JP2005091249A - Navigation system and alternative route generation notification method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation system and an alternative route generation notification method for notifying an alternative route in a form capable of intuitively grasping information on the alternative route. <P>SOLUTION: Symbol figures are each previously defined for combinations of the difference between distances to be traveled in a guidance route and the alternative route and a left turn, a right turn, and straight advancement at a branching point to the guidance route in the case of advancing to the alternative route. In the case that an alternative route suitable as an alternative to the guidance route is retrieved, an alternative route selection window 420 is set, and a symbol figure 421 is selected and displayed according to the relation between the retrieved alternative route and the guidance route. Images of the differences 422 between drive times and distances to be traveled in the guidance route and the alterative route; the names 423 of the branching point and a joining point; the distance 424 to the branching point; and a traffic event mark 425 indicating a traffic event such as traffic congestion which has occurred in the guidance route are drawn at locations in the alternative route selection window 420 (c) according to the selected symbol figure 421. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device that performs route guidance for a user.

  In a navigation device mounted on an automobile, as a technique for performing route guidance for a user, a guidance route is conventionally set between a destination received from a user and set as a current position on a map. A technique for guiding traveling to a destination along a guidance route by displaying an image representing the is widely used.

  In addition, as a technology related to the navigation device that performs such route guidance, during route guidance according to the guidance route, it is searched whether there is an alternative route to a destination more suitable than the current guidance route. If there is an alternative route that is more suitable than the guide route, the alternative route is presented to the user, the selection of whether to set the alternative route as a new guide route is accepted, and the selection to set is accepted. In such a case, a technique is known in which an alternative route is set as a new guidance route and travel guidance is performed according to the subsequent guidance route (for example, Patent Document 1).

Further, as a technique for presenting such a guide route and an alternative route that is an alternative to the guide route, a technology for displaying an image that represents both the guide route and the alternative route on a map is known. (For example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2003-90732 A JP 2001-304890 A

  Now, especially when the user is traveling, the notification of the occurrence of the alternative route as described above to the user is necessary to know whether or not to adopt the alternative route as the guide route. It is preferable to perform the information about so that the user can intuitively grasp the information.

  However, according to the technology that presents the alternative route by displaying an image showing both the guide route and the alternative route on the map, the roads that form each route on the map can be confirmed in detail, The display is likely to be complicated, and it may be difficult for the user to intuitively grasp information for evaluating an alternative route.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide notification of an alternative route that is an alternative to a guide route so that the user can intuitively grasp information necessary for evaluating the alternative route.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a navigation device that guides traveling along a guidance route set between a destination and a route estimated to be preferable to the guidance route from the current position to the destination. Alternative route search means for searching for an alternative route, and when the alternative route is searched, the alternative route search means for proceeding to the alternative route in any of a plurality of divisions of a plurality of traveling directions including at least a predetermined right turn and left turn A traveling direction classifying unit that classifies a traveling direction of a vehicle at a branch point between the guidance route and the searched route, and when the alternative route is searched, is defined in advance for the classification classified by the traveling direction classifying unit. And an alternative route notification means for displaying the placed figure.

  According to such a navigation device, when an alternative route is searched, the user is notified of the occurrence of the alternative route by displaying a graphic. At this time, the guidance route and the searched route when traveling to the alternative route, The figure to be displayed can be switched according to the classification of the traveling direction of the vehicle at the branch point. Therefore, for example, by representing at least a branch of a route in one traveling direction that is classified into the section in which the graphic is defined, the graphic is notified of the occurrence of the alternative route, and the alternative route It is possible to express the direction of travel at the branch point when proceeding to. In this way, the user can intuitively understand the generation of alternative routes, the relationship between the alternative route and the guidance route, and the direction of travel when proceeding to the alternative route from the displayed graphic. Will be able to.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is presumed that a navigation device that guides the traveling along the guidance route set up to the destination is more suitable than the guidance route from the current position to the destination. The alternative route search means for searching for the alternative route as an alternative route, and when the alternative route is searched, the alternative route is traveled in any of a plurality of magnitude relation categories including at least predetermined large and small A travel distance relationship classifying means for classifying the magnitude relationship between the travel distance in the case and the travel distance when traveling on the guidance route, and the classification classified by the travel distance relationship classification means when the alternative route is searched Alternative route notification means for displaying a graphic defined in advance.

