the number of searches is limited, the distance difference between the road closest to the facility selected by the shortest route and the next searched route is limited, the standard of the main road is changed, and the type of road is changed. An example of a route search more suitable to the purpose under the conditions such as selection will be described with reference to the route search flowcharts shown in FIGS.

First, in the route search for the purpose of entering the parking lot of the store as shown in FIG. 4, first, the closest route, that is, the nearest link search is executed (step 101). This is a process of finding the shortest route to the destination from the location information of the designated destination, and the road L6 is the target in FIG. Next, it is judged whether or not the designated destination is a store (step 102). This determination is made based on the result of the facility search, the result of the search and designation on the map screen, or the map information or the information input from the driver.

Next, when it is determined that the destination specified in step 102 is not a store, the road searched in step 101 is set as the route (step 106). On the other hand, when it is determined to be a store, it is determined whether the searched road L6 is a main road such as a national road or a prefectural road (step 103).
When it is determined that the road is the main road, the road searched in step 101 is set as the route (step 106). on the other hand,
If it is determined that the road is not the main road, the next nearest road is searched, that is, the neighborhood link is searched (step 10).
4). In FIG. 2, the road L2 is the target.

Next, it is determined whether or not the road L2 searched in step 104 is a main road such as a national road or prefectural road (step 1).
05). If it is not a main road, the process returns to step 104 again to search for the next route. If it is a main road, the road searched at this time is presented as a route (step 10).
6).

Further, FIG. 5 adds a flow for limiting the number of executions of step 104 in FIG. 4, and limits the time required for the search without selecting a road far from the facility. If No in step 105, the number of executions of the neighborhood link search is counted, and it is determined whether the number is less than the set number (step 105a). If the number is small, the process returns to step 104 to search the route again, and if the number is large, the road searched in step 101 is presented as the route (step 106a). In this case, a route including a road with a low rank will be presented as the next best route.

The category of the main road in the above-mentioned route search, the number of searches, and the like may be described in the program at the beginning, and the system form can be set or changed by the driver. It is natural that

Next, a route search will be described in which, in addition to the route search shown in FIG. 4, the route searched from the current position to the destination and the nearest link route are limited in distance difference.

First, in the route search for the purpose of entering the parking lot of the store as shown in FIG. 6, first, the nearest link search is executed (step 201). This is the process of finding the shortest route to the specified destination,
In FIG. 2, the road L6 is targeted. Next, it is judged whether or not the designated destination is a store (step 20).
2). This determination is made in the same manner as described in step 102 of FIG.

Next, when it is determined that the destination specified in step 202 is not a store, the road searched in step 201 is set as the route (step 207). On the other hand, if it is determined to be a store, it is determined whether the searched road L6 is a main road such as a national road or a prefectural road (step 203).
When it is determined that the road is the main road, the road searched in step 201 is set as the route (step 207). on the other hand,
If it is determined that the road is not the main road, the search for the next closest road, that is, the search for the neighboring link is executed (step 20).
4). In FIG. 2, the road L2 is the target.

Next, it is determined whether or not the road L2 searched in step 204 is a main road such as a national road or prefectural road (step 2).
05). If it is not a main road, the process returns to step 204 again to search for a route. If it is a main road, step 2
The distance difference between the main road and the road closest to the facility searched in 01 is determined (step 20).
6). If the distance difference is equal to or greater than the predetermined value ΔL, step 2
Returning to 04, the neighborhood link is searched again. On the other hand, if it is less than or equal to the predetermined value ΔL, the road at that time searched in step 204 is set as the route (step 208).

Even if the route including the main road is searched by the above process, if the distance between the main road and the facility is far from the narrow street near the facility, the narrow street is determined as the optimum route. Will be presented.
Therefore, by introducing the distance difference restriction, the demand of the driver who wants to enter the parking lot in the shortest time is met.

Further, FIG. 7 adds a flow for limiting the number of executions of step 204 in FIG. 5, and limits the time required for the search to be longer than necessary. Step 205
If No in step No., the number of executions of the neighborhood link search is counted, and it is determined whether the number is less than the set number (step 205a). If the number is small, the process returns to step 204 and the route is searched again.
Present the road searched in step 2 as a route (step 20).
7). In this case, a route including a road with a low rank will be presented as the next best route.

