JP2006275869A - Navigation system, navigation method and navigation program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a route searching operation improved in precision of predicting a fuel cost and prioritizes the cost, and to make a travel control in keeping with a desired cost. <P>SOLUTION: A navigation system is provided which comprises: a fuel cost performance learning process section which carries out a learning process for a fuel cost performance by using fuel performance information acquired through a fuel performance measuring section; a fuel unit price calculating section which calculates an average unit price of fuel being carried in a fuel tank by using fuel information acquired through a fuel information acquiring section; a cost predicting section which predicts a cost accompanying a route searched based on a user's desired cost by using the fuel performance information, the fuel information, map information and road information; and a travel control processing section which makes a drive control and gives a drive advice based on route information including the cost predicted by the cost predicting section. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device, a navigation method, and a navigation program that are mounted on a mobile body and provide route information to a destination. In particular, the navigation can be performed with priority on cost, and the cost to the destination can be accurately determined. The present invention relates to a navigation device, a navigation method, and a navigation program that can suppress the deviation between the predicted cost and the actually required cost.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, navigation apparatuses that are mounted on automobiles and provide route information to a destination are known. In such a navigation device, in consideration of user convenience, whether to use a toll road such as an expressway, whether to give priority to the required time or to give priority to the travel distance is input, and these conditions are met. Often provided route candidates. In addition to displaying map information, information on facilities such as stores and parking lots is generally displayed.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a user enters a desired budget, and searches a database storing cost information such as fuel costs to the destination and facility usage fees, so that the user can go within the range of the desired budget. A navigation device that provides possible destination candidates is disclosed.

  Further, Patent Document 2 measures the amount of fuel consumed as the automobile travels, and calculates the fuel consumption rate (hereinafter referred to as “fuel consumption”) in a predetermined section from the measured fuel consumption and the actual travel distance. A navigation device is disclosed that displays the calculated fuel consumption rate superimposed on the map data and predicts the future fuel consumption based on the calculated fuel consumption rate.

JP 2003-194563 A JP-A-11-180185

  However, even if the technique of Patent Document 1 is used, there is a problem that the user's needs for receiving navigation with priority on cost cannot be satisfied because the destination has already been determined.

  Specifically, in the conventional navigation device, although priority is given to the required time and navigation that prioritizes the travel distance is performed, navigation that prioritizes cost is not performed. This is because cost-oriented navigation is easily affected by variable factors such as the performance of each vehicle, the user's driving style, and road conditions, making it difficult to accurately predict costs.

  For this reason, it is possible to predict the fuel cost based on the fuel consumption performance of each vehicle by using the technique of Patent Document 2 together. However, Patent Document 2 considers the fuel consumption of an automobile, but does not consider the price of fuel. Since the price of fuel is usually different for each gas station to be refueled, it is difficult to accurately predict the fuel cost to the destination without taking this fuel price into consideration.

  By the way, although it is beneficial to accurately predict the fuel cost to the destination, the actual running state usually changes every moment. Therefore, it is expected that a large “deviation” may occur between the predicted fuel cost and the actual fuel cost.

  From these, it is possible to perform navigation with priority on cost, how to accurately predict the cost to the destination, and how to reduce the gap between the predicted cost and the actual cost. How to achieve this is a major issue.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems caused by the prior art, and can perform navigation with priority on cost, accurately predict the cost to the destination, and estimate the actual cost. An object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device, a navigation method, and a navigation program that can suppress the deviation from the cost required for the above.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a navigation device according to the invention of claim 1 is a navigation device that is mounted on a mobile body and provides route information to a destination, and provides a user's desired budget. Input means for inputting, cost predicting means for predicting the cost required for moving to the destination, route generating means for generating the route information to the destination, and the route generated by the route generating means for the mobile body And a signal output means for outputting a travel control signal based on the desired budget input by the user when the vehicle moves.

  A navigation device according to the invention of claim 2 is a navigation device that is mounted on a moving body and provides route information to a destination, and includes an input means for inputting a user's desired budget, and movement to the destination. A cost predicting unit that predicts a cost required by the input unit, and a route generating unit that generates the route information based on the desired budget input by the input unit and the cost predicted by the cost predicting unit. It is characterized by that.