  According to such a navigation device, when an alternative route is searched, the user is notified of the occurrence of the alternative route by displaying a graphic. At this time, the travel distance and the guidance route when the alternative route is traveled are notified. The figure to be displayed can be switched according to the magnitude relation of the travel distance when traveling. Thus, for example, the figure is a figure that announces the occurrence of an alternative route by expressing at least two routes having the same magnitude relationship as one magnitude relationship classified into the category in which the figure is defined. Thus, it is possible to express the magnitude relationship between the travel distance when traveling on the alternative route and the travel distance when traveling on the guidance route. By doing so, the user can intuitively grasp the magnitude relationship between the travel distance when traveling on the alternative route and the travel distance when traveling on the guidance route from the displayed figure. become able to.

  Here, the structure of the above navigation apparatus can also be applied in combination. That is, in this case, when the navigation device searches for an alternative route search unit that searches for an alternative route that is estimated to be preferable to the guidance route from the current position to the destination, and the alternative route is searched. A traveling direction classification for classifying a traveling direction of a vehicle at a branch point between the guidance route and the searched route when traveling to the alternative route into any of a plurality of divisions of a traveling direction including at least a predetermined right turn and left turn When the alternative route is searched for, the vehicle travels along the driving distance and the guidance route when the alternative route is traveled to any of a plurality of magnitude relations including at least predetermined large and small. A travel distance relation classifying means for classifying the magnitude relationship with the travel distance in the case, and the classification and travel by the travel direction classification means when the alternative route is searched. Distance relationship classifying means may be provided an alternative route notification means for displaying a graphic which has been defined in advance for the combination of the segments are classified.

  Further, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention is presumed that the navigation device that guides the traveling along the guide route set up to the destination is more suitable than the guide route from the current position to the destination. An alternative route search means for searching for an alternative route, an alternative route notification means for displaying a graphic representing the branching and merging of two routes when the alternative route is searched, and for each route of the graphic Display of the name of the branch point between the guidance route and the alternative route, which is associated with the expression part of the branch, or comparison information between the guidance route and the alternative route, which is associated with the expression part of one route of the figure Alternative route information display means for displaying the above.

  According to such a navigation device, the user can intuitively recognize the occurrence of the alternative route by the graphic displayed at the time of the alternative route search, and from the display of information associated with the graphic performed by the alternative route information display means, It becomes possible to immediately grasp the branching point between the guidance route and the alternative route, the contents of the difference between the guidance route and the alternative route, and the like.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an alternative route that is an alternative to a guide route can be notified so that the user can intuitively grasp information necessary for evaluating the alternative route.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a navigation device according to the present embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the navigation device includes a control device 1, a recording medium drive 2 for accessing a recording medium 21 such as a DVD-ROM or hard disk storing map data, a GPS receiver 3, an angular acceleration sensor, or a vehicle speed sensor. A running state sensor 4 for detecting the running state of the vehicle, a VICS receiving device 5 for receiving traffic information by a vehicle information and communication system (VICS), a remote control 6 (remote controller) for receiving input from the user, and a display device 7 I have. Here, VICS is a system that transmits and receives real-time road traffic information about every 5 minutes through radio wave beacons, optical beacons, FM multiplex broadcasting, and the like. The VICS receiver 5 is a device that receives the traffic information transmitted as described above, and includes a radio beacon receiver, an optical beacon receiver, an FM multiplex broadcast receiver, and the like.

  The control device 1 includes a map data buffer 101, a map data read processing unit 102, a current state calculation unit 103, a route search unit 104, a navigation image generation unit 105, a traffic information acquisition unit 106, a memory 107, a main control unit 108, A GUI control unit 109 is provided. Here, a dotted line 121 inside the control device 1 in FIG. 1 indicates an access path of each part to map data stored in the map data buffer 101, and a thick line 122 indicates a path of control information between each part and each part of various data. The thin line connected to the GUI control unit 109 indicates the route of operation information and image information input / output with the user using the remote controller 6 or the display device 7.

  However, the control device 1 described above may be a CPU circuit having a general configuration including peripheral devices such as a microprocessor, a memory, and other graphic processors and geometric processors in terms of hardware. In this case, each unit of the control device 1 described above may be realized as a process embodied by a microprocessor executing a program prepared in advance. In this case, such a program may be provided to the control device 1 via the recording medium 21 or an appropriate communication path.

Next, the structure of the map data stored in the recording medium 21 is shown.
Here, the map data is managed in units called leaflets for each predetermined geographical area, and each leaf is composed of a plurality of levels according to the degree of detail of the map. Each level map of each leaf consists of one or more units, and each unit corresponds to the geographical area of the leaf to which it belongs or a divided area, and maps the corresponding area. , Expressed at the level to which it belongs.