In the road search in the middle of FIG. 4 (step 104, for example), the searched road is stored and the types of the road found previously and the road found this time are compared to find a lower type road. In this case, the previously found road will be the target road to the destination (including the stopover). For example, when the search is performed in the procedure shown so far in FIG. 3, the road L10, the road L9, and the road L8 are searched, but since the road type is road L8 <road L9,
The road L8 is not the target road, but the road L9 is the target road.

Further, in the above-mentioned route search, the category of the main road, the number of searches, the distance difference, etc. may be described in the program at the beginning, and can be set or changed by the driver. It goes without saying that the system form may be adopted.

The search for a route from a main road to a facility equipped with a parking lot has been described above. However, when it is determined that the facility is a facility of a predetermined category, the position of the main road near the facility is determined as the location of the facility. By treating it as a position, the route can be searched more effectively. (Configuration Example of Navigation Device and Communication Navigation System to which the Present Invention is Applied) Next, a navigation device and a communication navigation system to which the route search system of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. Here, FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a complete navigation device mounted on a vehicle, and FIG. 9 is a communication navigation system in which a navigation terminal mounted on the vehicle and a communication center device are connected via a communication line. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of FIG. 10, and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a communication center device. Incidentally, the navigation terminal in the communication navigation system basically uses the device configuration shown in FIG. 8, but as will be described later, there are some components that are not necessarily required and components having a lower functional rank are sufficient. It has a compact and simple terminal configuration.

First, as shown in FIG. 8, the navigation device 5 includes an autonomous positioning device 10, a GPS receiver 18, a system controller 20, an input / output (I / O) circuit 21, a CD.
-ROM drive 31, DVD-ROM drive 32,
Hard disk device (HDD) 36, wireless communication device 3
8, a display unit 40, a voice output unit 50, an input device 60, and an external interface (I / F) unit 61, and each unit is connected to a bus line 30 for transferring control data and processing data. ing.

The self-supporting positioning device 10 includes an acceleration sensor 11,
It is composed of an angular velocity sensor 12 and a velocity sensor 13. The acceleration sensor 11 is composed of, for example, a piezoelectric element, and outputs acceleration data obtained by detecting the acceleration of the vehicle.
The angular velocity sensor 12 is composed of, for example, a vibration gyro, and detects the angular velocity of the vehicle when the direction of the vehicle is changed, and outputs the angular velocity data and relative azimuth data.
The speed sensor 13 mechanically, magnetically or optically detects the rotation of the axle of the vehicle, and outputs a pulse number signal corresponding to the vehicle speed for each rotation of the axle at a predetermined angle.

The GPS receiver 18 has a known configuration including a plane polarization omnidirectional reception antenna, a high frequency reception processing unit, a digital signal processor (DSP) or a microprocessor (MPU), a memory and the like. G
The PS receiver 18 has at least three Gs flying in the sky.
Receives radio waves Wa to Wc (four radio waves Wa to Wd to obtain altitude values) from PS satellites, performs spectrum despreading, distance measurement, Doppler measurement, orbit data processing, and calculates position and moving speed and direction. The absolute position information of the reception point (vehicle traveling point) is continuously output from the I / O circuit 21 to the bus line 30, and the system controller 20 takes in the information and displays it on the map road. Has been done.

The system controller 20 has a CPU 2
2. The ROM 23, which is a non-volatile solid-state memory device, and the working RAM 24, and exchanges data with each unit connected to the bus line 30. The processing control by the exchange of the data is executed by the boot program and the control program stored in the ROM 23. In particular, the RAM 24 temporarily stores setting information for changing the map display (changing to the whole or district map display) by a user operation from the input device 60.

CD-ROM drive 31 and DVD-R
The OM drive 32 is a CD-ROM 33 and a DVD-R.
The map database information (for example, various road data such as the number of lanes and the road width in the map information (drawing leaves)) stored in each of them is read out and output from the OM 34.

The hard disk device 36 is a CD-ROM.
Map (image) data read by the drive 31 or the DVD-ROM drive 32 can be stored and read out at any time after this storage. The hard disk unit 36 further includes a CD-ROM drive 31 or a DVD.
It is also possible to store audio data and video data read from the ROM drive 32. Thereby, for example, while reading the map data on the CD-ROM 33 or the DVD-ROM 34 and performing the navigation operation,
The audio data and the video data stored in the hard disk unit 36 can be read to output the audio and the video. Alternatively, the navigation operation can be performed by reading the map data stored in the hard disk unit 36 while reading the audio data or the video data on the CD-ROM 33 or the DVD-ROM 34 to output the audio or the video. Further, the audio data, the video data, the map data, etc. downloaded by the wireless communication device 38 are stored in the hard disk unit 36 and can be read out and output at an arbitrary time thereafter.

