JP2004294148A - Route guiding apparatus, route guidance method, route guiding system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a route guiding apparatus and a route guidance method for searching for a route, based on the most recent map data, and reducing wait time related to the route search before departure. <P>SOLUTION: A center 30 utilizes the most recent map data for searching for the passage candidate point between a current location and a destination, based on the current location information and destination information received from the route guiding apparatus 20. Additionally, the passage candidate point, where the interchange or route costs of a toll road existing within a specific one-line distance L1 are reduced, is determined as a determined passage candidate point. Then, center passage candidate point information consisting of search passage candidate point information, determined passage candidate point information, and link data is transmitted to the apparatus 20. The apparatus 20 utilizes the received center passage candidate point information to search for a first guidance route to the passage candidate point closest to the current location of a vehicle, and then searches for a second guidance route to the destination during the guidance of the first guidance route. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a route guidance device, a route guidance method, and a route guidance system that search for a route between predetermined points designated by an occupant and provide the searched route to a driver.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a route guidance (guidance) method for reducing a waiting time related to a route search before departure, for example, as described in Patent Document 1 below is known. Normally, when the distance between the departure point (current position of the vehicle) and the destination is far, the number of searchable routes increases, and the time for searching for the optimum route increases. For this reason, in the above-mentioned conventional route guidance (guidance) method, when the current location of the vehicle and the destination specified by the occupant are far apart, first, the main road data stored in advance is used. And searching for a first guidance route from a point on the main road closest to the current location of the vehicle to a point on the main road closest to the destination.
[0003]
Next, using the pre-stored general road data, an optimal second guidance route from the current location of the vehicle to a point on the main road closest to the current location of the vehicle is searched. After the search for the second guide route, the driver is guided along the second guide route to start traveling of the vehicle. Then, while the vehicle is traveling on the second guidance route, route guidance is provided to the driver while searching for an optimal route to the destination using the main road data and the general road data. I have. This allows the vehicle to start running before the optimal route search from the current position of the vehicle to the destination is completed, so that the waiting time for the route search before the departure of the occupant can be shortened.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-4-36588
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional route guidance (guidance) method, the main road data and the general road data used for the route search are data stored in advance in the vehicle-mounted device, so that the route search is performed using the latest data. You may not be able to. In some cases, route search and route guidance in consideration of traffic congestion due to a traffic obstacle occurring on a road cannot be performed. For this reason, in the route search from the departure point to the destination, it is desired that the route is searched based on the latest road data and traffic information, and that the waiting time for the route search before departure is shortened. .
[0006]
Summary of the Invention
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to address the above-described problem, and has as its object to search for a route based on the latest road data and traffic information, and to wait for a route search before departure. It is an object of the present invention to provide a route guidance device, a route guidance method, and a route guidance system that can reduce time.
[0007]
According to the present invention, a route guidance device mounted on a vehicle and a center providing various information communicate with each other, and the route guidance device searches for a route from the current position of the vehicle to a destination, and guides the searched route. The purpose of the present invention is to improve the route guidance device and the method thereof.
[0008]
The feature of the present invention resides in the following. The route guidance device determines whether the distance from the current location of the vehicle to the set destination is greater than a predetermined distance, and determines that the distance from the current location of the vehicle to the destination is greater than a predetermined distance. Then, at least current position information indicating the current position of the vehicle and destination information indicating the destination are transmitted to the center. The center receives at least current position information indicating the current position of the vehicle and destination information indicating the destination from the route guidance device, and based on the latest map data updated at a predetermined frequency, the current position information and the destination Searches for a preset passing candidate point on a road through which the vehicle can pass, which exists between the current location of the vehicle represented by the information and the destination, and represents a connection between the searched passing candidate points. Searching for connection information, creating search route information that includes at least the candidate information for passing that indicates the searched candidate passing point and the connection information, and transmits the route information to the route guidance device. The route guidance device receives the search route information transmitted from the center, and among the pass candidate points represented by the pass candidate point information included in the received search route information, is closest to the current position of the vehicle. Selecting a passing candidate point at a position, searching for a first search route from the current position of the vehicle to the nearest passing candidate point, and selecting a passing candidate point included in the search route information during route guidance of the first searching route. From among the passing candidate points represented by the information, a passing point constituting a route is determined by using a passing candidate point existing between the end point of the first search route and the destination, and the target point is determined from the end point. A second search route to the ground is searched, and the first search route and the second search route are connected to guide the search route to the destination.
[0009]
According to this, when the route guidance device determines that the distance from the current location of the vehicle to the set destination is larger than the predetermined distance, the route guidance device can communicate with the center and transmit the current location information and the destination information. it can. The center can search for passing candidate points existing between the current position of the vehicle and the destination and connection information between the passing candidate points based on the latest map data updated at a predetermined frequency. Further, the center can create search route information including at least pass candidate point information indicating the searched pass candidate points and connection information, and transmit the route information to the route guidance device.
[0010]
The route guidance device receives the search route information transmitted from the center and selects a candidate pass point closest to the current location of the vehicle from among the candidate pass points indicated by the candidate pass information included in the search route information. Then, the first guidance route can be searched. In addition, the route guidance device can search for a second guidance route from a candidate passing point closest to the current position of the vehicle to the destination during the guidance of the first guidance route.
[0011]
Therefore, the route guidance device can receive the search route information based on the latest updated map data from the center. For this reason, the route guidance device can search for a route using the latest passing candidate point information included in the search route information, and the driver can provide a suitable and optimal guidance route to the destination. Can receive. In addition, the route guidance device searches for a first guidance route by selecting a candidate passing point closest to the current location of the vehicle, and searches for a second guidance route to a destination during guidance of the first guidance route. For this reason, the route guidance device can shorten the search time related to the route search by searching for the first guide route in a short time, and the occupant can immediately reach the destination after a short waiting time before departure. You can leave for Further, the route guidance device searches for the second guidance route to the destination during the route guidance of the first guidance route, so that the occupant can depart for the destination without a sense of discomfort.
[0012]
Another feature of the present invention resides in the following. The route guidance device determines whether the distance from the current location of the vehicle to the set destination is greater than a predetermined distance, and determines that the distance from the current location of the vehicle to the destination is greater than a predetermined distance. Then, at least current position information indicating the current position of the vehicle and destination information indicating the destination are transmitted to the center. The center receives at least current position information indicating the current position of the vehicle and destination information indicating the destination from the route guidance device, and based on the latest map data updated at a predetermined frequency, the current position information and the destination Searches for a preset passing candidate point on a road through which the vehicle can pass, which exists between the current location of the vehicle represented by the information and the destination, and represents a connection between the searched passing candidate points. Searching for connection information, creating search route information including at least the passing candidate point information representing the searched passing candidate points and the connection information, and dividing the search route information for each predetermined division distance to obtain the route guidance. Send to device. The route guidance device sequentially receives the divided search route information, and combines the pass candidate points represented by the pass candidate point information included in the one split search route information received by the receiving unit, The first guide route is searched by connecting between the current position of the vehicle and the candidate passage point closest to the current position of the vehicle in the one divided search route information, and the first guide route is searched by the first route search means. During the route guidance of the first guide route, the second guide route is formed by combining the pass candidate points represented by the pass candidate point information included in the other divided search route information from the end point of the first guide route. Explore.
[0013]
According to this, the route guidance device can receive the divided search route information from the center, so that the communication time can be shortened, and the search time related to the route search can be shortened. Further, since the search route information is divided, the data amount of the provided search route information can be reduced, and even if the route guidance apparatus has a small storage capacity of the storage device, the search route information is provided from the center. be able to.
[0014]
Another feature of the present invention is that the search route information transmitted by the center is created based on the latest traffic information. According to this, when search route information is created based on, for example, traffic congestion information as the latest traffic information, it is possible to search for a guidance route that avoids traffic congestion, and the driver can use a more suitable and optimal Guidance based on the guidance route can be received.