As shown in FIG. 2, the map data includes management data describing the relationship between each unit and the leaf, corresponding area, and level, basic map data representing the map, route data, and a VICS conversion table. Composed.
Here, the basic map data includes the unit data for each unit described above, and unit management data describing the relationship between each unit data and the leaf, corresponding area, and level. Each unit data includes a road unit representing a road network in the unit and a drawing unit for defining a display map in the unit.

The road unit has a node list, a link table, and connection data describing connection and correspondence of nodes and links with other units.
Here, in the road unit, the road is expressed as a set of links that are straight lines, and the end point of each link is a node. Such a node is always provided at a connection point of a road such as an intersection, and is always provided at a boundary between adjacent units. In addition, each link has a direction, and if the road is one-way between two adjacent nodes via the link, only one link in the direction of traffic is provided. In principle, two links in opposite directions are provided.

  The node list includes a node record for each node. Each node record includes a node number, a node coordinate, a node attribute indicating whether the node is a node corresponding to an intersection or an expressway entrance, and the like. A connection link number list, which is a list of link numbers of links connected to the node, and an adjacent node number list, which is a list of node numbers of nodes adjacent to the node via the link, are described.

  Next, the link table includes a link record for each link, and each link record includes a link number, a starting node number indicating the node number of the node that is the starting point of the link, and a node number of the node that is the ending point of the link. End node number to be shown, road attributes representing various information about the section of the road corresponding to the link, link distance, link direction, link cost that is the cost for route search given to the link, route number of the route to which the link belongs Etc. are described. Here, as the road attribute, a road type indicating a type such as a toll road of a road to which the link belongs, a national road, a prefectural road, a road width of the road section corresponding to the link, the number of lanes, and the like are described.

Next, the drawing unit is used to display geographical information such as geographical features, road shapes, and facility shapes, text information displayed on the map such as area names and facility names, and facilities such as gas stations on the map. The facility mark to be displayed to indicate the existence of the facility is specified.
The route data included in the map data has route records provided for each road, and each route record includes a route number that is an identifier of a road, an expressway of each road, a national road, a prefectural road, etc. The route type and the route name of each road are described.
The VICS conversion table is a table for coordinate conversion that describes the correspondence between the coordinate system used in VICS and the coordinate system used in basic map data.
Next, data stored in the memory 107 of the control device 1 in FIG. 1 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the memory 107 stores current state information 301, destination data 302, guidance route data 303, alternative route data 304, and traffic information records 305.
The current state information 301 includes current position data 3011, current traveling direction data 3012, and traveling link data 3013. The current position data 3011 is data representing the current position coordinates of the vehicle. The traveling link data 3013 is data indicating the link number of the currently traveling link. The destination data 302 represents the coordinates of the destination on the link.

  The guide route data 303 is data representing the guide route, and includes a route link list 3031 describing the link number of the link through which the guide route passes and the cost of the link in order of passing, and the node number of the node through which the guide route passes. A route node list 3032 described in the order of passage.

  Further, the alternative route data 304 is data representing an alternative route that is a candidate route for the guide route, and, like the guide route data 303, the link number of the link through which the alternative route passes and the cost of the link in order of the route. The described alternative route link list 3041 and the alternative route node list 3042 in which the node numbers of the nodes through which the alternative route passes are described in the order of passage.

  The traffic information record 305 is provided corresponding to the traffic information received by the VICS receiver 5, and each traffic information record 305 shows the reception time when the traffic information is received and the traffic information. Location information that represents points and road sections, event types that describe the types of events such as traffic restrictions, traffic jams, and travel times required by traffic information, and detailed information that describes the details of events such as the degree of traffic jams and travel times Stored.

Now, referring back to FIG. 1, in such a configuration, the map data read processing unit 102 reads the required range of map data from the recording medium 21 via the recording medium drive 2 under the control of the main control unit 108, and the map data Store in the buffer 101.
Further, the current state calculation unit 103 repeatedly performs the following processing.
That is, the current state calculation unit 103 matches the current position estimated from the output of the traveling state sensor 4 or the GPS receiver 3 with the map around the current position previously determined read from the map data buffer 101. Processing, etc., the most probable link coordinates as the current position, the most probable link direction as the current travel direction, and the most probable link as the current travel link, the current position coordinates and the current travel direction, respectively. The link is determined as the running link, and is set in the current position data 3011, the current running direction data 3012, and the running link data 3013 in the memory 107.

