JP2004109146A - Navigation device and navigation program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To grasp the degree of concentration of specific facilities in a region around peripheral facilities by searching the region having the specific facilities based on map information and by displaying the degree of concentration of the specific facilities. <P>SOLUTION: This navigation device comprises: a map information storage means for storing information relating to specific facilities; a retrieval means for retrieving the specific facilities by accessing the map information storage means to set the region with the specific facilities concentrated as a specific facility region; and a display control means for displaying the plurality of peripheral facilities, and the degree of concentration of the specific facilities in the specific facility concentration region corresponding to the respective peripheral facilities. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

The present invention relates to a navigation device and a navigation program.

Conventionally, in a navigation device mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, when an operator such as a driver operates a predetermined input unit to set a destination, the destination and the current position detection processing unit detect the destination. A route from the current position to the destination is searched based on the current position of the vehicle, and the searched route is guided. In this case, the route is searched so that the distance from the current position to the destination is the shortest, or the route is searched so that the required time is the shortest.

However, traffic congestion frequently occurs with an increase in traffic volume, and if a route searched based on road map data is used to minimize the required time, the route is caught in traffic congestion and takes a long time. There is a problem.

Therefore, in order to solve the problem, there has been provided a system capable of receiving traffic jam information on a road and searching for a route avoiding a traffic jam section (Patent Document 1).

For example, in a road traffic information communication system called VICS, information on traffic control systems such as the police and the Japan Highway Public Corporation is collected, road traffic information on road congestion is created, and this is transmitted to radio beacons and FM multiplexing. The data is transmitted to the navigation device by communication means such as broadcasting. The vehicle navigation device that receives the road traffic information searches for a route that avoids a congested section based on the road traffic information.

As a result, the driver of the vehicle can avoid a congested section, so that the time required to reach the destination can be reduced. Further, since the inflow of vehicles into the congested section is suppressed, road traffic becomes smooth.
JP-A-5-135300

However, in the conventional road traffic information communication system, information on traffic control systems such as the police and the Japan Highway Public Corporation are collected, road traffic information on road congestion is created, and transmitted to the navigation device. Therefore, in the case of a navigation device having no information receiving means, it was not possible to search for a route avoiding a congested section using the road traffic information.

In addition, since it is only possible to create and transmit the information of the traffic congestion occurring at the present time, and it is not possible to predict the occurrence of the traffic congestion and create and transmit the information of the traffic congestion, Even with the provision of the information receiving means, it has not been possible to search for and set a route avoiding an area where traffic congestion is expected. For example, traffic congestion is expected to occur at a high probability in a specific time zone around a railway station or around a parking lot of a large commercial center.

However, the traffic congestion information transmitted in the road traffic information communication system does not include traffic congestion expected in such an area. Therefore, the route searched based on such information cannot satisfy the needs of the driver of the vehicle.

Further, the conventional navigation device has a function of searching for a specific facility based on map information, and can search for a facility desired by an operator such as a specific parking lot. It was not possible to search for an area where many specific facilities exist, such as a certain area.

The present invention solves the problem of the conventional navigation device, and can grasp the concentration of a specific facility in an area around a peripheral facility. An object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device and a navigation program capable of selecting a facility.

Therefore, in the navigation device of the present invention, the map information storage means for storing information about the specific facility, and the map information storage means are accessed to search for the surrounding facilities, and the specific facility is searched for the surrounding facilities. A search unit for setting an area where the specific facility is concentrated as a specific facility concentrated area; and a display control for displaying a plurality of the peripheral facilities and a specific facility concentration level in the specific facility concentrated area corresponding to each of the peripheral facilities. Means.

In still another navigation device of the present invention, the specific facility is a parking lot.

In another navigation program according to the present invention, a computer is used for navigation, a map information storage means for storing information about a specific facility, a search for surrounding facilities by accessing the map information storage means, and Search means for searching for a specific facility and setting an area where the specific facility is concentrated as a specific facility concentrated area, and a plurality of the peripheral facilities and a specific facility concentration in the specific facility concentrated area corresponding to each of the peripheral facilities It functions as display control means for displaying the degree.