[0015]
Further, another feature of the present invention is that the route guidance device is configured such that, among pass candidate points represented by pass candidate point information included in the search route information received from the center, the predetermined position is determined from the current location of the vehicle. If a toll road interchange is included in the candidate pass points existing up to the distance, the toll road interchange is preferentially determined as the pass point. According to this, the route guidance device preferentially determines an interchange of a toll road as a passing point, so that it is possible to search for a guidance route with a small route cost that is advantageous in terms of time and distance for vehicle traveling. For this reason, the burden on the driver for driving can be reduced.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
a. First embodiment
[0017]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 schematically shows a route guidance system in which a route guidance device 20 and a center 30 according to a first embodiment of the present invention are communicably connected. The route guidance device 20 mounted on the vehicle is connected to the position detector 10.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 2, the position detector 10 includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 11, a gyroscope 12, and a vehicle speed sensor 13, and is used to detect the current position of the vehicle. The GPS receiver 11 receives radio waves for detecting the current location of the vehicle from satellites, and detects and outputs the position of the vehicle as coordinate data. The gyroscope 12 detects and outputs the turning speed of the vehicle for detecting the traveling direction of the vehicle. The vehicle speed sensor 13 detects and outputs the traveling speed of the vehicle. The detection values output from the GPS receiver 11, the gyroscope 12, and the vehicle speed sensor 13 are supplied to the microcomputer 21 of the route guidance device 20, which will be described later, so that the microcomputer 21 detects the current position of the vehicle. can do.
[0019]
The route guidance device 20 includes a microcomputer 21, and an external memory 22, a display device 23, and an operation switch group 24 are connected to the microcomputer 21. The microcomputer 21 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a timer, and the like as main components, and detects the current position of the vehicle by executing various programs including the route guidance device-side program in FIG. 4 and the route guidance program in FIG. It executes processes such as acquiring various information from the center 30 described later, searching for a guide route from the current location of the vehicle to the destination, and providing guidance according to the guide route.
[0020]
The external memory 22 is configured by a writable nonvolatile memory such as a hard disk and a nonvolatile RAM, and stores the program executed by the microcomputer 21 and various information provided from the center 30. Further, the external memory 22 stores in advance map data used for route search processing of the microcomputer 21 and voice data used for route guidance processing. The stored map data and audio data can be obtained with the latest data through communication with the center 30, and can be updated to the latest state and stored.
[0021]
Here, the map data will be described. The map data includes a plurality of road data and background data on a background such as a mountain and the sea. The road data includes a set of a plurality of link data 1, 2,..., And each link data includes a link data name representing a link connecting two nodes on the road map, a road type (toll road, Road type data representing national roads, prefectural roads, etc.) and node data representing node positions. Nodes are determined in advance at locations where roads intersect, toll road interchanges and junctions, where roads are curved, where road widths change, positions where road types change, and positions where the degree of congestion changes. ing.
[0022]
The display device 23 includes a liquid crystal display (not shown) or the like, and displays a road map, the current location of the vehicle, a guidance route, various operation instruction buttons, and the like. The operation switch group 24 externally gives various instructions (for example, setting of a destination) by the occupant or the driver to the microcomputer 21. It includes an operation switch and a touch switch integrated with the liquid crystal display of the display device 23. The touch switch is provided on the back surface of the liquid crystal display, and is provided to detect a touch operation position on the liquid crystal display by an occupant or a driver.
[0023]
The microcomputer 21 is also connected to a voice recognition unit 25, a speaker 26, and a communication device 27. The voice recognition unit 25 is used in place of the operation switch group 24 and has a built-in microphone. The voice recognition unit 25 recognizes an instruction by a voice of an occupant or a driver and gives the instruction to the microcomputer 21. . The speaker 26 provides a driver with guidance of a guide route and other information by voice. The communication device 27 enables wireless communication with the center 30. An antenna 27a for wireless communication is connected to the communication device 27.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 3, the center 30 includes a control device 31, a storage device 32, and a communication device 33 which are communicably connected to each other. The control device 31 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a timer, and the like as main components. The control device 31 executes various programs including the center-side program in FIG. 4 and the passing point search program in FIG. The operation of 33 is generally controlled. Then, as will be described later, a process of searching and providing information on candidate passage points between the current position and the destination of the vehicle received from the route guidance device 20 and providing various types of information are executed.
[0025]
The storage device 32 includes a recording medium such as a hard disk, a CD-ROM, and a DVD-ROM, and a drive device for the recording medium, and stores various programs and various data including the program executed by the control device 31. ing. In the hard disk of the storage device 32, a map database 32a for retrievably storing the latest and detailed map data nationwide is constructed. Here, the map data stored in the map database 32a has the same configuration as the map data stored in the external memory 22 of the route guidance device 20, and is updated and stored at a predetermined frequency. ing. Thus, the map data relating to the newly laid road is also stored.
[0026]
The communication device 33 enables wireless communication with the route guidance device 20. An antenna 33a for wireless communication is connected to the communication device 33. Here, the communication between the route guidance device 20 and the center 30 is performed wirelessly using the antenna 27a and the antenna 33a, but is performed by a normal method and has no characteristic. Therefore, in the following description, in the case of simply receiving and transmitting, it is assumed that an appropriate communication method is adopted for these.
[0027]
Next, the operation of the first embodiment configured as described above will be described. When the driver turns on an ignition (not shown), the microcomputer 21 of the route guidance device 20 repeatedly executes the main program shown in FIG. 4 every predetermined short time.
[0028]
The main program is started in step S10, and the microcomputer 21 determines in step S11 whether a destination setting has been requested by an occupant or a driver. More specifically, when setting a desired destination, the occupant or the driver operates the switch for instructing the destination setting in the operation switch group 24 and requests the destination setting. If the destination setting is not requested during the repeated execution of the main program, “No” is determined in step S11, and the process proceeds to step S19 described below.
[0029]
In step S19, if the occupant or the driver has not made a request for setting a destination and the main program is repeatedly executed, the destination has not been input and the guidance route has not been searched. However, the execution of the route guidance program is temporarily terminated by the determination processing in step S102 of the route guidance program, and then the execution of the main program is started. Therefore, this point does not pose a problem.
[0030]
If the destination setting is requested during the repetitive execution of the main program, it is determined as “Yes” in step S11, and the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the driver or the driver is prompted to input a destination. That is, the microcomputer 21 instructs the display device 23 to display the destination input screen on a liquid crystal display (not shown). The display device 23 displays a predetermined destination input screen on the liquid crystal display according to the instruction. The occupant or driver touches the operation instruction button displayed at a predetermined position on the liquid crystal display, for example, displays a map around the destination, or displays a screen for inputting a telephone number, a facility name, etc. Or enter a destination. As described above, when the destination is input, the microcomputer 21 temporarily stores destination information (for example, coordinate data) representing the input destination in a RAM (not shown).
[0031]
In steps S11 and S12, the occupant or the driver operates the operation switch group 24 to request the microcomputer 21 to set a destination and to input the destination. However, the occupant or the driver can use the voice recognition unit 25 to request a destination setting and input the destination. That is, the occupant or the driver may request the destination of the microphone of the voice recognition unit 25 by, for example, pronouncing “destination setting”, or requesting the destination setting by pronouncing “XX shopping center”. It is possible to enter the ground. In this case, the voice recognition unit 25 recognizes the voice input contents of the occupant or the driver, and supplies the same to the microcomputer 21. Thereby, the microcomputer 21 can recognize the destination setting request and the destination, and execute the processing of step S11 and step S12.
[0032]
When the destination is input in step S12, the microcomputer 21 determines in step S13 that the linear distance from the current position of the vehicle to the input destination is a predetermined linear distance from the current position of the vehicle. It is determined whether it is larger than L1 (for example, 100 km). Here, the predetermined linear distance L1 is a distance determined based on a route search range in which the route search time by the microcomputer 21 can be relatively short. More specifically, the microcomputer 21 acquires each detection value output from the position detector 10 and detects the current location of the vehicle. Then, the linear distance between the detected current position and the destination represented by the destination information temporarily stored in the RAM is calculated by using a known method. Then, the microcomputer 21 compares the calculated linear distance with the predetermined linear distance L1.