  In addition, the traffic information acquisition unit 106 decodes the traffic information received by the VICS receiver 5 with reference to the VICS conversion table of the map data, and stores it in the memory 107 as a traffic information record 305. In addition, the traffic information acquisition unit 106 deletes the traffic information record 305 having the same type and the same position information as the traffic information received by the VICS receiving device 5, or the reception time is the road as viewed from the current time and the current position. A process of deleting the traffic information record 305 indicating that the traffic information is no longer valid is also performed.

Further, the main control unit 108 receives a destination setting from the user via the remote controller 6 and the GUI control unit 109 in response to a user destination setting request, and sets this in the destination data 302.
Then, the route search unit 104 is searched for a guidance route to the destination indicated by the destination data 302. The route search unit 104 reads road data of road units in the necessary geographical area from the map data buffer 101, and travels from the current position coordinates indicated by the current position data 3011 of the memory 107 to the destination coordinates indicated by the destination data 302. The minimum cost route that first follows the link indicated by the medium link data 3013 is calculated as a guide route based on a predetermined cost model using the link cost of the link record and the traffic information indicated by the traffic information record 305, and is calculated The route data of the guide route is stored in the route link list 3031 and the route node list 3032 of the guide route data 303, respectively. That is, for example, when a cost model with travel time as one of the costs is used as the cost model, the travel time required for the link is included in the link cost of the link record. Then, the travel time required for each link is corrected according to the traffic information in the traffic information record 305, and the cost related to the travel time of the route is obtained. Here, for the correction of the required travel time of the link according to the traffic information, for example, for the link where the traffic congestion has occurred, the link time is required for the travel time according to the degree of the traffic congestion indicated by the traffic information and the link length. This is done by correcting the travel time.

Further, the main control unit 108 sets the navigation image window 410 shown in FIG. 4A on the entire display screen of the display device 7, and then repeats the following navigation image generation processing.
That is, the main control unit 108 determines the direction corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the current traveling direction data 3012 as the display direction, determines the scale according to the user setting or initial setting made in advance, and determines from the current position data 3011 A predetermined range determined in accordance with the determined display orientation and the determined scale around the read current position is determined as the display range. Here, the display direction is calculated so that the current traveling direction is always on.

  Then, the navigation image generation unit 105 draws the map display element, the character string, and the facility mark represented by the drawing unit based on the drawing unit in the determined display range, and the direction corresponding to the direction indicated by the current traveling direction data 3012. The drawing of the current position mark facing to the position corresponding to the current position indicated by the current position data 3011 is performed with the azimuth indicated by the determined display azimuth as the top. When the guide route data 303 is set, the main control unit 108 instructs the navigation image generation unit 105 to guide the route closer to the destination side from the current position indicated by the guide route data 303 in the determined display range. Is drawn with the azimuth indicated by the determined display azimuth as the top. Further, when the route is being guided and the destination is included in the display range, the main control unit 108 causes the navigation image generation unit 105 to draw a destination mark indicating the position of the destination.

The navigation image generation unit 105 generates the navigation image by performing the above-described drawing under the control of the main control unit 108, and the navigation image window 410 set on the display screen of the display device 7 via the GUI control unit 109. To display.
FIG. 4a shows an example of the navigation image displayed in this manner. As shown in the figure, the navigation image is displayed on the map image 401 on which map display elements, various character strings, and facility marks are represented. A position mark 402 and a guide route graphic 403 are represented. However, when the guide route data 303 is not set and the route is not being guided, the guide route graphic 403 is not drawn as described above. In addition, when the destination is included in the display range, the destination mark 404 is also displayed.

  During the route guidance as described above, the main control unit 108 determines that the distance between the current position coordinates indicated by the current position data 3011 and the destination coordinates indicated by the destination data 302 is a predetermined distance (for example, several tens of meters) or less. If the distance is less than the predetermined distance, it is assumed that the vehicle has arrived at the destination, the guidance route data 303 and the destination data 302 are cleared, and the route guidance is terminated.

Then, the main control unit 108 performs the following alternative route search process during route guidance according to the above guidance route.
FIG. 5 shows the procedure of the alternative route search process.
However, in the following description, the application to the case where only the travel time is used as the cost will be described as an example of the cost model for the route search.
As shown in the figure, in this process, first, the guide route data 303 and the current information information 301 are referred to, and the cost of the guide route from the current position to the destination is calculated as the link cost of the route link list 3031 and the traffic information record. Based on 305, the current cost is calculated (step 502). Here, the current cost changes dynamically according to the traffic situation indicated by the traffic information received by the VICS receiver 5 in addition to the change with the movement of the current position.