The wireless communication device 38 has the same structure as a general-purpose mobile phone. For example, PDC (Personal Digital Ce
llular Telecommunication System, PHS (Perso
nalHandyphone System) TDMA, TDD or CDMA configuration (high-frequency wireless transmission / reception unit, encoding / decoding unit,
This is a configuration known as a time division multiplexing unit, a control unit, a voice input / output unit, etc.).

The display unit 40 is the system controller 20.
Various processing data is displayed on the screen under the control of. Display 40
The internal graphic controller 41 controls each unit of the display unit 40 based on the control data transferred from the CPU 22 through the bus line 30. Also, VR
A buffer memory 42 using an AM or the like temporarily stores image information that can be displayed immediately. Furthermore, the display control unit 4
3 performs display control, and the display 44 is a liquid crystal display (LCD) or EL (Electro-Luminescen).
ce) and a cathode ray tube (CRT), and displays the image data output from the graphic controller 41 on the screen. The display 44 is arranged, for example, near the front panel in the vehicle.

The audio output unit 50 is a D / A converter 51.
However, the bus line 30 is controlled by the system controller 20.
The digital signal transferred through the converter is converted into an analog signal, and the audio analog signal output from the D / A converter 51 is variably amplified by the variable amplifier (AMP) 52 and output to the speaker 53, from which audio is output. It

The input device 60 is composed of keys, switches, buttons for inputting various commands and data, a remote controller, a voice input device, and the like. Input device 6
0 is arranged around the front panel and the display 44 of the main body of the vehicle-mounted electronic system mounted in the vehicle.

The input device 60 can also adopt a weak radio transmission / reception system or an infrared remote system. In the infrared remote system, an infrared receiver and a decoder are built in the navigation device 5 (generally arranged around the display 44), and a remote controller is used to perform infrared remote operation at the user's hand. Become.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9, in the overall configuration of the communication navigation device, the communication center device 3 and the navigation terminal 6 are connected via a digital mobile line network 4 (hereinafter appropriately referred to as a communication line network). It is a composition. In this communication network, TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol)
ocol / Internet Protocol) In addition to the navigation terminal 6, IP packet communication under the environment (for example, the Internet) is a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant / PDA (Personal Digit).
al Assistants), it is also done for personal computers.

The communication center device 3 retains the latest map database information including route search information, which has been enormously carried out by a vehicle-mounted navigation device, and which has a huge amount of data, and map information for display at various scales. And maintenance, and the process of searching for an optimum route, which has a large processing load, is performed on behalf of the user.

The navigation terminal 6 is for a vehicle,
At least when displaying a map in the navigation operation, the minimum display map information necessary for display is downloaded from the map database information of the communication center device 3, or a recording medium such as a DVD or a CD for storing the display map information is stored. Equipped. Then, using such display map information, while displaying the road map on the screen,
The optimum route to the destination, the position of the vehicle, the direction of travel, the traveling locus, etc. are displayed.

Next, the configuration of the communication center device 3 is shown in FIG.
Further description will be given with reference to 0. The communication center device 3 includes a line connection device 71, a microprocessor 72, a communication control device 73, a map information processing database device 74, a map information reading unit 75, a storage device 76, an interface (I / F) unit 77, a timer circuit 82, and It is composed of a bus line 90.

The communication control device 73 constitutes an example of center side wireless means, and the map information processing database device 74
It constitutes an example of the searching means.

The line connection device 71 is for transmitting and receiving a signal from the navigation terminal 6 or a signal to the navigation terminal 6 through the digital mobile line network 4.

The microprocessor 72 is composed of a ROM, a working RAM and a CPU. The communication center device 3 controls each part based on a program, and the control data and processing data are exchanged through the bus line 90. The microprocessor 72 further cooperates with the map information processing database device 74 to execute various data processes such as an optimum route search process as described later.

The communication control device 73 executes a communication protocol with the communication line network in cooperation with the line connection device 71. For example, TCP / IP is executed.

The map information processing database device 74, for example, route search information including enormous amount of data of node information, link information, etc. covering a road network deployed in a wide area such as the whole of Japan or the whole of Honshu, It stores map database information including a large number of scale display map information and the like. Furthermore, the map information processing database device 74 is
Using this map database information, data processing such as optimum route search processing is executed in conjunction with the microprocessor 72.