  The navigation device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the navigation device according to the first or second aspect, further comprising fuel information acquisition means for acquiring a fuel price and a fuel replenishment amount for each fuel replenishment, wherein the cost prediction means Is characterized in that the cost required to move to the destination is predicted based on the information acquired by the fuel information acquisition means.

  The navigation device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the navigation device according to the first, second, or third aspect, further comprising fuel consumption performance storage means for storing fuel consumption performance of the moving body for each predetermined movement condition, The predicting means predicts a cost required for traveling to the destination based on the fuel efficiency performance stored in the fuel efficiency performance storage means.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the actual fuel consumption performance is measured for each of the predetermined movement conditions, and stored in the fuel consumption performance storage means based on the measured actual fuel consumption performance. The fuel consumption performance updating means for updating the fuel consumption performance is further provided.

  The navigation device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the navigation apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, further comprising congestion information acquisition means for acquiring information about a congestion section existing on the route to the destination. The cost predicting means predicts the cost required to move to the destination based on the information acquired by the congestion information acquiring means.

  A navigation device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention provides the navigation device according to any one of the second to sixth aspects, wherein the route information generated by the route generation means is presented to a user and a route is selected for the user. Route approval means for encouraging the user and if the user selects a route, the cost predicted by the cost prediction means for the selected route is set as the upper limit value, and the travel control of the mobile body is performed so as not to exceed the upper limit value. And a traveling control signal generating means for generating a signal for performing the operation.

  The navigation device according to an invention of claim 8 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 7, the travel control signal generating means generates a signal for prohibiting a user's driving operation leading to deterioration of fuel consumption performance. To do.

  The navigation device according to claim 9 is the navigation device according to claim 8, wherein the travel control signal generating means includes altitude information at each point on the route, travel information of the mobile body acquired as needed, and Based on the above, a minimum required torque for traveling is calculated, and a signal for prohibiting a driving operation exceeding the required torque is generated.

  The navigation device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the navigation device according to the eighth or ninth aspect, further comprising peripheral information acquisition means for acquiring an object around the moving body and a distance from the object, and generating the travel control signal The means generates a signal for canceling the prohibition of the driving operation when a danger is predicted from the information acquired by the peripheral information acquiring means.

  The navigation device according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the navigation device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the route information generated by the route generation means is presented to a user and a route is selected for the user. And route approval means for encouraging the user, and if the user selects a route, the cost predicted by the cost prediction means for the selected route is set as an upper limit, and the user is prevented from exceeding the upper limit. A driving advice means for giving driving advice is further provided.

  The navigation device according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the navigation device according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, wherein when the driving advice means detects a driving operation of a user that leads to a deterioration in fuel consumption performance, the navigation device drives the user. It is characterized by giving advice.

  The navigation device according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the navigation device according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, wherein the driving advice means is based on altitude information at each point on the route and travel information of the mobile body acquired as needed. Thus, a minimum required torque for traveling is calculated, and when a driving operation exceeding the required torque is detected, driving advice is given to the user.

  The navigation method according to the invention of claim 14 is a navigation method for providing route information to a destination in a mobile body, which is required for an input step for inputting a user's desired budget and a movement to the destination. A cost prediction step for predicting a cost, a route generation step for generating the route information to the destination, and the mobile unit that is input by the user when traveling the route generated by the route generation step. And a signal output step of outputting a travel control signal based on the desired budget.

  A navigation method according to the invention of claim 15 is a navigation method for providing route information to a destination in a mobile body, and is required for an input step for inputting a user's desired budget and a movement to the destination. A cost prediction step of predicting a cost, and a route generation step of generating the route information based on the desired budget input by the input step and the cost predicted by the cost prediction step. Features.

  The navigation method according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the navigation method according to the fourteenth or fifteenth aspect, further comprising a fuel information acquisition step of acquiring a fuel price and a fuel replenishment amount for each fuel replenishment, wherein the cost prediction step Is characterized by predicting the cost required to move to the destination based on the information acquired by the fuel information acquisition step.