  Next, when there is a traffic information record 305 that causes an increase in the cost of the guidance route from the current position to the destination, the main control unit 108 causes the contents of the traffic information record 305 to be bypassed. Information is extracted (step 504). In other words, for example, when a model with travel time as one of the costs is used as a cost model, there is a traffic jam at a point on the guidance route, and this traffic jam does not cause a current traffic cost If the number is increased, the content of the traffic information record 305 representing the occurrence of the traffic jam is extracted as detour cause information.

  Next, the route search unit 104 is made to search the route with the current minimum cost from the current position to the destination as an alternative route based on the map data and the traffic information record (step 506), and stored in the alternative route data 304. Then, the cost of the alternative route is obtained as an alternative cost with reference to the alternative route data 304 and the traffic information record 305 (step 508).

  Then, the alternative cost and the current cost are compared (step 510), and if the current cost is equal to or lower than the alternative cost, the process directly returns to step 502. On the other hand, if the alternative cost is smaller than the current cost, the difference between the travel distance from the current position to the destination and the difference in travel time between the alternative route and the guidance route are obtained as comparison information (step 512).

  Then, referring to the guide route data 303 and the alternative route data 304, a branch point and a junction point of the guide route and the alternative route are obtained (step 514), and a branch pattern of the guide route and the alternative route is calculated (step 516). . Here, as the branching pattern, the right or left turn of the branching point when proceeding to the alternative route, and straight ahead are calculated.

Then, an alternative route selection process is executed (step 518). When the alternative route selection process is completed, the process returns to step 502.
Here, the procedure of the alternative route selection process in step 518 is shown in FIG.
As shown in the drawing, in the alternative route selection process, first, as shown in FIG. 4B, the window size of the navigation image window 410 is reduced to a size that fits in the left half of the display screen of the display device 7, and the display screen of the display device 7 is displayed. The alternative route selection window 420 is set in the right half of the window (step 602).

Then, the navigation image generation unit 105 is caused to draw a branch point mark representing a branch point and a merge point mark representing a merge point on the navigation image (step 604).
As a result, in the alternative route search process, when the alternative route 432 is set because the construction is being performed at the point 431 on the guide route with respect to the guide route indicated by the broken line 430 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4b, the branch point mark 405 and the merge point mark 406 are displayed at positions corresponding to the branch point and merge point on the map of the navigation image.

Returning to FIG. 6, the main control unit 108 substitutes the symbol figure 421 previously determined for the combination of the comparison information obtained by the alternative route search processing and the branch pattern as shown in FIG. 4B. The information is displayed on the route selection window 420 (step 606).
Here, for the combination of the comparison information and the branch pattern, the symbol graphic 421 is predetermined as shown in FIG.
In FIG. 7, a1 indicates that the comparison information indicates that the travel distance between the guide route and the alternative route is approximate, the travel time of the alternative route is shorter than the travel time of the guide route, and the branch pattern advances to the alternative route. In this case, the symbol figure 421 is displayed on the alternative route selection window 420 when the left turn is indicated at the branch point. Further, a2 indicates that the comparison information indicates that the travel distance between the guide route and the alternative route is approximate, the travel time of the alternative route is shorter than the travel time of the guide route, and the branch is made when the branch pattern advances to the alternative route. The symbol figure 421 is displayed on the alternative route selection window 420 when it represents that the vehicle turns right at the point.

  B1 indicates that the comparison information indicates that the travel distance of the alternative route is greater than that of the guidance route, and that the travel time of the alternative route is shorter than the travel time of the guidance route. This is a symbol graphic 421 that is displayed in the alternative route selection window 420 in the case of representing a left turn. B2 indicates that the comparison information indicates that the travel distance of the alternative route is greater than that of the guidance route, and that the travel time of the alternative route is shorter than the travel time of the guidance route. The symbol figure 421 is displayed in the alternative route selection window 420 when it indicates that the vehicle turns to the right.

  C1 indicates that the comparison information indicates that the travel distance of the alternative route is smaller than that of the guidance route, and that the travel time of the alternative route is shorter than the travel time of the guidance route. This is a symbol graphic 421 that is displayed in the alternative route selection window 420 in the case of representing a left turn. B2 indicates that the comparison information indicates that the travel distance of the alternative route is smaller than that of the guidance route, and that the travel time of the alternative route is shorter than the travel time of the guidance route. The symbol figure 421 is displayed in the alternative route selection window 420 when it indicates that the vehicle turns to the right.