According to the present invention, since the specific facility concentration degree in the area around the peripheral facility can be grasped, the operator can select a desired peripheral facility while considering the specific facility concentration degree.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of the navigation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing functions of the navigation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 14 denotes a navigation device as a computer. The navigation device 14 has a current position detection processing unit 15 for detecting a current position, a data recording unit 16 as a recording medium on which road data and the like are recorded, and an input. The navigation processing unit 17 includes a navigation processing unit 17, an input unit 34, a display unit 35, a voice input unit 36, a voice output unit 37, and a communication unit 38 for performing various arithmetic processing such as navigation processing based on information. Is connected to a vehicle speed sensor 41.

The current position detection processing unit 15 includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) 21, a geomagnetic sensor 22, a distance sensor 23, a steering sensor 24, a beacon sensor 25, a gyro sensor 26, an altimeter (not shown), and the like. Some of the GPS 21, the geomagnetic sensor 22, the distance sensor 23, the steering sensor 24, the beacon sensor 25, the gyro sensor 26, the altimeter, and the like can be appropriately omitted from the viewpoint of manufacturing costs and the like.

The GPS 21 detects a current position on the earth by receiving a radio wave generated by an artificial satellite, the geomagnetic sensor 22 detects a direction in which the vehicle is facing by measuring geomagnetism, and The sensor 23 detects a distance between predetermined positions on a road and the like. As the distance sensor 23, for example, a sensor that measures the rotation speed of a wheel (not shown) and detects a distance based on the rotation speed, a sensor that measures acceleration, and detects the distance by integrating the acceleration twice. Can be used.

The steering sensor 24 detects a rudder angle. As the steering sensor 24, for example, an optical rotation sensor, a rotation resistance sensor, or a wheel mounted on a rotating portion of a steering wheel (not shown) is mounted on a wheel. The used angle sensor and the like are used.

The beacon sensor 25 receives the position information from the beacon disposed along the road and detects the current position. The gyro sensor 26 detects a rotational angular velocity of the vehicle, that is, a turning angle. As the gyro sensor 26, for example, a gas rate gyro, a vibration gyro, or the like is used. Then, by integrating the turning angle detected by the gyro sensor 26, the direction in which the vehicle is facing can be detected.

The GPS 21 and the beacon sensor 25 can independently detect the current position. The current position can also be detected by combining the distance detected by the distance sensor 23 and the azimuth detected by the geomagnetic sensor 22 and the gyro sensor 26. Further, the current position can be detected by combining the distance detected by the distance sensor 23 and the steering angle detected by the steering sensor 24.

The data recording unit 16 includes a map data file, an intersection data file, a node data file, a road data file, a photograph data file, and facility information in which facility information such as hotels, gas stations, and sightseeing spots in each region is recorded. It has a database consisting of data files. In addition to the data for searching the route, the data recording unit 16 displays a guide map along the searched route on the screen of the display unit 35, or displays a characteristic photograph at the intersection or the route. , And various data for displaying the distance to the next intersection, the traveling direction at the next intersection, and other guidance information are recorded. The data recording unit 16 also records various data for outputting predetermined information by the audio output unit 37.

By the way, the intersection data file records intersection data relating to each intersection, the node data file records node data relating to node points, and the road data file records road data relating to roads. Displays the road condition on the screen. The node data constitutes at least a position and a shape of a road in the map data recorded in the map data file, and includes an actual road junction (including an intersection, a T-shaped road, etc.), a node point, and the like. , And data indicating a link connecting each node point. The node point indicates at least the position of a turning point on the road.

According to the road data, for the road itself, the width, slope, cant, bank, road surface condition, number of lanes of the road, points where the number of lanes decreases, points where the width decreases, etc. Is the radius of curvature, intersection, T-junction, corner entrance, etc. For road attributes, railroad crossings, expressway entrance rampways, tollgates on expressways, downhill roads, uphill roads, road types (national roads, general roads, Expressways etc.) are configured respectively.

The navigation processing unit 17 includes a CPU 31 that controls the entire navigation device 14, a RAM 32 that is used as a working memory when the CPU 31 performs various arithmetic processes, a control program, and a route to a destination. The ROM 33 as a recording medium on which various programs for searching for a vehicle, performing travel guidance on a route, determining a specific section, and the like are recorded. The navigation processing unit 17 includes the input unit 34, the display unit 35, The audio input unit 36, the audio output unit 37, and the communication unit 38 are connected. Some of the audio input unit 36, the audio output unit 37, and the communication unit 38 can be omitted as appropriate from the viewpoint of manufacturing costs and the like.