The map information reading section 75 is a CD-ROM or a D-ROM.
It operates as a drive for reading the map database information from the VD-ROM. The read map database information is transferred to the map information processing database device 74 via the bus line 90 and stored therein. Then, the update of the map database information in the map information processing database device 74 is executed by reading the data from the CD-ROM or the DVD-ROM storing the latest map database information.

The storage device 76 holds the variables and device setting information in the control processing of the microprocessor 72 transferred through the bus line 90.

The I / F unit 77 is an external LAN (Local Area Net) for executing various information processing and maintenance management such as replacement of map database information in the map information reading unit 75.
work).

When this communication center device 3 is used as the Internet, it has a known portal site configuration. For example, a web server and FTP (File Transf
er Protocol) file transfer server, DNS (Domain Name)
System) server, FAX / e-mail server, etc.

The navigation terminal 6 has basically the same configuration as the navigation device 5 shown in FIG. 8 as described above, but it is not necessary to have the map information as a database, and therefore the map information is recorded. CD-RO
The M33 and DVD-ROM 34 are unnecessary. Further, the hard disk unit 36 need only record audio data and video data, and it is not necessary to use a hard disk unit that requires a huge recording area. Furthermore, since a high-quality CPU 22 for performing a route search at high speed based on a huge amount of map information data is not required, and a ROM 23 and a RAM 24 having a large storage capacity are not required, the overall configuration is light and inexpensive. .

As described above, the communication navigation system is traditionally performed inside the vehicle-mounted navigation device by the microprocessor 72 and the map information processing database device 74 in the communication center device 3 in response to a request from the navigation terminal 6. The route search is performed instead, and the navigation terminal 6 is provided with the route information indicating the optimum route obtained as a result of the route search.

Here, the map database information is, for example, node information that covers a road network deployed in a wide area such as the entire area of Japan or the entire area of Honshu, link information, map information for display at a large number of scales, etc. The amount of data is enormous, including the roads of the map, backgrounds such as railways / water areas, names of roads / maps (characters) and facility symbols, guide information such as sightseeing spots / facilities, and additional information such as map scales. Becomes Further, the types of all roads such as inter-city highways, urban highways, toll roads, national roads, prefectural roads, major local roads, general roads, narrow streets, etc. are recorded. (First Example of Route Search) Next, with reference to the sequence chart of FIG. 11, a route search by a user (driver) and a navigation device having a route search function of the present invention will be described in chronological order. FIG. 11 shows the relationship between the user and the navigation device 5 over time. The horizontal lines show the mutual relationships and the vertical lines show the passage of time.

First, the driver uses the input device 60 of the navigation device 5 to search the destination and determine the destination.
The map information stored in the ROM disk 34 or the like is requested (step 301). The navigation device 5 reads out the map information of the related area based on the request and displays the map information on the display unit
Is displayed on the display 44 (step 302). The user searches and determines the destination based on this map information (step 303). Next, the search condition of the route to the destination is input (step 304), and the start of the route search is instructed (step 305). As the search conditions at this time, enter the number of searches for nearby routes, the restriction on the distance difference between the searched routes, the rank and type of the road to be searched, and whether or not the destination falls within a predetermined category such as a store. To do. If the category of the destination can be determined in the process of determining the destination, the result in this process can be used as a condition, and the input regarding the category can be omitted.

Next, when the search instruction, the input condition, etc. are transmitted to the navigation device 5 (step 306), the navigation device 5 uses the self-supporting positioning device 10 and the GPS receiver 18 in the navigation device 5.
Then, the current position of the host vehicle, which is the base point of the route search, is detected (step 307).

Next, it is judged whether or not the destination is a predetermined category, for example, a store (step 308). This may be determined by a search method for searching for a destination, for example, a facility search or a scrolling search on the map screen. Further, even when searching on the map screen, in the case of map information in a form in which information such as a gas station and a convenience store is registered in the map information database, the determination may be made based on this. When the driver inputs that the destination is a store, this information can be used for the determination.

Next, a route search is performed based on the input conditions (step 309). In this route search, the CPU 22 provided in the navigation device 5 uses the DVD-RO.
Based on the map information stored in the M disk 34,
It is performed based on the input conditions, the current position of the own vehicle, the destination, the determination result of whether the vehicle is a store, the type of road, and the like.