  Also, d1 represents a symbol figure 421 to be displayed in the alternative route selection window 420 when the branch pattern indicates that the vehicle travels straight at the branch point when traveling on the alternative route and turns right at the branch point when proceeding on the guidance route. It is. Then, d2 represents a symbol figure 421 displayed on the alternative route selection window 420 when the branch pattern indicates that the vehicle travels straight at the branch point when traveling on the alternative route and turns left at the branch point when proceeding on the guidance route. It is.

As shown in the figure, each symbol figure 421 has a black line as a guidance route and a gray line as an alternative route. It is a pattern that allows you to grasp at a glance the magnitude of the distance traveled between and the guidance route.
By preparing the symbol figure 421 in advance in this way, the construction is being performed at the point 431 on the guide route with respect to the guide route indicated by the broken line 430 in FIG. If this is done, the mileage of the alternative route will increase with respect to the guidance route, and in order to proceed to the alternative route, it will turn right at the branch point with the guidance route, so as shown in FIG. In the window 420, the symbol graphic 421 of FIG. 7b2 is displayed. In addition, as described above, here, the case where a model with only travel time as a cost is set as the cost model for route search is described as an example, so the travel time of the alternative route is always shortened with respect to the guidance route. Will do.

  Returning to FIG. 6, if the symbol graphic 421 is displayed in the alternative route selection window 420, the difference in travel time and travel distance between the guide route and the alternative route indicated by the comparison information is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the drawing is performed in the alternative route selection window 420 (step 608). Further, the name of the branch point and the name of the junction point (for example, the name of the intersection) are drawn in the alternative route selection window 420 as shown at 423 in FIG. 4b (step 610). Further, the travel distance to the branch point is obtained, and the obtained distance is drawn in the alternative route selection window 420 as shown at 424 in FIG. 4b (step 612). Then, a traffic event mark indicating the type of traffic event indicated by the detour cause information is drawn in the alternative route selection window 420 as shown at 425 in FIG. 4b (step 614). Here, the difference in travel time and travel distance between the above guidance route and alternative route, the name of the branch point, the name of the junction, the distance to the branch point, and the traffic event mark are drawn symbol figures. Drawing is performed at a position determined in advance according to the type 421. That is, as shown in FIG. 4b, the difference in travel time and travel distance between the guidance route and the alternative route are arranged on the gray line representing the alternative route in the symbol figure, and the name of the branch point and the branch point The distance is placed below the connecting point below the black line representing the guide route and the gray line representing the alternative route in the symbol figure, and the name of the junction is the black line representing the guide route in the symbol figure Placed below the connection point above the gray line representing the alternative route, and the traffic event mark is placed between the two connection points with the alternative route on the black line representing the guide route in the symbol graphic The drawing position of each information is predetermined for each symbol figure.

  Returning to FIG. 6, if the main control unit 108 displays various information of the symbol graphic 421 in the alternative route selection window 420 as described above, it sets a timer having a predetermined timeout time (for example, 10 seconds). (Step 616), the operation of the cancel button 426 provided in the alternative route selection window 420 (step 618), the operation of the adoption button 427 provided in the alternative route selection window 420 (step 620), or a timer timeout (step 622). ).

If the cancel button 426 is operated, the alternative route selection window 420 is closed, and the navigation image window 410 is enlarged to the front of the display screen of the display device 7 as shown in FIG. 4a (step 626), and processing is performed. finish.
On the other hand, when a time-out or an operation of the adoption button occurs, the substitute route data 304 is replaced with the guide route data 303 (step 624), the substitute route selection window 420 is closed, and the navigation image window 410 is displayed as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the image is enlarged to the front of the display screen of the display device 7 (step 626), and the process is terminated.

As a result, the alternative route is set as a new guidance route, and thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4D, route guidance is performed using the navigation image of the new guidance route.
The embodiment of the present invention has been described above.
By the way, in the above embodiment, when the symbol figure 421 displayed on the alternative route selection window 420 proceeds to the alternative route indicated by the branch pattern and the magnitude relationship between the travel distance of the guide route and the alternative route indicated by the comparison information. The left / right turn / straight forward and the left / right turn when proceeding to the guide route are prepared in advance, but this symbol figure 421 shows the magnitude relationship between the travel distance of the guide route and the travel distance of the alternative route indicated by the comparison information The symbol graphic 421 may be selected and displayed in the alternative route selection window 420 according to the magnitude relationship between the travel distance of the guidance route and the alternative route indicated by the comparison information.