[0033]
As a result of this comparison, if the calculated linear distance is equal to or less than the predetermined linear distance L1, the microcomputer 21 determines “No” and proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the microcomputer 21 uses the external memory 22 to search for a guidance route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination. Then, using the voice data stored in the external memory 22, voice data corresponding to the searched guide route is searched, and guide route information including the searched guide route and the voice data is provided to the guide to the destination. The information is stored in a predetermined storage position of the external memory 22 as the path information. Then, in step S19, a route guidance program described later is executed to guide the driver on a guidance route to the destination.
[0034]
As described above, if the straight-line distance to the destination input by the occupant or the driver is equal to or less than the predetermined straight-line distance L1, the route guidance device 20 uses the map data stored in the external memory 22 to Search for a guide route from the current location to the destination. At this time, since the search time for the route search of the microcomputer 21 can be relatively short, the waiting time of the occupant or the driver can be shortened, and the driver can immediately enter the destination. The running of the vehicle can be started.
[0035]
If the calculated straight-line distance is larger than the predetermined straight-line distance L1 in step S13, the microcomputer 21 determines “Yes” and proceeds to step S15. In step S15, the current location information indicating the current location of the detected vehicle, the destination information temporarily stored in the RAM, and the passing candidate point provision request information indicating the provision of the passing candidate points are transmitted to the center 30. I do. The passing candidate point provision request information also includes information indicating the predetermined linear distance L1 used by the microcomputer 21. That is, the microcomputer 21 provides the current position information, the destination information, and the candidate passage point request information to the communication device 27, and instructs the communication device 27 to transmit the information to the center 30. The communication device 27 acquires the information and transmits the acquired information to the center 30 according to the instruction.
[0036]
In the center 30, the control device 31 transmits, via the communication device 33, the current position information, the destination information and the passing candidate point provision request information transmitted from the route guidance device 20 in the process of step S15 in step C10. Receive. Then, the received information is temporarily stored in a RAM (not shown) of the control device 31, and the process proceeds to step C11. In step C11, the control device 31 executes a passing candidate point search processing routine shown in FIG.
[0037]
This passage candidate point search processing routine is started in step C100, and the control device 31 may refer to when searching for a route that exists between the current position and the destination of the vehicle in step C101. A node (in the following description, this node is referred to as a passing candidate point) is searched. More specifically, the control device 31 specifies the current location and the destination of the vehicle using the current location information and the destination information received in step C10 and temporarily stored in the RAM (not shown). Then, the control device 31 uses the map data stored in the map database 32a of the storage device 32 to search for all the passing candidate points existing between the current position and the destination of the specified vehicle.
[0038]
After the search processing in step C101, in step C102, the control device 31 determines whether there is a toll road (for example, an expressway) within a predetermined linear distance L1 from the current location of the vehicle, and whether there is a section where this toll road can be used. Is determined. This is to reduce the route cost of the guide route by using a toll road. This will be specifically described with reference to FIG. The vehicle is stopped at the current location S as shown in FIG. The control device 31 confirms the predetermined linear distance L1 based on the passing candidate point provision request information received and stored in step C10. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the control device 31 uses the confirmed predetermined linear distance L1 to set a search area centered on the current position of the vehicle and having a radius equal to the predetermined linear distance L1. Further, the control device 31 uses the map data of the map database 32a of the storage device 32 to check whether or not a toll road exists within the set search area. By this confirmation processing, in FIG. 6, it is confirmed that the toll road 1 and the toll road 2 represented by double lines are present in the search area.
[0039]
As described above, if there is a toll road in the set search area, the control device 31 determines “Yes” in step C102 and proceeds to step C103. In step C103, an interchange for getting on the toll road (hereinafter referred to as a ride IC entrance) and an interchange for getting off from the toll road (hereinafter referred to as a descending IC exit) confirmed in step C102. Of which, the vehicle I. closest to the current position of the vehicle. C. Entrance and descent I. C. The exit is determined as a candidate passage point. More specifically, referring to FIG. 6, as described above, the toll road 1 and the toll road 2 exist in the set search area. And the respective powers I. C. Inlet 1, descending I. C. Exit 1 and Square I. C. Inlet 2, descending I. C. It has an outlet 2. In this case, the control device 31 determines the ride I.D. of the toll road 1 closest to the current location S of the vehicle. C. Inlet 1 and descending I. C. Exit 1 is determined as a determined passage candidate point. When the determined passing candidate point is determined as described above, the process proceeds to step C105.
[0040]
If there is no toll road in the set search area in step C102, the control device 31 determines “No” and proceeds to step C104. In step C104, the control device 31 determines, as the determined passage candidate point, a passage candidate point having a lower route cost among the passage candidate points searched in step C101. Here, the calculation of the route cost will be briefly described. The route cost is calculated by multiplying the link length by a road width coefficient, a road type coefficient, and a congestion coefficient for each link, and accumulating the multiplication results. The route cost calculated in this way is an index that indicates a route that is advantageous in terms of time, distance, and the like for running the vehicle, and indicates the priority of the route. Then, the route that minimizes the route cost is finally determined as the search route. In this type of route search, the Dijkstra method can be used.
[0041]
After the process of step C104, the process proceeds to step C105, where the control device 31 creates center passage candidate point information to be transmitted to the route guidance device 20. That is, the control device 31 performs search pass candidate point information indicating the pass candidate points searched in step C101, and determined pass candidate point information indicating the determined pass candidate points determined in step C103 or step 104; Center pass candidate point information including link data between the searched pass candidate points or the determined determined pass candidate points is created. In step C103, the power I.I. C. Entrance and descent I. C. When the exit is determined as the determined passage candidate point, information indicating an available toll road is also included in the determined passage candidate point information. After the creation processing in step C105, the process proceeds to step C106, and the execution of the passage candidate point search processing routine ends.
[0042]
Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 4 again, in step C12, the control device 31 supplies the center pass candidate point information created by executing the pass candidate point search processing routine to the communication device 33 and transmits the center pass candidate point information to the route guidance device 20. To instruct. The communication device 33 acquires the center passage candidate point information and transmits the center passage candidate point information to the route guidance device 20 according to the instruction.
[0043]
In the route guidance device 20, the microcomputer 21 receives the center passage candidate point information transmitted from the center 30 by the transmission processing in step C12 in step S16. Then, the microcomputer 21 stores the received center passage candidate point information in a predetermined storage position of the external memory 22, and proceeds to step S17. In step S17, the microcomputer 21 executes the combining process between the determined passing candidate points by using the determined passing candidate point information and the link data of the center passing candidate point information stored at the predetermined storage position of the external memory 22. .
[0044]
More specifically, the microcomputer 21 acquires the determined passing candidate point information and the link data of the center passing candidate point information stored at a predetermined storage position of the external memory 22. Then, the determined passage candidate points are combined based on the acquired link data. At this time, the determined passing candidate point is the power I.I. C. Entrance and descent I. C. When the vehicle is at the exit, use the information indicating the toll road to take the ride I.D. C. Inlet, descending I. C. Combine exits and toll roads. This makes it possible to search for a route with a small route cost. After the combining process of the determined passing candidate points, the process proceeds to step S18.
[0045]
In step S18, first guidance route information from the current position of the vehicle to the nearest candidate passage point is created. More specifically, first, the microcomputer 21 acquires the determined passing candidate point information constituting the center passing point information stored in the predetermined storage position of the external memory 22, and determines the determined passing candidate point represented by the information. From among the points, the candidate candidate point that is closest to the current position of the vehicle is selected. At this time, the determined passing candidate point is the power I.I. C. Entrance and descent I. C. When you are at the exit, C. Choose an entrance. Then, the microcomputer 21 searches for a guidance route from the current position of the vehicle to the nearest determined passage candidate point.