Here, the program includes a computer for navigation for searching for a route to a destination using a search cost, map information storage means for storing information about a specific facility, and accessing the map information storage means to access the map information storage means. Search means for searching for a specific facility and setting an area where the specific facility is concentrated as a specific facility concentrated area, and a navigation program functioning as search means for changing a search cost in the specific facility concentrated area and searching for a route And a computer for navigation, map information storage means for storing information about a specific facility, accessing the map information storage means to search for surrounding facilities, and searching for the specific facility for the surrounding facilities, Searching means for setting an area where specific facilities are concentrated as a specific facility concentrated area; Navigation program to function as a display control means for displaying the specific facility concentration degree of the specific facility concentrated in the region corresponding to each of the facilities and the surrounding facilities are also included. The computer-readable recording medium on which the navigation program is recorded is not only a semiconductor memory but also a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magnetic drum, a CD-ROM, an MD, a DVD-ROM, an optical disk, It includes all forms of recording media such as MOs, IC cards, optical cards, and memory cards.

The data recording section 16 and the ROM 33 are composed of a magnetic core, a semiconductor memory, and the like (not shown). As the data recording unit 16 and the ROM 33, various storages such as a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a floppy disk, a magnetic drum, a CD-ROM, an MD, a DVD-ROM, an optical disk, an MO, an IC card, an optical card, and a memory card. A medium can also be used. The storage medium may be pre-installed in the navigation device 14 or may be appropriately replaced by a driver or the like.

In the present embodiment, various programs are recorded in the ROM 33, and various data are recorded in the data recording unit 16. However, the program and data may be recorded on the same external storage medium. it can. In this case, for example, a flash memory (not shown) may be provided in the navigation processing unit 17, and the program and data may be read from the external storage medium and written to the flash memory. Therefore, the program and data can be updated by exchanging the external storage medium. Further, a control program or the like of an automatic transmission control device (not shown) can be recorded in the external storage medium. As described above, it is possible to start programs recorded on various storage media and perform various processes based on data. The external storage medium is of any type such as a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a floppy disk, a magnetic drum, a CD-ROM, an MD, a DVD-ROM, an optical disk, an MO, an IC card, an optical card, and a memory card. Is also good.

Further, the communication unit 38 is for transmitting and receiving various data to and from an FM transmission device, a telephone line, the Internet, a mobile phone network, and the like. Various kinds of data such as road information, traffic accident information, and D-GPS information for detecting a detection error of the GPS 21 are received. Note that at least a part of a program and data for realizing the functions of the present invention may be received by the communication unit 38 and recorded in a flash memory or the like.

The input unit 34 is used to correct a position at the start of traveling or to input a destination. The input unit 34 is operated from operation switches such as operation keys and operation menus displayed on the screen of the display unit 35. Preferably. Therefore, input can be performed by pressing (touching) the operation switch like a normal touch panel. Note that a keyboard, a mouse, a barcode reader, a light pen, a remote control device for remote operation, and the like, which are provided separately from the display unit 35, can also be used as the input unit 34.

The display unit 35 displays an operation guide, an operation menu, operation key guidance, a route from the current position to the destination, and guidance information along the route. As the display unit 35, a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, a hologram device that projects a hologram on a windshield, or the like can be used.

The voice input unit 36 is configured by a microphone (not shown) or the like, and can input necessary information by voice. Further, the voice output unit 37 includes a voice synthesizer and a speaker (not shown), and outputs voice information, for example, guide information and speed change information composed of voice synthesized by the voice synthesizer from the speaker, and notifies the operator. It should be noted that, in addition to the voice synthesized by the voice synthesizing device, various sounds and various types of guidance information previously recorded on a tape, a memory, or the like can be output from a speaker.

In the present embodiment, the navigation device 14 includes a search unit 27 for searching for a route, a search unit 28 for searching for a facility or the like included in the map information, a display control unit 29, and map information for storing map information from the viewpoint of functions. It has storage means 42. Then, the display control unit 29 performs a display process to set a guide screen on a display (not shown) of the display unit 35, and displays a current position and a map of the vicinity on the guide screen. Then, when the operator operates the input unit 34 to set a destination, a route search process is performed, a route from the current position to the destination is searched, and the current position, a map of the surrounding area, and a search are displayed on the guide screen. The displayed route is displayed. Therefore, the operator can drive the vehicle according to the route guidance.