  FIG. 8a shows an example in which the symbol figure 421 is prepared only for the magnitude relationship between the travel distance of the guidance route and the travel distance of the alternative route, and a1 is the comparison information of the guidance route and the alternative route. The symbol figure 421 is displayed in the alternative route selection window 420 when the travel distance is approximate and the travel time of the alternative route is shorter than the travel time of the guidance route. Further, when the comparison information indicates that the travel distance of the alternative route is larger than that of the guidance route and the travel time of the alternative route is shorter than the travel time of the guidance route, the symbol displayed on the alternative route selection window 420 This is a graphic 421. Also. The symbol graphic 421 displayed in the alternative route selection window 420 when the comparison information indicates that the travel distance of the alternative route is smaller than that of the guide route and the travel time of the alternative route is shorter than the travel time of the guide route. It is.

As shown in the figure, these symbol figures 421 have a pattern in which the black line is regarded as a guidance route and the gray line is regarded as an alternative route, and the length of the travel distance between the alternative route and the guidance route can be grasped at a glance.
By using such a symbol graphic 421, when an alternative route 432 is set because construction is being performed at a point 431 on the guide route with respect to the guide route indicated by the broken line 430 in FIG. 4C. Since the travel distance of the alternative route has increased with respect to the guidance route, as shown in FIG. 9a, the symbol graphic 421 of FIG. 8a2 is displayed in the alternative route selection window 420.

  The symbol graphic 421 described above is prepared only for the left / right turn when traveling on the alternative route indicated by the branch pattern, and the symbol graphic 421 is selected according to the right / left turn when traveling on the alternative route indicated by the branch pattern. Alternatively, it may be displayed on the alternative route selection window 420.

  FIG. 8b shows an example in which the symbol graphic 421 is prepared only for the left / right turn when proceeding to the alternative route indicated by the branch pattern in this way, and when b1 is the branch point when the branch pattern advances to the alternative route. This is a symbol graphic 421 displayed in the alternative route selection window 420 in the case where a left turn is indicated. Further, b2 is a symbol graphic 421 that is displayed on the alternative route selection window 420 when the branch pattern indicates a right turn at the branch point when the branch pattern advances to the alternative route. As shown in the figure, these symbol figures 421 can be grasped at a glance by distinguishing right and left turn at the branch point with the guidance route when proceeding to the alternative route, assuming the black line as the guidance route and the gray line as the alternative route. It is a pattern that can be done.

  By using such a symbol graphic 421, when an alternative route 432 is set because construction is being performed at a point 431 on the guide route with respect to the guide route indicated by the broken line 430 in FIG. 4C. When making an alternative route, a right turn is made at the branch point. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9b, the alternative route selection window 420 displays the symbol graphic 421 of FIG. 8b2.

Further, as for the symbol figure 421 described above, only one type of symbol figure 421 may be prepared for branching and merging of the guidance route and the alternative route as shown in FIG. 8C.
In this case, since the construction is being performed at the point 431 on the guidance route with respect to the guidance route indicated by the broken line 430 in FIG. 4C, the alternative route selection window 420 includes the case where the alternative route 432 is set. As shown in FIG. 9c, the symbol graphic 421 of FIG. 8c is displayed.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the navigation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the map data with which the navigation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention is provided. It is a figure which shows the data which the navigation apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention stores in memory. It is a figure which shows the example of a display screen of the navigation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the alternative route search process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the alternative route selection process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the set of the symbol figure used for the notification of an alternative path | route in the navigation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of the symbol figure used for the notification of an alternative path | route in the navigation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of the display screen of the navigation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Control apparatus, 2 ... Recording medium drive, 3 ... GPS receiver, 4 ... Running condition sensor, 5 ... VICS receiver, 6 ... Remote control, 7 ... Display apparatus, 21 ... Recording medium, 101 ... Map data buffer, 102 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Map data read-out processing part, 103 ... Current state calculation part, 104 ... Route search part, 105 ... Navigation image generation part, 106 ... Traffic information acquisition part, 107 ... Memory, 108 ... Main control part, 109 ... GUI control part.