[0046]
In addition, the microcomputer 21 acquires voice data corresponding to the searched guidance route from the voice data stored in the external memory 22. Then, the microcomputer 21 creates first guide route information including the guide route information indicating the guide route and the voice data, and stores the first guide route information in a predetermined storage position of the external memory 22. As described above, the first guidance route is searched for in a relatively short time, and in step S19 described later, the route guidance program is executed, so that the waiting time before departure is shortened and the vehicle starts running. be able to.
[0047]
After the first guide route information creation process in step S18, the process proceeds to step S19, where the microcomputer 21 executes a route guide program shown in FIG. This route guidance program is interrupted to the execution of the main program. The route guidance program starts in step S100, and temporarily stops execution of the main program in step S101. Next, the microcomputer 21 determines whether or not the guidance route has been searched in step S102.
[0048]
That is, if the microcomputer 21 has not searched for a guidance route in the above-described steps S14 and S18 or step S20 described later, the microcomputer 21 determines “No” and proceeds to step S109 to resume the execution of the main program. Then, after the execution of the main program is resumed, the execution of the route guidance program is terminated in step S110. On the other hand, if the guide route is being searched, the microcomputer 21 determines “Yes” in step S102 and proceeds to step S103. In step S103, the microcomputer 21 starts to provide a guidance route based on the guidance route information searched and stored in the external memory 22.
[0049]
More specifically, the microcomputer 21 supplies the display device 23 with the guide route information stored in the predetermined storage position of the external memory 22 by executing the above-described steps S14, S18, or S20, and displays the information on the liquid crystal display. Instruct the user to display the guidance screen. The display device 23 displays a road map and a background on the liquid crystal display using the map data stored in the external memory 22 according to the instruction, and displays a search route based on the supplied guide route information. I do. At this time, the microcomputer 21 supplies the detected current position to the display device 23 and instructs to display the current position of the vehicle. Thus, the current position of the vehicle is updated and displayed on the liquid crystal display of the display device 23 according to the movement of the vehicle.
[0050]
The microcomputer 21 reproduces the voice data of the guide route information via the speaker 26, and guides the driver through the guide route by voice. Here, the route guidance by the microcomputer 21 is executed when guidance is required for the driver, for example, when the vehicle is traveling and the driver guides a right turn or a left turn. For this reason, the microcomputer 21 does not need to always execute the process of guiding the route, and if the guidance is necessary when interrupted in a predetermined short time, the guidance process is executed.
[0051]
After the route guidance processing is executed in step S103, in step S104, the microcomputer 21 determines whether or not guidance route information to the destination has been created. That is, if the main program is repeatedly executed every predetermined short time and guide route information to the destination has been created by executing the main program up to the previous time, the microcomputer 21 determines “Yes”. In step S105, it is determined whether the vehicle has arrived at the destination.
[0052]
The determination process in step S105 is repeatedly performed until the vehicle arrives at the destination and is determined to be “Yes”. If it is determined that the vehicle has arrived at the destination, the determination is “Yes” and the process proceeds to step S106, and voice guidance such as “arrival at the destination” is executed for the driver. Then, the execution of the route guidance program is terminated in step S110.
[0053]
On the other hand, at the time of execution of the process of step S104, if the guide route information to the destination has not been created by executing the main program up to the previous time, the microcomputer 21 determines “No” and proceeds to step S107.
[0054]
In step S107, the microcomputer 21 determines whether or not the vehicle has arrived at the end point of the first guidance route, that is, the candidate passage point selected in step S18. If the vehicle has arrived at the end point of the first guidance route, the determination is “Yes” and the process proceeds to step S108, where the guidance of the guidance route is stopped, and the process proceeds to step S109. This is because the second guidance route to be guided to the driver has not been searched yet. On the other hand, if the vehicle has not arrived at the candidate passing point, the microcomputer 21 determines “No” and proceeds to step S109. In step S109, the microcomputer 21 restarts the execution of the main program, and temporarily ends the execution of the route guidance program in step S110.
[0055]
Thus, when the execution of the main program is resumed, the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. 4 and step S20 is executed. That is, in step S20, the microcomputer 21 creates second guide route information from the candidate passage point selected in step S18 to the destination. More specifically, the microcomputer 21 searches for a route by using the passing candidate points represented by the determined passing candidate point information and the searched passing candidate point information among the center passing candidate point information stored in the external memory 22. I do. At this time, the microcomputer 21 assumes a plurality of sets of routes connecting the passing candidate point selected in step S18 to the destination by a plurality of links, and for each of the assumed routes, from the starting point to the destination. Are calculated by accumulating the respective route search data corresponding to the plurality of links. Then, the route with the smallest route cost is determined as the guide route.
[0056]
Further, the microcomputer 21 searches the voice data stored in the external memory 22 to obtain the voice data corresponding to the guidance route. Then, second guide route information including guide route information representing the guide route to the destination and the acquired voice data is created.
[0057]
After the processing in step S20, the microcomputer 21 determines in step S21 the guide route of the first guide route information created in step S18 and the guide route of the second guide route information created in step S20. Combine with each other. Specifically, the end point of the guide route of the first guide route information and the starting point of the guide route of the second guide route information are both the pass candidate points selected in step S18 and are the same pass points. For this reason, the microcomputer 21 connects using the passing candidate points. Then, the combined guide route of the first guide route information and the guide route of the second guide route information are stored in a predetermined storage position of the external memory 22 as guide route information to the destination, and the process proceeds to step S22. Terminate the execution of the program once.
[0058]
As can be understood from the above description, according to the first embodiment, when the destination input by the occupant is larger than the predetermined linear distance L1km from the current position of the vehicle, the route guidance device 20 By communicating with the center 30 and receiving the center passing candidate point information, the latest passing candidate point can be provided. For this reason, the driver can receive guidance of a suitable and optimal guidance route to the destination.
[0059]
In addition, the route guidance device 20 determines a candidate passage point closest to the current location of the vehicle, searches for the first guidance route, and searches for a second guidance route to the destination during the guidance of the first guidance route. Therefore, the route guidance device 20 can shorten the search time related to the route search by searching the first guidance route in a short time, and the occupant can immediately reach the destination after a short waiting time before departure. You can leave for. Further, the route guidance device 20 searches for the second guidance route to the destination during the route guidance of the first guidance route, so that the occupant can depart for the destination without a sense of discomfort.
[0060]
b. Second embodiment
In the first embodiment, if the destination input by the occupant or the driver exceeds the predetermined straight-line distance L1, the route guidance device 20 transmits all the center passage candidate point information from the center 30 to the destination at one time. Implemented to receive. However, the center 30 divides and provides the center passage candidate point information within a predetermined distance range from the current position of the vehicle, and the route guidance device 20 searches for a guidance route while sequentially receiving the divided center passage candidate point information. It is also possible to carry out. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described in detail. The same portions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0061]
In the main program of the second embodiment, steps S13 and C11 and C12 in the flowchart of the main program of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4 are changed to steps S30 and C20 and C21, respectively, as shown in FIG. Have been. Step S17. Of the flowchart of the main program of the first embodiment. Steps S18, S20, and S21 are omitted, and steps S31 and S32 are added.
[0062]
Then, in the second embodiment, when the driver turns on an ignition (not shown), an initialization process (not shown) is executed, and each variable is set to an initial value. The microcomputer 21 of the route guidance device 20 repeatedly executes the main program shown in FIG. 8 every predetermined short time. That is, in step S10, execution of the main program is started, and in subsequent step S11, it is determined whether or not an occupant or driver has requested destination setting. If the request for the destination setting by the occupant or the driver is not detected, the microcomputer 21 determines “No” in step S11, proceeds to step S31, and executes the route guidance program of the second embodiment described later by interruption. I do.