The map information storage means 42 stores the above-described map data file, intersection data file, node data file, road data file, photograph data file, facility information data file, and the like. Here, the facility information data file includes, in addition to the above-mentioned hotels, gas stations, sightseeing spot guides and the like in each region, commercial facilities such as department stores, supermarkets, shopping centers, home centers, convenience stores, and shopping malls. , Pachinko parlors, game centers, movie theaters, theme parks, amusement parks, etc., recreational facilities such as restaurants, cafeterias, etc., parking lots, parking spaces, parking facilities such as parking towers, railway stations, bus terminals, taxi stands, etc. Information such as religious facilities such as transportation facilities, shrines, temples, and graveyards, tax offices, city halls, schools, hospitals, and other public facilities, and various information such as business date and time information and festival information. desirable.

Next, the operation of the navigation device 14 having the above configuration will be described.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a display unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a method of reflecting an expected congestion area in a route search according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 1 and 5 are second diagrams showing a method of reflecting an expected traffic congestion area in a route search according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a registered image according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a process for displaying.

First, the operator sets whether or not an area in which congestion is expected due to the presence of a specific facility, that is, an expected congestion area as a specific facility concentration area is reflected in the route search. In this case, when the route search is started, a setting screen is displayed on the screen of the display unit 35 as shown in FIG. 4, so that the operator operates the operation keys and the like of the input unit 34, Select "Yes" or "No". In FIG. 4, a search is a route search to a destination, and a search is a search for information other than a route, for example, information such as information on the location of a facility or a usage fee. Note that the search will be described in the third embodiment, and will not be described in the present embodiment. Then, the operator selects “Yes” for the search and “No” for the search.

Next, when the operator operates the operation keys or the like of the input unit 34 to input a destination, the search unit 27 accesses the map information storage unit 42 and searches for a route from the current position to the destination. Here, since the route search is performed by a normal method, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the route 53 is searched for “current position → A → B → C → D → E → F → G → destination”. In addition, A to G are node points, road branch points, and the like.

Subsequently, the search unit 28 accesses the map information storage unit 42 and searches for the presence of the specific facility along the searched route. Here, a case where the specific facility is a department store will be described. In general, department stores have a high ability to attract customers, a large number of shoppers using vehicles such as automobiles gather, and there is a high possibility that roads around the department store will be jammed. Therefore, in an area where a predetermined number (for example, three stores) or more of department stores exist within a predetermined range (for example, a circle having a radius of 1000 [m]), department stores are concentrated, and it is sufficiently possible that congestion occurs. Since such an area is expected, such an area is set as an expected congestion area.

In this case, the search reference points are sequentially moved at a predetermined interval (for example, 500 [m]), and at each point of the movement destination, a predetermined radius (for example, 1000 [m]) centered on the search reference point is set. Find how many department stores are in a range. If there are three or more department stores, for example, a range of a predetermined radius centered on the search reference point is set as an expected traffic congestion area. Here, assuming that three department stores exist within a range of a predetermined radius centered on the points B and C, as shown in FIG. The range of the radius is set as the predicted traffic congestion areas 51 and 52. If there is no area where three or more department stores exist within the range, the expected congestion area is not set.

When setting the expected traffic congestion area, the business days and business hours of the department store may be considered. For example, if the predicted time of passing points B and C when traveling along the route 53 is outside the normal business hours of a department store (for example, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm), the area is set as an expected congestion area. Not to be. In this case, the search unit 28 accesses the facility information file of the map information storage unit 42 and acquires information on the business hours. Further, when the estimated time or the day of the week passing through the points B and C is a particularly crowded time zone (for example, evening) or a day of the week (for example, Sunday), a predetermined radius around the search reference point is used. Even if the number of department stores existing in the range is small (for example, two stores), it can be set as an expected congestion area or the expected congestion area can be set to a wider range (for example, a circle with a radius of 1500 [m]). You can also set. The business days and business hours may be investigated for each department store and stored in the facility information file in advance, or general business days and business hours may be used.

In addition, the popularity of each department store can be considered. In the case of a department store that is popular and has a high ability to attract customers, if the department store exists within a predetermined radius centered on the search reference point, the search cost in the range is significantly increased, or the estimated traffic congestion is increased. The region can be set to a wider range.