  In addition, the navigation method according to the invention of claim 17 further includes a fuel consumption performance storing step of storing the fuel consumption performance of the mobile object for each predetermined movement condition in the invention of claim 14, 15 or 16, wherein the cost The predicting step is characterized by predicting a cost required for traveling to the destination based on the fuel efficiency performance stored in the fuel efficiency performance storing step.

  Further, in the navigation method according to the invention of claim 18, in the invention of claim 17, the actual fuel consumption performance is measured for each of the predetermined movement conditions, and stored in the fuel consumption performance storage step based on the measured actual fuel consumption performance. The method further includes a fuel efficiency update step for updating the fuel efficiency performed.

  A navigation program according to the invention of claim 19 is a navigation program for providing route information to a destination in a mobile body, and is required for an input procedure for inputting a user's desired budget and for moving to the destination. A cost prediction procedure for predicting a cost; a route generation procedure for generating the route information to the destination; and when the mobile body travels a route generated by the route generation procedure, A signal output procedure for outputting a travel control signal based on a desired budget is executed by a computer.

  A navigation program according to the invention of claim 20 is a navigation program for providing route information to a destination in a mobile body, and is required for an input procedure for inputting a user's desired budget and for moving to the destination. A computer executes a cost prediction procedure for predicting a cost, a route generation procedure for generating the route information based on the desired budget input by the input procedure and the cost predicted by the cost prediction procedure. It is characterized by that.

  According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a travel control apparatus comprising: an input unit that inputs a user's desired budget; a cost prediction unit that predicts a cost required to move to a destination; and route information to the destination. Navigation comprising: a route generation means for generating; and a signal output means for outputting a travel control signal based on the desired budget input by a user when a mobile body travels on the route generated by the route generation means. When the travel control signal output by the signal output means is received from the apparatus, the travel of the moving body is controlled according to the travel control signal.

  According to the navigation apparatus according to claim 1, the input means for inputting the user's desired budget, the cost prediction means for predicting the cost required to move to the destination, and the route for generating the route information to the destination Since it is configured to include generation means and signal output means for outputting a travel control signal based on the desired budget input by the user when the moving body moves on the route generated by the route generation means. By providing the route reflecting the desired budget and traveling control, it is possible to perform navigation with priority on cost.

  According to the navigation apparatus according to claim 2, the input means for inputting the user's desired budget, the cost prediction means for predicting the cost required for moving to the destination, the desired budget input by the input means, and the cost Since the route generation unit that generates the route information based on the cost predicted by the prediction unit is provided, it is possible to perform navigation giving priority to the cost.

  The navigation device according to claim 3 further comprises fuel information acquisition means for acquiring the price of fuel and the amount of fuel supply for each fuel supply, and the cost prediction means is acquired by the fuel information acquisition means. Since the cost required to move to the destination is predicted based on the information, the cost can be predicted based on the accurate fuel price.

  According to the navigation device of the fourth aspect, the fuel consumption performance storage means for storing the fuel consumption performance of the moving body is further provided for each predetermined movement condition, and the cost prediction means is the fuel consumption performance stored in the fuel consumption performance storage means. Since the cost required for moving to the destination is predicted based on the performance, the cost can be predicted based on the accurate fuel consumption performance of the moving body.

  Further, according to the navigation device of the fifth aspect, the actual fuel efficiency is measured for each predetermined movement condition, and the fuel efficiency update for updating the fuel efficiency stored in the fuel efficiency storage means based on the measured actual fuel efficiency. Since the apparatus is further provided with the means, the fuel consumption performance of the moving body can be more accurately acquired by reflecting the individual difference of the moving body and the driving performance of the user.

  The navigation device according to claim 6 further comprises congestion information acquisition means for acquiring information about the congestion section existing on the route to the destination, and the cost prediction means is acquired by the congestion information acquisition means. Since the cost required to move to the destination is predicted based on the information, the cost reflecting the fluctuation factors such as congestion information can be predicted.

  According to the navigation device of claim 7, route approval means for presenting the route information generated by the route generation means to the user and prompting the user to select a route, and if the user selects the route Since the cost predicted by the cost prediction means for the selected route is set as an upper limit value, and configured to further include a travel control signal generation means for generating a signal for performing the travel control of the mobile body so as not to exceed the upper limit value, There is an effect that a high economic effect can be obtained by running in compliance with the predicted cost.