The search result is temporarily stored in the RAM 24 or the HDD 36 of the navigation device 5, and then displayed on the display unit 4.
0 on the display 44, and the audio output unit 50
It is output as a voice from the speaker 53 (step 3).
10). The driver can confirm this and know the route (step 311).

By utilizing the function provided in the navigation device 5 by the procedure described above, the route is searched so as to enter the facility such as the store from the main road by the predetermined search method and procedure. (Second Example of Route Search) Next, with reference to the sequence chart of FIG. 12, a route search by a communication navigation system having a user (driver) and a route search function of the present invention will be described in chronological order. . Figure 1
2 is a user, a navigation terminal 6, and a communication center device 3
It shows the relationship with.

First, the driver requests the map information stored in the map information processing D / B 74 of the communication center device 3 from the input device 60 of the navigation terminal 6 to search / determine the destination (step 401). The navigation terminal 6 transmits this request from the wireless communication device 38 to the communication center device 3 via the digital mobile network 4 (step 402). Based on the request, the communication center device 3 reads out the map information of the area concerned (step 403) and transmits it from the line connection device 71 to the navigation terminal 6 via the digital mobile line network 4 (step 404). After receiving this, the navigation terminal 6 displays it on the display 44 of the display unit 40 (step 405). The user searches and determines the destination based on this map information (step 406).

Next, the search condition for the route to the destination is input (step 407) and the start of the route search is instructed (step 408). As the search conditions at this time, enter the number of searches for nearby routes, the restriction on the distance difference between the searched routes, the rank and type of the road to be searched, and whether or not the destination falls within a predetermined category such as a store. To do. still,
If the destination category can be discriminated in the process of destination determination, the discrimination result at this time can be used.

Next, when a search instruction, input condition, etc. are input to the navigation terminal 6 (step 409), the navigation terminal 6 operates in the self-contained positioning device 10 and the GPS receiver 18.
Then, the current position of the host vehicle, which is the base point of the route search, is detected (step 410), and the start of the route search is notified to the communication center device 3 together with the input conditions including this position information (step 411).

Next, the communication center device 3 determines whether or not the destination is a store (step 412). This may be determined depending on whether the destination is the result of the facility search or the result of the search on the map screen. Further, even in the case of searching on the map screen, this information can be used for discrimination in the case of map information in a form in which information such as a gas station or a convenience store is registered in the map information database. If the driver inputs that the destination is a store, this information can be used for discrimination.

Next, based on the inputted conditions, the CPU 72 searches for a route from the map information stored in the map information processing D / B 74 of the communication center device 3 (step 413).

The search result is temporarily stored in the storage device 76 of the communication center device 3 and then transmitted to the navigation terminal 6 (step 414). Navigation terminal 6
After receiving the search result and temporarily storing it in the HDD 36,
The data is displayed on the display 44 of the display unit 40 and is also output by voice from the speaker 53 of the voice output unit 50 (step 415). The driver can confirm this and know the route (step 416).

According to the procedure described above, the communication center device 3
Using the function of the communication navigation system in which the navigation terminal 6 is connected via the digital mobile network 4, the route from the main road to the facility such as a store is searched by a predetermined search method and procedure.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be appropriately modified within the scope of the gist or concept of the invention which can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and a route involving such modifications. A search system, a route search method, and a computer program are also included in the technical idea of the present invention.

[0125]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When a facility such as a gas station or a convenience store is set as the destination, the shortest route that enters from the main roads close to those facilities is searched and output, so conventionally it could happen by selecting the closest road as the route. For example, it is possible to prevent a situation where the vehicle goes out on the back side of the facility and eventually makes a large turn.

Further, the number of reroutes is reduced by performing appropriate guidance and guidance, so that the communication cost is reduced when a communication type navigation system is used.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a route search system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example in which the route search system of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another example in which the route search system of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of a specific search process of route search according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart in the case where a limit is added to the number of times a nearby link search is performed in the route search shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of another specific search process of the route search according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart in the case where the number of executions of a nearby link search is limited in the route search shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a communication navigation system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication center device of the communication navigation system.