[0063]
Also in the second embodiment, if the main program is repeatedly executed without the occupant or driver requesting the destination setting, the route is not searched because the destination is not input. . However, if the route is not searched by the determination processing in step S152 of the route guidance program described later, the route guidance program is not executed, so this point does not pose a problem.
[0064]
On the other hand, if the request for the destination setting by the occupant or the driver is detected, the microcomputer 21 determines “Yes” in step S11, and prompts the occupant to input the destination in step S12. . Then, in step S12, when the destination is input by the occupant, the destination information (for example, coordinate data) representing the input destination is temporarily stored in the RAM, and the process proceeds to step S30.
[0065]
In step S30, it is determined whether or not the linear distance from the current position of the vehicle to the destination is greater than a predetermined linear distance L2 (for example, 150 km) from the current position of the vehicle. Here, the predetermined linear distance L2 is a distance determined based on a search range in which the route search time by the microcomputer 21 and the communication time related to information transmission from the center 30 can be made relatively short. More specifically, the microcomputer 21 acquires each detection value output from the position detector 10 and detects the current location of the vehicle. Then, the linear distance between the detected current position and the destination represented by the destination information temporarily stored in the RAM is calculated by using a known method. Then, the microcomputer 21 compares the calculated linear distance with a predetermined linear distance L2.
[0066]
As a result of this comparison, if the calculated linear distance is equal to or less than the predetermined linear distance L2, the microcomputer 21 determines “No” and proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the microcomputer 21 uses the external memory 22 to search for a guidance route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination. After searching for a guide route, the process proceeds to step S19, in which a route guide program described later is executed to guide the driver on a guide route to the destination.
[0067]
As described above, if the linear distance to the destination input by the occupant or the driver is equal to or less than the predetermined linear distance L2, the route guidance device 20 Search for a guide route from the current location to the destination. At this time, since the search time for the route search of the microcomputer 21 can be relatively short, the waiting time of the occupant or the driver can be shortened, and the driver can immediately enter the destination. The running of the vehicle can be started.
[0068]
If the calculated straight-line distance is greater than the predetermined straight-line distance L2 in step S30, the microcomputer 21 determines “Yes” and proceeds to step S15. In step S15, current position information indicating the current position of the vehicle, destination information temporarily stored in the RAM, and passing candidate point provision request information indicating provision of passing candidate points are transmitted to the center 30. Note that the passing candidate point provision request information also includes information indicating the predetermined linear distance L2 used by the microcomputer 21.
[0069]
In the center 30, the control device 31 receives the current location information, the destination information, and the passing point provision request information transmitted from the route guidance device 20 by the transmission process of step S15 in step C10, and proceeds to step C20. The pass point detection processing routine is executed. This pass point detection processing routine is started in step C150 as shown in FIG. 9, and the control device 31 searches in step C151 for all pass candidate points from the current position of the vehicle to the destination.
[0070]
More specifically, the control device 31 specifies the current location and the destination of the vehicle using the current location information and the destination information received in step C10 and temporarily stored in the RAM (not shown). Further, the control device 31 uses the map database 32a of the storage device 32 to search for all the passing candidate points existing between the current position and the destination of the specified vehicle.
[0071]
After the search processing in step C151, in step C152, the control device 31 determines whether there is a toll road (for example, an expressway) between the current location of the vehicle and the destination, and whether there is a section where this toll road can be used. Is determined. That is, the control device 31 uses the map data of the map database 32a of the storage device 32 to check whether or not a toll road exists between the current location of the vehicle and the destination. As a result of this confirmation processing, if there is a toll road in the set search area, the control device 31 determines “Yes” in step C152, and proceeds to step C153. In step C153, the ride I.D. on the toll road existing between the current location of the vehicle and the destination is performed. C. Entrance and descent I. C. The exit is temporarily stored in a RAM (not shown) as a determined passage candidate point. This is to reduce the route cost of the guide route by using a toll road.
[0072]
If there is no toll road between the current position and the destination of the vehicle in step C152, the control device 31 determines “No” and proceeds to step C154. In step C154, the control device 31 uses a passing candidate point existing between the current position and the destination of the vehicle to temporarily set a passing candidate point at which the route cost becomes small as a determined passing candidate point in a RAM (not shown). And the process proceeds to Step C155.
[0073]
In step C155, center pass candidate point information for transmitting the determined pass candidate point determined in step C153 or step C154 to the route guidance device 20 is created. That is, the control device 31 determines the center passage candidate point information including the determined passage candidate point information indicating the determined passage candidate point determined in step C153 or step C154 and link data between the determined passage candidate points. create. After the creation processing in step C155, the process proceeds to step C156, and the execution of the passage candidate point search processing routine ends.
[0074]
Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 8 again, in step C21, the control device 31 divides the center pass candidate point information created by executing the pass candidate point search processing routine by a predetermined distance L3 (for example, 100 km). The divided center passage candidate point information is transmitted to the route guidance device 20. More specifically, the control device 31 uses the predetermined linear distance L3 to set a divided area whose center is the current position of the vehicle and whose radius is the predetermined linear distance L3. Then, the control device 31 determines the determined passing candidate point information and the link data, which are present in the divided area, out of the determined passing candidate point information and the link data constituting the center passing candidate point information from the current position to the destination of the vehicle. select.
[0075]
As described above, when the selected candidate passage candidate point information and the link data existing in the divided area are selected, the control device 31 instructs the route guidance device 20 to pass through the center passage constituted by the selected determined candidate passage candidate point information and the link data. The candidate point information (hereinafter referred to as division center passing candidate point information) is transmitted. In the route guidance device 20, the microcomputer 21 receives the divided center passage point information in step S16, and stores the received divided center passage candidate point information in a predetermined storage position of the external memory 22 in step S31. Proceed to.
[0076]
In step S31, the microcomputer 21 searches for a guide route using the division center passage candidate point information. More specifically, the microcomputer 21 combines the determined passage candidate points by using the determined passage candidate points and the link data represented by the determined passage candidate point information of the divided center passage candidate point information, thereby forming a guidance route. Explore. At this time, the determined passing candidate point is the power I.I. C. Entrance and descent I. C. When the vehicle is at the exit, use the information indicating the toll road to take the ride I.D. C. Inlet, descending I. C. A guide route is searched by connecting the exit and the toll road. Then, voice data corresponding to the searched guide route is searched, and guide route information including information representing the guide route and voice data is stored in a predetermined storage position of the external memory 22.
[0077]
Here, in the search of the guide route, the starting point of the guide route to be searched is different before the departure of the vehicle and during the travel of the vehicle. That is, before the departure of the vehicle, the starting point of the guidance route is the current location of the vehicle. Therefore, before departure of the vehicle, the microcomputer 21 determines the current position of the vehicle and the determined passing candidate point closest to the current position of the vehicle among the determined passing candidate points represented by the determined passing candidate point information of the divided center passing candidate point information. A guide route is searched by combining the candidate points. On the other hand, while the vehicle is traveling, the end point of the guidance route searched using the already received divided center passing candidate point information and the route to be searched using the divided center passing candidate point information received from the center 30 next time are determined. By combining the origins, a new guide route is searched.
[0078]
When the microcomputer 21 performs a guide search based on the determined passing candidate point information of the divided center passing candidate point information, all of the determined passing candidate points are present in the area set by the predetermined linear distance L2. Since there is no need to calculate and compare route costs, a guide route can be searched in a short time.
[0079]
When the guide route information is created in step S31, the microcomputer 21 proceeds to step S19, and interrupts and executes the route guide program shown in FIG. The route guidance program is started in step S150, and temporarily stops execution of the main program in step S151. Next, the microcomputer 21 determines in step S152 whether or not a guide route has been searched.
[0080]
That is, if the microcomputer 21 has not searched for a guidance route in steps S14 and S31, the microcomputer 21 determines "No", proceeds to step S161, and resumes execution of the main program. Then, after restarting the execution of the main program, the execution of the route guidance program is terminated in step S162. On the other hand, if the microcomputer 21 is searching for a guide route, the microcomputer 21 determines “Yes” in step S152, and proceeds to step S153. In step S153, the microcomputer 21 starts guiding the guidance route based on the guidance route information searched and stored in the external memory 22.