  According to the navigation device of the eighth aspect, the travel control signal generation means is configured to generate a signal for prohibiting the user's driving operation leading to deterioration of fuel consumption performance, and therefore travel with priority on cost. As a result, there is an effect that a high economic effect can be obtained.

  Further, according to the navigation device of the ninth aspect, the travel control signal generating means is a minimum for traveling based on the altitude information at each point on the route and the travel information of the mobile body acquired as needed. Since the necessary torque is calculated and the signal for prohibiting the driving operation exceeding the required torque is generated, it is possible to effectively eliminate the driving operation that greatly affects the deterioration of the fuel consumption. .

  In addition, according to the navigation device of the tenth aspect of the present invention, the navigation apparatus further includes peripheral information acquisition means for acquiring an object around the moving body and a distance from the object, and the travel control signal generation means is based on information acquired by the peripheral information acquisition means Since it is configured to generate a signal to cancel the prohibition of driving operation when danger is predicted, it is possible to achieve both high economic effect and high safety by canceling the driving with priority on the predicted cost in a timely manner. There is an effect that can be done.

  Further, according to the navigation device of the eleventh aspect, if the route approval means for presenting the route information generated by the route generation means to the user and prompting the user to select the route, and if the user selects the route Since the cost forecasting means predicted for the selected route is set as the upper limit, and the driving advice means for giving driving advice to the user so as not to exceed the upper limit, the cost is given priority. There is an effect that driving can be promoted.

  Further, according to the navigation device of the twelfth aspect, the driving advice means is configured to give driving advice to the user when detecting the driving operation of the user that leads to deterioration of fuel consumption performance. By enhancing the learning effect of the user, it is possible to promote traveling that prioritizes cost.

  According to the navigation device of the thirteenth aspect, the driving advice means is the minimum necessary for traveling based on the altitude information at each point on the route and the traveling information of the moving body that is acquired as needed. When the required torque is calculated and the driving operation exceeding the required torque is detected, the driving advice is given to the user. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to promote traveling with priority on cost.

  According to the navigation method of the fourteenth aspect, an input process for inputting a user's desired budget, a cost prediction process for predicting a cost required to move to the destination, and route information to the destination are generated. It is configured to include a route generation step and a signal output step for outputting a travel control signal based on a desired budget input by the user when the mobile body travels on the route generated by the route generation step. By providing a route reflecting the budget and traveling control, it is possible to perform navigation with priority on cost.

  According to the navigation method of claim 15, the input step of inputting the user's desired budget, the cost prediction step of predicting the cost required for moving to the destination, and the desired budget input by the input step The route generation step for generating the route information based on the cost predicted by the cost prediction step is included, so that it is possible to perform navigation with priority on the cost.

  The navigation method according to claim 16 further includes a fuel information acquisition step of acquiring a fuel price and a fuel supply amount for each fuel supply, and the cost prediction step is acquired by the fuel information acquisition step. Since the cost required to move to the destination is predicted based on the information, the cost can be predicted based on the accurate fuel price.

  According to the navigation method of the seventeenth aspect, the fuel consumption performance storing step of storing the fuel consumption performance of the moving body is further provided for each predetermined movement condition, and the cost prediction step includes the fuel consumption performance stored in the fuel consumption performance storage step. Since the cost required for moving to the destination is predicted based on the performance, the cost can be predicted based on the accurate fuel consumption performance of the moving body.

  Further, according to the navigation method of claim 18, the actual fuel efficiency is measured for each predetermined movement condition, and the fuel efficiency update for updating the fuel efficiency stored in the fuel efficiency performance storing step based on the measured actual fuel efficiency is performed. Since the process is further included, there is an effect that the fuel efficiency of the moving body can be obtained more accurately by reflecting the individual difference of the moving body and the driving performance of the user.

  According to the navigation program of the nineteenth aspect, the input procedure for inputting the user's desired budget, the cost prediction procedure for predicting the cost required to move to the destination, and the route information to the destination are generated. It is configured to cause the computer to execute a route generation procedure and a signal output procedure for outputting a travel control signal based on a desired budget input by the user when the mobile body travels on the route generated by the route generation procedure. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to perform navigation giving priority to cost by providing a route reflecting the desired budget and traveling control.