Then, the search means 27 resets the search costs of all the roads in the set expected traffic congestion areas 51 and 52 to a higher value, and performs the route search again. If the expected congestion area is not set, the route search is not performed again. As a result, a new route 53 ′ “current position → A → B ′ → C ′ → D → E → F → G → destination” which does not pass through the expected traffic congestion areas 51 and 52 and has a low search cost as a whole is obtained. Searched.

Next, the new route 53 'is displayed on the screen of the display unit 35 by the display control means 29, and it is recommended that the operator operates the vehicle along the new route 53'. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, the route 53 and the predicted traffic congestion regions 51 and 52 may be displayed together. Thus, the operator can visually grasp the existence of the expected congestion area, and can understand the result of the route search.

The specific facilities for setting the expected congestion area are not limited to department stores, but include other commercial facilities such as shopping centers and shopping malls, entertainment facilities, eating and drinking facilities, parking facilities, transportation facilities, religious facilities, public facilities, etc. Anything may be used. It is desirable to consider the date and time when traffic congestion is expected. For example, when the specific facility is a religious facility such as a shrine, a temple, a graveyard, etc., traffic congestion occurs during the season such as New Year's, equinoctial week, Obon, etc., and the specific facility is a traffic facility such as a railway station. In some cases, traffic congestion occurs concentrated during commuting hours, and when the specific facility is an entertainment facility such as a theme park, traffic congestion is expected to occur concentrated on Sundays and holidays. It is desirable to set the expected congestion area in consideration of the time zone, the day of the week, and the like. The season, time zone, day of the week, etc. may be investigated for each facility and stored in the facility information file in advance, or the general season, time zone, day of the week, etc. may be used. You may.

Then, what specific facility to select for setting the expected congestion area may be set in advance, or may be selected or changed by the operator. In addition, the reference for setting the expected congestion area, that is, the radius of the range centered on the search reference point and the number of specific facilities existing in the range may be set in advance, or may be selected by the operator. Or may be changed.

Here, if the operator can select or change the criteria for setting a specific facility or an expected congestion area, after the operator selects to reflect the expected congestion area in the search. The setting screen is displayed on the screen of the display unit 35 as shown in FIG. 5, and the operator operates the operation keys and the like of the input unit 34 to set the specific facility and the expected congestion area. .

As described above, in the present embodiment, after performing the route search, the information of the specific facility stored in the map information storage unit 42 is acquired, and the information is specified based on the existence of the specific facility near the route. An expected traffic congestion area is set as the facility concentration area, and the route search is performed again by reflecting the expected traffic congestion area.

Therefore, a route that avoids a congested section can be searched for without using road traffic information such as VICS information. Furthermore, even if no congestion has occurred at the present time, a new route that avoids an area where the occurrence of congestion is expected with a high probability can be searched.

Also, in general, when a certain route is congested, despite the fact that congestion also spreads to surrounding areas, a conventional navigation device searches for a route so as to avoid only the congested route obtained by the road traffic information. Although a route that passes through a congested area around the congested route will be searched, in the present embodiment, since a route search is performed so as to avoid the expected congested area, a route that passes through the congested area is searched. No need to search.

Next, a flowchart according to the present embodiment will be described.
Step S1 The operator performs setting for reflecting the expected congestion area in the route search.
Step S2 The operator inputs a destination.
Step S3: A route search from the current position to the destination is performed.
Step S4 The route “current position → A → B → C → D → E → F → G → destination” is searched.
Step S5 Search for a specific facility along the search route.
Step S6: An expected traffic congestion area is set based on the determined standard.
Step S7 Increase the search cost of the road in the expected traffic congestion area, and perform the route search again.
Step S8 A new route “current position → A → B ′ → C ′ → D → E → F → G → destination” is searched.
Step S9 A new route is recommended to the operator.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the same components and operations as those of the first embodiment will be omitted.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a display screen of a display unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a method of reflecting a specific facility concentration area in a route search according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a second diagram illustrating a method of reflecting a specific facility concentration area in a route search according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of displaying a registered image.