[0081]
In step S153, based on the guide route information stored in the predetermined storage position of the external memory 22, the search route is displayed on the liquid crystal display of the display device 23, and the audio data is reproduced via the speaker 26. Provides route guidance to the driver. Also in the second embodiment, the route guidance by the microcomputer 21 is executed when the driver needs guidance, for example, when the vehicle is running and the driver turns right or left. That is, the microcomputer 21 does not need to always execute the process of guiding the route, and executes the guidance process when the guidance is required.
[0082]
After the route guidance processing is executed in step S153, in step S154, the microcomputer 21 starts at the end point of the currently guided guidance route by the time the main program is executed last time. It is determined whether a guidance route is being searched. That is, if the search for the next guide route has been completed and the new guide route information has been stored in the predetermined storage position of the external memory 22, the microcomputer 21 determines "Yes" and proceeds to step S155. If the search for the next guide route has not been completed and the new guide route information has not been stored in the predetermined storage position of the external memory 22, the microcomputer 21 determines "No" and determines in step S158 and subsequent steps. Execute the process.
[0083]
In step S155, it is determined whether the end point of the guide route guided by the route guide program executed this time is the destination. If the end point is the destination, "Yes" is determined, and the process proceeds to step S156, where it is determined whether the vehicle has arrived at the destination. If it is determined that the vehicle has arrived at the destination, the determination is “Yes” and the process proceeds to step S157, and a voice guidance such as “Arrival at the destination” is executed for the driver. Then, the execution of the route guidance program ends in step S162.
[0084]
On the other hand, if the end point of the guide route guided by the route guide program to be executed this time is not the destination, the microcomputer 21 determines “No” and executes the processing after step S158. That is, in step S158, it is determined whether or not the distance between the end point of the currently guided guide route and the current location of the vehicle traveling on the guide route is less than a predetermined distance L4 (for example, 10 km). The predetermined distance L4 is a distance set based on the time and the vehicle speed required to receive the divided center passage candidate point information from the center 30 and search for a guide route. That is, if the distance between the end point and the current location of the vehicle is less than the predetermined distance L4, the determination is “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S159, and the guidance on the guidance route is stopped. Then, in a succeeding step S160, a passing candidate point information acquisition flag FRG for acquiring the next division center passing candidate point information is set to "1", and the process proceeds to step S161. The initial value of the passing candidate point information acquisition flag FRG is set to “0” by an initialization process (not shown).
[0085]
If the distance between the end point and the current location of the vehicle is equal to or longer than the predetermined distance L4 in step S158, it is determined to be “No”, the process proceeds to step S161, and the execution of the main program is restarted in step S161. After the execution restart processing of the main program in step S161, the execution of the route guidance program is temporarily ended in step S162.
[0086]
Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 8 again, in step S32, it is determined whether or not the passing candidate point information acquisition flag FRG is set to “1” by executing the route guidance program. That is, if the passing candidate point information acquisition flag FRG is “1”, the microcomputer 21 determines “Yes”, returns to step S15, and acquires the division center passing candidate point information. Then, the next guide route is searched for in step S31, new guide route information is stored in a predetermined storage position of the external memory 22, and the route guide program is executed in step S19. On the other hand, if the passing candidate point information acquisition flag FRG is not “1”, the microcomputer 21 determines “No”, proceeds to step S22, and ends the execution of the main program once.
[0087]
As can be understood from the above description, according to the second embodiment, similarly to the above-described embodiment, the driver can receive guidance on a suitable and optimal guidance route to the destination. At the same time, the communication time can be shortened and the waiting time for the occupant's route search can be shortened. Also, the data amount of the provided divided center search route information can be reduced, and even if the route guidance device 20 has a small storage capacity of the external memory 22, the center can provide the divided center passage candidate point information. .
[0088]
c. Third embodiment
In the first and second embodiments, the determined passage candidate point is determined based on the latest map data stored in the external memory 22 of the route guidance device 20 or the storage device 32 of the center 30, and the route guidance device No. 20 was implemented to search for and guide a guidance route from the current location of the vehicle to the destination. In the search of the guide route, traffic obstacles (for example, traffic congestion and road construction) generated from the current position of the vehicle to the destination are sequentially obtained, and the candidate for a determined passage is searched for, and the candidate for the determined passage is used. It is also possible to carry out to search for a guidance route. Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described in detail, but the same portions as those in the first or second embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0089]
The route guidance system of the third embodiment is different from the route guidance systems of the first and second embodiments shown in FIG. 1 through a communication line NW (for example, the Internet) as shown in FIG. And a traffic information center 40 communicably connected to the center 30. The traffic information center 40 is installed in each region (for example, the Kanto region, the Chubu region, and the like), and transmits traffic congestion information on major roads (for example, toll roads and national roads) in each region via the communication line NW. To the center 30. Although various methods have been implemented as a method by which the traffic information center 40 acquires the traffic jam information, the description is omitted because it is not directly related to the present invention.
[0090]
As described above, in order to acquire traffic jam information from the traffic information center 40 via the communication line NW, the center 30 is provided with an external communication interface 34 (hereinafter, referred to as an external communication I / F 34) as shown in FIG. ) Is provided. The external communication I / F 34 is communicably connected to the control device 31. The external communication I / F 34 is connected to the communication line NW to transmit request information indicating a request for providing congestion information to the traffic information center 40, and The traffic information provided from the center 40 is supplied to the control device 31.
[0091]
Further, in the third embodiment, instead of the pass candidate point search routine of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5 or the pass candidate point search routine of the second embodiment shown in FIG. A passing candidate point search processing routine shown is executed. The passage candidate point search processing routine according to the third embodiment is started in step C200, and the control device 31 acquires congestion information between the current position and the destination of the vehicle from the traffic information center 40 in step C201.
[0092]
More specifically, the control device 31 specifies an area between the current location and the destination of the vehicle based on the current location information and the destination information received in step C10 of the main program. Then, the control device 31 acquires the traffic jam information from the traffic information center 40 in the specified area. That is, the control device 31 supplies the external communication I / F 34 with request information for requesting provision of traffic jam information, and instructs the external communication I / F 34 to transmit the request information to the traffic information center 40. The external communication I / F 34 acquires the request information and transmits the request information to the traffic information center 40 according to the instruction. The traffic information center 40 receives the request information transmitted from the center 30 and transmits traffic congestion information to the center 30. In the center 30, the control device 31 acquires the traffic jam information via the external communication I / F 34 and stores the information in a predetermined storage location of the storage device 32.
[0093]
After the process in step C201, in step C202, the control device 31 determines whether there is a toll road within a predetermined linear distance L5 (for example, 100 km) from the current position of the vehicle and there is a section where this toll road can be used. Is determined. This is to reduce the route cost of the guide route by using a toll road. Here, the predetermined linear distance L5 is a distance determined based on a search range in which the communication time between the route guidance device 20 and the center 30 can be relatively shortened. More specifically, based on FIG. 14, the control device 31 sets a search area whose center is the current position of the vehicle and whose radius is a predetermined linear distance L5. Then, the control device 31 uses the map data of the map database 32a of the storage device 32 to check whether or not a toll road exists within the set search area.
[0094]
As a result of this confirmation processing, if a toll road exists in the set search area, the control device 31 determines “Yes” and proceeds to step C203. In step S203, the ride I.D. of the toll road existing in the set search area is determined. C. Entrance and descent I. C. The exit is determined as a candidate passage point, and the process proceeds to step C205. If no toll road exists in the set search area, the control device 31 determines “No” and proceeds to step C204.
[0095]
In step C204, the control device 31 searches for a candidate passage point in the search area where the set radius distance is the predetermined linear distance L5 without using the traffic jam information acquired from the traffic information center 40 in step C201. . That is, the control device 31 uses the map database 32a of the storage device 32 to search for a candidate passage point in the search area. After the search process, the process proceeds to step C205, where the control device 31 determines whether there is a congested section in the search area. This will be described with reference to FIG.