FIG. 11 is a sequence chart of route search by the navigation device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 12 is a sequence chart of route search by the communication navigation system to which the present invention is applied. Is.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Store 3 ... Communication center device 4 ... Digital mobile network 5 ... Navigation device 6 ... Navigation terminal 10 ... Independent positioning device 11 ... Acceleration sensor 12 ... Angular velocity sensor 13 ... Speed sensor 18 ... GPS receiver 20 ... System controller 21 ... I / O circuit 30, 90 ... Bus line 31 ... CD-ROM drive 32 ... DVD-ROM drive 36 ... HDD 38 ... Wireless communication device 40 ... Display 50 ... Voice output section 60 ... Input device 61 ... External I / F section 71 ... Line connection device 72 ... Microprocessor 73 ... Communication control device 74 ... Map information processing database device 101 ... Route search means 106 ... Search program 110 ... Category discrimination means

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G09B 29/10 G09B 29/10 A H04B 7/26 H04B 7/26 FF term (reference) 2C032 HB03 HB06 HB11 HB22 HC08 HD03 HD04 HD13 HD16 2F029 AA02 AB07 AC14 AC19 5H180 AA01 BB04 BB05 FF05 FF14 FF22 FF27 FF33 FF38 5K067 AA34 BB36 DD20 EE02 EE16 FF03 GG01 GG11 JJ52 KK13 KK15

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A route search system for a mobile body having a facility of a predetermined category as a destination, wherein the measuring means measures a current position of the mobile body, and an input means for inputting a destination of the mobile body. Based on the map information of the map database, which stores the map information including the ranking information that enables the route search from the current position of the moving body to the destination and ranks the roads according to the attribute thereof. , A route from the current position to the destination is searched, and if the destination is a facility of the predetermined category, the route of the moving body is set based on the ranking information among the roads that the destination touches. A route search system comprising: a search unit; and an output unit that outputs the route searched by the search unit. 2. The route search system according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit that determines whether or not the destination of the moving body is a facility of the predetermined category. 3. The route search system according to claim 1, further comprising instruction means for instructing that the destination of the moving body is a facility of the predetermined category. 4. The route search system according to claim 1, further comprising a standard setting unit that sets a standard of a road used for a search based on the road ranking information. 5. If the road set based on the ranking information is not in contact with the destination, the route is searched based on the new ranking information set by the reference setting means. The route search system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. A route search by limiting the number of searches based on the new ranking information set by the reference setting means when a road set based on the ranking information is not in contact with the destination. The route search system according to claim 5, wherein 7. The route search system according to claim 6, further comprising search number setting means for setting the number of searches. 8. The calculating means comprises: a road closest to the facility selected by the searched shortest route; and calculating means for calculating a distance difference between the road searched based on the ranking information and the facility. 8. If the distance difference calculated by is within a predetermined value, the route including the road searched based on the ranking information is set as the route to the destination. The route search system according to item 1. 9. The route search system according to claim 8, further comprising distance difference setting means for setting the distance difference. 10. When the destination is a facility of a predetermined category, the position of the road which is in contact with the facility and is based on the ranking information is used as a position of the facility for route search. Item 10. The route search system according to any one of items 1 to 9. 11. The route search system according to claim 1, wherein the route search system is included in an integrated navigation device mounted on the mobile body. 12. The route navigation system is included in a communication navigation system including a navigation terminal, a communication center device, and a communication line connecting these devices, and the route search system is included in the communication navigation system. The route search system described. 13. A method of searching for a route of a moving body with a facility of a predetermined category as a destination, the measuring step of measuring a current position of the moving body, and an input step of inputting a destination of the moving body. It enables a route search from the current position of the moving body to the destination, based on the map information with ranking information for ranking the road according to the attribute, the route from the current position to the destination, If the destination is a facility of the predetermined category, a search step of searching for a road including a road based on the ranking information that the destination contacts, and an output step of outputting the route searched by the searching means. A route search method comprising: 14. The route search according to claim 13, wherein when the road based on the ranking information is not in contact with the destination, the route is searched based on the newly set ranking information. Method. 15. If the road based on the ranking information is not in contact with the destination, the road newly set based on the ranking information is searched and the number of searches is limited. The route search method according to claim 13. 16. A distance difference between a searched shortest route and a route including a road based on the ranking information is calculated,
The route including a road based on the ranking information is set as a route to the destination if the calculated distance difference is within a predetermined value. Route search method. 17. When the destination is a facility of a predetermined category, a route is searched by using the position of the road that is in contact with the facility based on the ranking information as the position of the facility. Item 17. The route search method according to any one of items 13 to 16. 18. A computer program that causes a computer to function as the route search system according to claim 1.