First, the operator sets whether or not to reflect the specific facility concentration area where the specific facility desired to be used or visited exists in the route search. The specific facility is, for example, a parking lot, a game arcade, a restaurant, or the like. Here, a case where the specific facility is a parking lot will be described. Specifically, the operator points to a destination, such as a tourist attraction, where it is difficult for the vehicle to concentrate and find a parking lot. It is assumed that the user seeks to park a vehicle by finding an appropriate parking lot for a fee, a parking space, and the like.

In this case, when the route search is started, first, as shown in FIG. 8, a setting screen is displayed on the screen of the display unit 35, and the operator operates the operation keys and the like of the input unit 34. Then, a standard for setting a specific facility and a specific facility concentration area is defined. Here, an area where three or more parking lots as specific facilities are present within a circle having a radius of 1000 [m] is defined as a specific facility concentration area. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 9, a setting screen is displayed on the screen of the display unit 35, and the operator operates the operation keys or the like of the input unit 34 to “YES” or “NO”. Select

Next, when the operator operates the operation keys or the like of the input unit 34 and inputs a destination, the search unit 27 accesses the map information storage unit 42 and executes the current position as in the first embodiment. Route search from to the destination. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, a route 56 of “current position → A → B → C → D → destination” is searched.

Subsequently, the search unit 28 accesses the map information storage unit 42 and searches for the presence of the specific facility along the searched route. Here, according to the above-described definition, an area where three or more parking lots exist within a circle having a radius of 1000 [m] is set as the specific facility concentration area 55. The method of setting the specific facility concentration area by the search means 28 is the same as the method of setting the expected traffic congestion areas 51 and 52 in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. If there is no area where three or more parking lots exist within a circle having a radius of 1000 [m], the specific facility concentration area is not set.

Then, the search unit 27 resets the search cost of all the roads in the set specific facility concentration area 55 to a low value, and performs the route search again. If the specific facility concentration area is not set, the route search is not performed again. As a result, a new route 56 ′ that passes through the specific facility concentration area 55 and has a low search cost as a whole “current position → A → B ′ → C ′ → D ′ → destination” is searched.

Next, the new route 56 'is displayed on the screen of the display unit 35 by the display control means 29, and it is recommended that the operator operates the vehicle along the new route 56'. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the route 56 and the specific facility concentration area 55 may be displayed together so that the operator can understand the result of the route search.

The specific facilities for setting the specific facility concentration area are not limited to parking lots, but may be any commercial facilities such as shopping centers and shopping malls, entertainment facilities, eating and drinking facilities, transportation facilities, religious facilities, public facilities, etc. It may be something. Then, it is desirable to consider the date and time when the facility is operating or opened. For example, when the specific facility is a restaurant, a dining facility such as a cafeteria, hours such as late night or early morning are closed, or when the specific facility is an entertainment facility such as a game center, it is open only at midnight. If the specific facility is a commercial facility such as a convenience store, it is open 24 hours a day, so it is desirable to set the specific facility concentration area in consideration of the season, time zone, day of the week, and the like. The season, time zone, day of the week, etc. may be investigated for each facility and stored in the facility information file in advance, or the general season, time zone, day of the week, etc. may be used. You may.

The specific facility to be selected for setting the specific facility concentration area may be selected from a predetermined list or an arbitrary facility name may be input. It may be. Further, the reference for setting the specific facility concentration area, that is, the radius of the range centered on the search reference point and the number of the specific facilities existing in the range may be set in advance, or the operator may set the specific facility concentration area. You may make it selectable and changeable.

As described above, in the present embodiment, after performing the route search, the information of the specific facility stored in the map information storage unit 42 is acquired, and the information is specified based on the existence of the specific facility near the route. A facility concentration area is set, and the route search is performed again by reflecting the specific facility concentration area.

Therefore, since the operator can search for a route that passes through the specific facility concentration area where the specific facilities of the type desired by the operator are densely packed, the operator can actually find a large number of specific facilities while passing through the specific facility concentration area. You can make a selection while comparing.

Next, a flowchart according to the present embodiment will be described.
Step S11: The operator defines a standard for setting the specific facility and the specific facility concentrated area.
Step S12: The operator performs setting for reflecting the specific facility concentration area in the route search.
Step S13: The operator inputs a destination.
Step S14: A route search from the current position to the destination is performed.
Step S15 The route “current position → A → B → C → D → destination” is searched.
Step S16: Search for a specific facility along the search route.
Step S17 A specific facility concentration area is set based on the defined criteria.
Step S18: The search cost of the road in the specific facility concentration area is reduced, and the route search is performed again.
Step S19: A new route “current position → A → B ′ → C ′ → D ′ → destination” is searched.
Step S20: The new route is recommended to the operator.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. It should be noted that description of those having the same structure and operation as those of the first and second embodiments will be omitted.