[0096]
Now, the passing candidate point in the search area is searched by the passing candidate point search processing of the step C204. In this state, the control device 31 searches the traffic jam information stored in the predetermined storage position of the storage device 32 for traffic jam information related to the search area. By comparing the traffic congestion information acquired by this search with the candidate passage points in the search area, the control device 31 can confirm one congestion section in the search area. As described above, when the congestion section is confirmed in the search area, the control device 31 determines “Yes” and proceeds to step C206.
[0097]
In step C206, the control device 31 determines a passing candidate point at which the route cost is reduced, including a passing candidate point for bypassing the congested section, as a determined passing candidate point. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, the control device 31 excludes candidate passage points in a congested section. Then, a candidate passage point used for bypassing the congested section is selected, and a candidate passage point including the selected candidate passage point and reducing the route cost is determined as the determined candidate passage point. move on.
[0098]
If no congestion section is found in the search area, control device 31 determines “No” in step C206 and proceeds to step C207. In step C207, the control device 31 determines a passing candidate point having a lower route cost as a determined passing candidate point by using the passing candidate point in the search area, and proceeds to step C208.
[0099]
In step C208, the search pass candidate point information stored in the predetermined storage position of the storage device 32, the determined pass candidate point information indicating the determined pass candidate point determined in step C203, C206 or C207, and these searched pass candidate point information. Center pass candidate point information composed of link data between nodes or between determined pass candidate points is created. Then, after the center pass candidate point information is created in step C209, the process proceeds to step C210, and the execution of the pass candidate point search processing routine ends.
[0100]
In the third embodiment, the center 30 acquires traffic jam information and searches for a candidate passage point based on the traffic jam information. However, when the destination input by the occupant or the driver exists within a predetermined linear distance, the route guidance device 20 acquires the traffic jam information via the center 30 and determines the route from the current location of the vehicle to the destination. It goes without saying that it is searchable. That is, the route guidance device 20 requests the center 30 to provide traffic jam information from the current location of the vehicle to the destination. The center 30 acquires traffic congestion information of the corresponding area from the traffic information center 40 and transmits the acquired traffic congestion information to the route guidance device 20.
[0101]
The route guidance device 20 acquires the traffic congestion information transmitted from the center 30 via the communication device 27 and stores the information at a predetermined storage position in the external memory 22. Accordingly, the microcomputer 21 of the route guidance device 20 determines the guidance route from the current location of the vehicle to the destination based on the traffic congestion information when the destination input by the occupant or the driver is within a predetermined straight distance. Since the search can be performed, the route to the destination can be suitably guided.
[0102]
As can be understood from the above description, according to the third embodiment, similarly to the first and second embodiments, the search time for the route search can be reduced, and the occupant can be reduced. Alternatively, the waiting time of the driver can be reduced. Further, in the third embodiment, since the candidate passage point can be searched based on the latest traffic information (traffic congestion information), the latest traffic information is reflected in the searched guide route. . As a result, it is possible to provide a passenger or a driver with a suitable and optimal guide route to the destination.
[0103]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the objects of the present invention. For example, in each of the above embodiments, the route guidance device 20 and the center 30 mounted on the vehicle communicate with each other, but instead of the route guidance device 20, a personal computer capable of communicating with the center 30 may be used. A portable information terminal device such as a PDA or a mobile phone can be implemented as the route guidance device. With this, the same effects as those of the above embodiments can be obtained, and the portable information terminal device can be easily moved, so that the convenience can be secured.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an entire route guidance system according to first and second embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an outline of the route guidance device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing an outline of a center of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a main program according to the first embodiment executed by the route guidance device and the center in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a pass candidate point search processing routine according to the first embodiment, which is executed at the center of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a search for a candidate passage point according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a route guidance program according to the first embodiment, which is executed by the route guidance device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a main program according to a second embodiment executed by the route guidance device and the center of FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a pass candidate point search processing routine according to a second embodiment, which is executed at the center of FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a route guidance program according to a second embodiment, which is executed by the route guidance device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an entire route guidance system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an outline of a center in FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a pass candidate point search processing routine executed at the center of FIG. 11;
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a search for a candidate passage point according to the third embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Position detector, 20 ... Route guidance device, 21 ... Microcomputer, 22 ... External memory, 27 ... Communication device, 30 ... Center, 31 ... Control device, 32 ... Storage device, 33 ... Communication device, 40 ... Traffic information Center

Claims (20)

A route guidance device that is mounted on a vehicle and searches for and guides a route from the current location of the vehicle to a set destination,
Distance determining means for determining whether the distance from the current position of the vehicle to the set destination is greater than a predetermined distance,
When the distance determination unit determines that the distance from the current position of the vehicle to the destination is greater than a predetermined distance, at least current position information indicating the current position of the vehicle and destination information indicating the destination are externally transmitted. Transmitting means for transmitting;
The vehicle includes at least pass candidate point information representing a preset pass candidate point on a road through which the vehicle can pass, which is present between the current position and the destination of the vehicle, and connection information regarding a connection between the pass candidate points. Receiving means for receiving the searched route information from the outside,
From the passing candidate points represented by the passing candidate point information included in the search route information received by the receiving unit, a passing candidate point closest to the current location of the vehicle is selected, and the vehicle is selected from the current location of the vehicle. First route search means for searching for a first search route from the current location of the vehicle to the nearest candidate passage point;
During the route guidance of the first search route searched by the first search means, among the pass candidate points represented by the pass candidate point information included in the search route information, from the end point of the first search route to the target A second route searching means for determining a passing point constituting a route by using a passing candidate point existing to the ground, and searching for a second searched route from the end point to the destination;
A route guidance device comprising: a search route connecting unit that connects the first search route and the second search route at an end point of the first search route. The first search route searched by the first route search means and the second search route searched by the second route search means are searched based on search route information reflecting the latest traffic information. The route guidance device according to 1. At least the first route searching means of the first route searching means or the second route searching means,
If the passing candidate point represented by the passing candidate point information included in the search route information received by the receiving means includes an interchange of a toll road existing between the current location of the vehicle and the predetermined distance, The route guidance device according to claim 1, wherein an interchange of the toll road is determined preferentially as a passing point. A route guidance device that is mounted on a vehicle and searches for and guides a route from the current location of the vehicle to a set destination,
Distance determining means for determining whether or not the distance from the current position of the vehicle to the set destination is greater than a predetermined first distance;
When the distance determination unit determines that the distance from the current position of the vehicle to the destination is greater than a predetermined distance, at least current position information indicating the current position of the vehicle and destination information indicating the destination are externally transmitted. Transmitting means for transmitting;
A predetermined candidate passage point on a road through which the vehicle can pass between the current position of the vehicle and the destination, and which is within a range represented by a predetermined second distance from the current position of the vehicle; Receiving means for sequentially receiving, from the outside, divided search path information configured to include at least divided pass candidate point information representing pass candidate points to be connected and connection information regarding connections between the pass candidate points,
Combining the passing candidate points represented by the divided passing candidate point information included in the one divided search route information received by the receiving means, and combining the current location of the vehicle with the current location of the vehicle among the one divided searching route information First route searching means for searching for a first guide route by connecting between the candidate passage points closest to
During the route guidance of the first guide route searched by the first route search means, the passing candidate point represented by the split passing candidate point information included in other split search route information from the end point of the first guide route is determined. A route guidance device comprising: a second route search unit that searches for a second guidance route by combining the two routes. The first guide route searched by the first route search means and the second guide route searched by the second route search means are searched based on divided search route information reflecting the latest traffic information. Item 3. The route guidance device according to item 3. At least the first route searching means of the first route searching means or the second route searching means,
The passing candidate point represented by the divided passing candidate point information included in the divided search route information received by the receiving means includes an interchange of a toll road existing from the current location of the vehicle to the predetermined distance. The route guidance device according to claim 4, wherein the toll road interchange is preferentially combined if the toll roads are combined. Receiving means for receiving at least current location information and destination information from the vehicle;