Claims (7)

A navigation device that guides driving along a guidance route set up to a destination,
An alternative route search means for searching for an alternative route that is estimated to be more preferable than the guidance route from the current position to the destination;
When the alternative route is searched, a vehicle at a branch point between the guidance route and the searched route when traveling to the alternative route in any of a plurality of sections of a plurality of traveling directions including at least a predetermined right turn and left turn A direction classification means for classifying the direction of travel,
A navigation device comprising: an alternative route notification means for displaying a graphic defined in advance for the classification classified by the traveling direction classification means when the alternative route is searched. A navigation device that guides driving along a guidance route set up to a destination,
An alternative route search means for searching for an alternative route that is estimated to be more preferable than the guidance route from the current position to the destination;
When the alternative route is searched, the travel distance when traveling on the alternative route and the travel when traveling on the guidance route in any of a plurality of magnitude relations including at least predetermined large and small Mileage relationship classification means for classifying the magnitude relationship with the distance;
A navigation device comprising: an alternative route notification means for displaying a graphic defined in advance for the classification classified by the travel distance relation classification means when the alternative route is searched. A navigation device that guides driving along a guidance route set up to a destination,
An alternative route search means for searching for an alternative route that is estimated to be more preferable than the guidance route from the current position to the destination;
When the alternative route is searched, a vehicle at a branch point between the guidance route and the searched route when traveling to the alternative route in any of a plurality of sections of a plurality of traveling directions including at least a predetermined right turn and left turn A direction classification means for classifying the direction of travel,
When the alternative route is searched, the travel distance when traveling on the alternative route and the travel when traveling on the guidance route in any of a plurality of magnitude relations including at least predetermined large and small Mileage relationship classification means for classifying the magnitude relationship with the distance;
An alternative route notification means for displaying a graphic defined in advance for a combination of the classification classified by the traveling direction classification means and the classification classified by the travel distance relation classification means when the alternative route is searched; A navigation device comprising: A navigation device that guides driving along a guidance route set up to a destination,
An alternative route search means for searching for an alternative route that is estimated to be more preferable than the guidance route from the current position to the destination;
When the alternative route is searched, an alternative route notification means for displaying a graphic representing branching and merging of two routes;
Display of the name of the branch point between the guidance route and the alternative route associated with the branch expression part of each route of the graphic, or the guide route associated with the expression part of one route of the graphic A navigation device comprising: alternative route information display means for displaying comparison information with an alternative route. In a navigation device that guides traveling along a guide route set up to a destination, an alternative route generation notification method for notifying generation of an alternative route that substitutes for the guide route,
Searching for an alternative route that is presumed to be better than the guidance route from the current position to the destination;
When the alternative route is searched, a vehicle at a branch point between the guidance route and the searched route when traveling to the alternative route in any of a plurality of sections of a plurality of traveling directions including at least a predetermined right turn and left turn Classifying the direction of travel, and
When the alternative route is searched, a graphic defined in advance for the classification of the traveling direction of the vehicle at the branch point between the guidance route and the searched route when traveling to the alternative route is displayed. And an alternative route generation notification method. In a navigation device that guides traveling along a guide route set up to a destination, an alternative route generation notification method for notifying generation of an alternative route that substitutes for the guide route,
Searching for an alternative route that is presumed to be better than the guidance route from the current position to the destination;
When the alternative route is searched, the travel distance when traveling on the alternative route and the travel when traveling on the guidance route in any of a plurality of magnitude relations including at least predetermined large and small Classifying the magnitude relationship with the distance;
When the alternative route is searched, a graphic defined in advance for a category in which the magnitude relationship between the travel distance when traveling on the alternative route and the travel distance when traveling on the guidance route is classified An alternative route generation notification method comprising the steps of: In a navigation device that guides traveling along a guide route set up to a destination, an alternative route generation notification method for notifying generation of an alternative route that substitutes for the guide route,
Searching for an alternative route that is presumed to be better than the guidance route from the current position to the destination;
When the alternative route is searched, a vehicle at a branch point between the guidance route and the searched route when traveling to the alternative route in any of a plurality of sections of a plurality of traveling directions including at least a predetermined right turn and left turn Classifying the direction of travel, and
When the alternative route is searched, the travel distance when traveling on the alternative route and the travel when traveling on the guidance route in any of a plurality of magnitude relations including at least predetermined large and small Classifying the magnitude relationship with the distance;
A step of displaying a graphic defined in advance for a combination of the classification classified by the traveling direction classification means and the classification classified by the travel distance relation classification means when the alternative route is searched. An alternative route generation notification method characterized by:

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