FIG. 11 is a first diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a display unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 reflects an expected traffic congestion area in a peripheral facility search according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a first diagram showing a method, FIG. 13 is a second diagram showing a method of reflecting a specific facility concentration area in a peripheral facility search in the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14 is a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a second diagram showing an example of the display screen of the display unit in the embodiment, and FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a process of displaying a registered image in the third embodiment of the present invention.

First, the operator sets whether or not to reflect the expected traffic congestion area as the specific facility concentration area in the peripheral facility search. In this case, when the peripheral facility search is started, a setting screen is displayed on the screen of the display unit 35 as shown in FIG. 12, and the operator operates the operation keys and the like of the input unit 34. , "Yes" or "No". In FIG. 12, a search is a route search to a destination, and a search is a search for information other than a route, for example, information such as a location of a facility and information on a usage fee. Note that the search has been described in the first embodiment, and will not be described in the present embodiment. Then, the operator selects “No” for the search and “Yes” for the search.

Next, when the operator inputs a peripheral facility to be searched or selects one from a list, the search unit 28 accesses the map information storage unit 42 to access the peripheral facility located around the current position. , That is, a peripheral facility search is performed. The peripheral facility may be any facility such as an entertainment facility, a commercial facility, a restaurant, and the like. Here, a case where the facility is a restaurant will be described. In addition, since the surrounding facility search is performed by a normal method, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. As a result of the peripheral facility search, as shown in FIG. 11, restaurants A to F as peripheral facilities located within a range 59 of a predetermined radius (for example, 10 [km]) around the current position of the vehicle. Is searched.

Subsequently, the search unit 28 accesses the map information storage unit 42 again, and searches for the presence of a specific facility for each of the searched surrounding facilities. Here, it is assumed that a specific facility where congestion is expected to occur due to its presence is a department store, and a predetermined number (for example, three stores) or more of department stores within a predetermined range (for example, a circle having a radius of 1000 [m]). Is set as an expected traffic congestion area.

In this case, the search reference points are sequentially moved to the respective positions of the peripheral facility search, and each of the movement destination points is within a predetermined radius (for example, 1000 [m]) around the search reference point. Find out how many department stores there are. When there are two or more department stores, for example, a range of a predetermined radius centered on the search reference point is set as an expected traffic congestion area. Here, assuming that two or more department stores exist within a predetermined radius centered on the points B and C, respectively, as shown in FIG. Are set as the expected traffic congestion areas 57 and 58. If there is no area where two or more department stores exist in the range, the expected congestion area is not set.

Next, the searched restaurants A to F and the estimated traffic congestion areas 57 and 58 are displayed on the screen of the display unit 35 by the display control means 29 as shown in FIG. Thereby, the operator can visually grasp the existence of the expected traffic congestion area, and can understand the result of the peripheral facility search.

Here, the degree of congestion in the expected congestion area, that is, the congestion level may be displayed based on the degree of concentration of the specific facility, that is, the degree of concentration of the specific facility. The standard of the traffic congestion level as the specific facility concentration may be set in advance, or may be selected or changed by an operator.

Then, when the operator can select or change the type of the specific facility, the standard for setting the expected congestion area, the standard of the congestion level, and the like, the operator reflects the expected congestion area in the search. After selecting to perform the setting, the setting screen is displayed on the screen of the display unit 35 as shown in FIG. 13, and the operator operates the operation keys and the like of the input unit 34 to specify the specific facility. , The standard of the expected congestion area and the congestion level are set. In this case, the result of the peripheral facility search can be displayed on the screen of the display unit 35 as shown in FIG. Here, a plurality of peripheral facilities and a traffic congestion level in an expected traffic congestion area corresponding to each of the peripheral facilities are displayed.

Further, information about the peripheral facility can be further added to the result of the peripheral facility search. For example, information such as a name of a specialty dish in a restaurant, a price range of the dish, a rating of one star, two stars, or the like may be added.

As described above, in the present embodiment, after performing a peripheral facility search, an expected traffic congestion area is set based on the presence of a specific facility near the searched peripheral facility.