Storage means for updating at a predetermined frequency and storing the latest map data;
The storage means stores the passing candidate points which are present between the current position and the destination of the vehicle respectively represented by the current position information and the destination information received by the receiving means and are set in advance on a road through which the vehicle can pass. Passing candidate point searching means for searching using;
A connection information search unit that searches for connection information relating to a connection between pass candidate points searched by the pass candidate point search unit using the storage unit;
Route search information creation that creates route search information including at least pass candidate point information indicating a pass candidate point searched by the pass candidate point search unit and connection information searched by the connection information search unit Means,
Transmitting means for transmitting the search route information created by the route search information creating means to the vehicle. The passing candidate point searching means,
8. The center according to claim 7, wherein when a distance from the current location to the destination is greater than a predetermined distance, a candidate pass point existing between the current location and the predetermined distance is searched. The passing candidate point searching means,
When the distance from the current location to the destination is greater than a predetermined distance, and a toll road interchange is included from the current location to the predetermined distance, a candidate point for passing through the toll road interchange 6. The center according to claim 5, wherein the search is performed with priority. In the center according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
Traffic information receiving means for receiving the latest traffic information from the outside,
A traffic information storage means for storing the latest traffic information received by the traffic information receiving means. In the center according to any one of claims 7 to 10,
A route search information dividing unit that divides the route search information created by the route search information creating unit for each predetermined division distance;
The center, wherein the transmitting means transmits the route search information divided by the passing candidate point dividing means. A route guidance method in which a route guidance device mounted on a vehicle and a center providing various information communicate with each other, and the route guidance device searches for a route from a current position of the vehicle to a destination and guides the searched route. At
The route guidance device is
Determine whether the distance from the current location of the vehicle to the set destination is greater than a predetermined distance,
When it is determined that the distance from the current position of the vehicle to the destination is greater than a predetermined distance, at least current position information indicating the current position of the vehicle and destination information indicating the destination are transmitted to the center,
The center is
At least current location information representing the current location of the vehicle and destination information representing the destination are received from the route guidance device,
Based on the latest map data updated at a predetermined frequency, preset on a road that exists between the current position and the destination of the vehicle represented by the current position information and the destination information and through which the vehicle can pass While searching for the passed candidate points, the search for connection information indicating the connection between the searched candidate points,
Create search route information including at least the candidate passing point information and the connection information representing the searched candidate passing point, transmit to the route guidance device,
The route guidance device,
Receiving the search route information transmitted from the center,
From the passing candidate points represented by the passing candidate point information included in the received search route information, a passing candidate point closest to the current position of the vehicle is selected, and a passing candidate point closest to the current position of the vehicle is selected. Search the first search route to,
During the route guidance of the first search route, of the pass candidate points represented by the pass candidate point information included in the search route information, a pass existing between the end point of the first search route and the destination. Using the candidate points to determine a passing point that forms a route, searching for a second search route from the end point to the destination,
A route guidance method comprising: connecting the first search route and the second search route to guide the search route to the destination. A route guidance method in which a route guidance device mounted on a vehicle and a center providing various information communicate with each other, and the route guidance device searches for a route from a current position of the vehicle to a destination and guides the searched route. At
The route guidance device is
Determine whether the distance from the current location of the vehicle to the set destination is greater than a predetermined distance,
When it is determined that the distance from the current position of the vehicle to the destination is greater than a predetermined distance, at least current position information indicating the current position of the vehicle and destination information indicating the destination are transmitted to the center,
The center is
At least current location information representing the current location of the vehicle and destination information representing the destination are received from the route guidance device,
Based on the latest map data updated at a predetermined frequency, preset on a road that exists between the current position and the destination of the vehicle represented by the current position information and the destination information and through which the vehicle can pass While searching for the passed candidate points, the search for connection information indicating the connection between the searched candidate points,
While creating search route information including at least the passing candidate point information and the connection information representing the searched passing candidate points, the search route information is divided for each predetermined division distance and transmitted to the route guidance device,
The route guidance device sequentially receives the divided search route information, and combines the pass candidate points represented by the pass candidate point information included in the one divided search route information received by the receiving unit, Searching for a first guidance route by connecting between the current location of the vehicle and a candidate passage point closest to the current location of the vehicle in the one divided search route information;
During the route guidance of the first guidance route searched by the first route searching means, the candidate passage points indicated by the candidate passage point information included in the other divided search route information from the end point of the first guidance route And searching for a second guidance route by combining the two. 14. The route guidance method according to claim 12, wherein the search route information transmitted by the center is created based on the latest traffic information. The route guidance device,
Of the pass candidate points represented by the pass candidate point information included in the search route information received from the center, a toll road interchange is provided at a pass candidate point existing between the current location of the vehicle and the predetermined distance. 13. The route guidance method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein, if included, the interchange of the toll road is determined preferentially as a passing point. A route guidance system mounted on a vehicle and a center providing various information communicate with each other, and the route guidance device searches for a route from the current position of the vehicle to a destination, and guides the searched route. At
The route guidance device is
Distance determining means for determining whether the distance from the current position of the vehicle to the set destination is greater than a predetermined distance,
When the distance determination means determines that the distance from the current position of the vehicle to the destination is greater than a predetermined distance, at least current position information indicating the current position of the vehicle and destination information indicating the destination are transmitted to the center. Transmitting means for transmitting;
The vehicle includes at least pass candidate point information representing a preset pass candidate point on a road through which the vehicle can pass, which is present between the current position and the destination of the vehicle, and connection information regarding a connection between the pass candidate points. Receiving means for receiving search route information necessary for searching for a route to be performed from the center,
From the passing candidate points represented by the passing candidate point information included in the search route information received by the receiving unit, a passing candidate point closest to the current location of the vehicle is selected, and the vehicle is selected from the current location of the vehicle. First route search means for searching for a first search route from the current location of the vehicle to the nearest candidate passage point;
During the route guidance of the first search route searched by the first search means, among the pass candidate points represented by the pass candidate point information included in the search route information, from the end point of the first search route to the target A second route searching means for determining a passing point constituting a route by using a passing candidate point existing to the ground, and searching for a second searched route from the end point to the destination;
A search path connecting means for connecting the first search path and the second search path at an end point of the first search path;
The center is
Receiving means for receiving at least current location information and destination information from the route guidance device,
Storage means for updating at a predetermined frequency and storing the latest map data;
The storage means stores the passing candidate points which are present between the current position and the destination of the vehicle respectively represented by the current position information and the destination information received by the receiving means and are set in advance on a road through which the vehicle can pass. Passing candidate point searching means for searching using;
A connection information search unit that searches for connection information relating to a connection between pass candidate points searched by the pass candidate point search unit using the storage unit;
Route search information creation that creates route search information including at least pass candidate point information indicating a pass candidate point searched by the pass candidate point search unit and connection information searched by the connection information search unit Means,
A transmission unit for transmitting the search route information created by the route search information creation unit to the route guidance device. 17. The route guidance system according to claim 16, wherein the center includes a route search information dividing unit that divides the route search information created by the route search information creating unit for each predetermined division distance. 18. The route guidance system according to claim 17, wherein the receiving means of the route guidance device sequentially receives search route information divided for each predetermined division distance from the outside. The route guidance system according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein
The center is
Traffic information receiving means for receiving the latest traffic information from the outside,
A route information storage unit for storing the latest traffic information received by the traffic information receiving unit. At least the first route search unit of the first route search unit or the second route search unit of the route guidance device,
If the passing candidate point represented by the passing candidate point information included in the search route information received by the receiving means includes an interchange of a toll road existing from the current location of the vehicle to the predetermined distance, 20. The route guidance system according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein an interchange of the toll road is determined preferentially as a passing point.

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