  According to the navigation program of claim 20, the input procedure for inputting the user's desired budget, the cost prediction procedure for predicting the cost required to move to the destination, the desired budget input by the input procedure, Since the route generation procedure for generating route information based on the cost predicted by the cost prediction procedure is included, it is possible to perform navigation giving priority to the cost.

  According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a travel control apparatus comprising: an input unit that inputs a user's desired budget; a cost prediction unit that predicts a cost required to move to a destination; A signal output from a navigation device comprising a generation means and a signal output means for outputting a travel control signal based on a desired budget input by a user when the mobile body travels on the route generated by the route generation means. When the traveling control signal output by the means is received, the traveling of the moving body is controlled in accordance with the received traveling control signal, so that a high economic effect can be obtained by performing the traveling in compliance with the predicted cost. There is an effect.

  Exemplary embodiments of a navigation device, a navigation method, and a navigation program according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, the case where the present invention is applied to an automobile will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a concept of a navigation method according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, in the navigation method according to the present invention, the cost required to move to the destination is predicted based on the desired budget input by the user, and traveling control is performed in accordance with the predicted cost. There is a feature. Specifically, when the user inputs a desired budget (see (1) in FIG. 1), the travel to the destination is required by using “fuel information”, “fuel efficiency performance information”, and “route information”. Calculate (predict) the cost (see (2) in FIG. 1).

  Here, “fuel information” is information on the amount of fuel in the fuel tank and the average unit price of this fuel, and “fuel efficiency information” is information on fuel efficiency that is updated based on actual driving. “Route information” is information relating to a route used for traveling to a destination such as map information and traffic jam information.

  In the navigation method according to the present invention, the above-described “fuel information” and “fuel efficiency information” are appropriately acquired to improve the accuracy of cost prediction regarding fuel consumption. The details of the “fuel information” acquisition process will be described later with reference to FIG. 5, and the details of the “fuel consumption performance information” acquisition process will be described later with reference to FIG. 4.

  In the navigation method according to the present invention, a route candidate that can reach a destination within the desired budget is displayed to the user on the basis of the desired budget input by the user (see FIG. 1). (See (3)). If there is no route within the desired budget, a route candidate close to that and the desired budget is presented.

  When the user determines a desired route from the route candidates (see (4) in FIG. 1), the navigation method starts navigation for the determined route. In this case, from the viewpoint of complying with the desired budget described above, advice for performing so-called “eco-driving” is given as needed, and in order to more actively comply with the desired budget, control of the fuel injection device of the automobile, A travel control process such as control is performed (see (5) in FIG. 1).

  By performing such “cost prediction processing”, the navigation method according to the present invention can perform navigation with priority on cost and can accurately predict the cost to the destination. Further, by performing the “running control process”, it is possible to suppress a difference between the predicted cost and the actually required cost. Instead of the “running control process”, a “driving advice process” may be performed in which a driving operation for which an increase in cost is a concern is detected and a driving advice is given to the user.

  Next, a system configuration example of the navigation apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration example of the navigation apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, in such a navigation device, fuel information is acquired for each refueling by using an in-vehicle credit card system or the like.

  For example, when 30.5 L of gasoline having a unit price of 110 yen / L is supplied, the information is received from a card reader of a gas station or a credit card center and stored in a storage device of the navigation device. And the average unit price of the gasoline in a fuel tank is computed by performing acquisition of this fuel information for every refueling.

  Note that the above-described fuel information may be corrected by providing a sensor in the fuel tank and measuring the amount of gasoline in the fuel tank more accurately. By doing so, the influence of volatilization of gasoline at the time of refueling can be eliminated, so that the accuracy of calculating the average unit price can be improved.

  Further, in this navigation apparatus, variable elements on a route such as a traffic jam section and a construction section are acquired from a road traffic information system such as VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System). And the accuracy of cost calculation is improved by using these information for the cost calculation regarding fuel consumption. For example, when providing a route based on the desired budget, obtain fluctuation factors on the route, and use the fuel consumption rate at the time of congestion in the traffic jam section included in the route to calculate more accurate costs. It becomes possible.