Therefore, the traffic jam situation in the area around the peripheral facility desired by the operator can be grasped, so that the operator can select a desired peripheral facility while considering the traffic jam situation.

Next, a flowchart according to the present embodiment will be described.
Step S21: The operator performs setting for reflecting the expected traffic congestion area in the search.
Step S22: The operator inputs or selects a peripheral facility to be searched.
Step S23: A peripheral facility located near the current location is searched.
Step S24: The surrounding facilities "restaurants AF" are searched.
Step S25: Search for a specific facility for each peripheral facility.
Step S26 An expected traffic congestion area is set based on the determined standard.
Step S27: The surrounding facility search result is displayed together with the predicted traffic congestion information.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified based on the gist of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

For example, the present invention provides a computer for navigation for searching for a route to a destination using a search cost, a map information storage unit for storing information on a specific facility, and accessing the map information storage unit to access the specific facility. And a navigation program functioning as a search means for changing a search cost in the specific facility concentration area and searching for a route by changing a search cost in the specific facility concentration area. It is a thing. Further, a computer for navigation is used to access a map information storage means for storing information about a specific facility, to access the map information storage means to search for peripheral facilities, and to search for the specific facilities for the peripheral facilities, Search means for setting an area where facilities are concentrated as a specific facility concentration area, and display control means for displaying a plurality of peripheral facilities and a specific facility concentration degree in the specific facility concentration area corresponding to each of the peripheral facilities. It includes a navigation program to function.

Further, the present invention provides a computer for navigation for searching for a route to a destination using a search cost, a map information storage means for storing information relating to a specific facility, and accessing the map information storage means to access the specific facility. And a navigation program that functions as a search unit that changes a search cost in the specific facility concentration area and searches for a route by changing a search cost in the specific facility concentration area. Computer-readable recording medium. Further, a computer for navigation is used to access a map information storage means for storing information about a specific facility, to access the map information storage means to search for peripheral facilities, and to search for the specific facilities for the peripheral facilities, Search means for setting an area where facilities are concentrated as a specific facility concentration area, and display control means for displaying a plurality of peripheral facilities and a specific facility concentration degree in the specific facility concentration area corresponding to each of the peripheral facilities. It includes a computer-readable recording medium on which a navigation program to be operated is recorded.

By searching for an area where a specific facility is located based on the map information and searching for a route based on the area, it is possible to search for a path so as to pass through an area where required facilities are concentrated.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a display unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a navigation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing the function of the navigation device in a 1st embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a first diagram illustrating a method of reflecting an expected congestion area in a route search according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a second diagram illustrating a method of reflecting an expected traffic congestion area in a route search according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of displaying a registered image according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an example of a display screen of a display in a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a first diagram illustrating a method of reflecting a specific facility concentration area in a route search according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a 2nd figure showing the method of reflecting the specific facility concentration area in route search in a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process of displaying a registered image according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a first diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a display unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a first diagram illustrating a method of reflecting an expected congestion area in a peripheral facility search according to the third embodiment of the present invention. It is the 2nd figure which shows the method of reflecting the specific facility concentration area in the peripheral facility search in the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a second diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the display unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a process of displaying a registered image according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of reference numerals

14 Navigation device 27 Search means 28 Search means 29 Display control means 42 Map information storage means 51, 52, 57, 58 Expected congestion area 53, 56 Route 53 ', 56' New route 55 Specific facility concentrated area

Claims (3)

  (A) a map information storage unit for storing information on a specific facility; and (b) a search for a peripheral facility by accessing the map information storage unit, and a search for the specific facility for the peripheral facility. Search means for setting a concentration area as a specific facility concentration area; and (c) display control means for displaying a plurality of the peripheral facilities and a specific facility concentration degree in the specific facility concentration area corresponding to each of the peripheral facilities. A navigation device comprising:  The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the specific facility is a parking lot.  (A) a computer for navigation; (b) map information storage means for storing information on a specific facility; (c) access to the map information storage means to search for surrounding facilities; Searching means for searching for a facility and setting an area where the specific facility is concentrated as the specific facility concentrated area; and (d) specifying the plurality of peripheral facilities and the specific facility concentrated area corresponding to each of the peripheral facilities A navigation program that functions as display control means for displaying the facility concentration level.

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