  As described above, in the navigation device according to the present embodiment, information such as fuel information and VICS information is received from an external system and used for cost calculation, and fuel consumption performance information and maps stored in the storage device in the navigation device are used. Costs are calculated using information.

  By the way, the cost related to the fuel consumption is determined by the unit price of the fuel mounted in the fuel tank and the fuel consumption performance of each automobile. This fuel consumption performance varies greatly depending on the performance of each automobile, and even if the automobiles are of the same model, they usually have a difference depending on the driving style of the driver. Therefore, in order to improve the accuracy of cost calculation, it is important to acquire such fuel consumption performance with high accuracy.

  Therefore, the navigation device according to the present embodiment is provided with a so-called learning function that measures the fuel efficiency during actual traveling and updates the fuel efficiency stored in advance. For example, when the fuel efficiency of a predetermined vehicle is 5 km / L to 15 km / L, this fuel efficiency is stored as an initial value. As a result of actual measurement, if the actual fuel efficiency is 7 km / L to 12 km / L, the actual measurement value is used as a new fuel efficiency value.

  The fuel efficiency value has a width as described above, but this width is caused by traveling conditions. For example, 12 km / L when driving on highways, 10 km / L when driving on urban areas, 8 km / L when going uphill, and 7 km / L when there is traffic, etc. .

  Therefore, when acquiring the actual measurement value, it is possible to acquire the fuel efficiency value corresponding to each traveling condition by measuring the fuel efficiency performance by linking with the map information used in the navigation device. Then, by using the fuel efficiency value acquired in this way when calculating the cost, more accurate cost prediction can be performed.

  Furthermore, in the navigation device according to the present embodiment, when the user decides a route and starts navigation, driving advice for performing so-called “eco-driving” or driving control of an automobile is performed. .

  Specifically, when a user's driving operation is acquired using various sensors, and an operation that deteriorates fuel consumption such as an unnecessary accelerator operation or an unnecessary brake operation is detected, a voice message warning these operations is issued. Output. In addition to the output of the voice message, or in place of the output of the voice message, control for prohibiting these operations is performed. By performing such traveling control, it is possible to suppress the deviation between the predicted cost and the actually required cost.

  Next, the configuration of the navigation device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating the configuration of the navigation device according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the navigation apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a fuel efficiency measurement unit 2, a fuel information acquisition unit 3, a road information acquisition unit 4, an input unit 5, an output unit 6, and a control unit. 10 and a storage unit 20.

  The control unit 10 further includes a fuel consumption performance learning processing unit 11, a fuel consumption unit price calculation unit 12, a cost prediction unit 13, and a travel control processing unit 14, and the storage unit 20 includes fuel consumption performance information 21 and The fuel information 22 and the map information 23 are further provided.

  The fuel consumption performance measuring unit 2 is composed of sensors that measure fuel consumption and travel distance, and measures fuel consumption performance (for example, travel distance per 1 L of fuel) according to the travel conditions to the fuel consumption performance information learning processing unit 11. The device to pass.

  The fuel information acquisition unit 3 is a device that receives fuel information such as a fuel supply amount and a fuel unit price from a credit card system or the like for each fuel supply and passes the fuel information to a fuel unit price calculation unit. The fuel information acquisition unit 3 may include a sensor that measures the amount of gasoline in the fuel tank, and the actual amount of gasoline measured may be used to correct the amount of fuel supplied in the fuel information.

  The road information acquisition unit 4 is a device that receives a variable element such as a traffic jam section or a construction section from a road traffic information system such as VICS, and performs processing to pass to the cost prediction unit 13. The input unit 5 includes a touch panel and a microphone, and is a device that accepts user input such as a desired budget and a destination. When the user inputs a desired budget using a microphone, the process of converting the sound into numerical data is performed by recognizing the input sound.

  The output unit 6 includes a display, a speaker, and the like, and is a device that outputs a route candidate (route information reflecting a desired budget) output by the cost prediction unit 13, a route selection menu, a driving advice, and the like. is there.

  Based on the desired budget received via the input unit 5, the control unit 10 performs cost prediction using the fuel consumption information 21, the fuel information 22 and the map information 23, and routes candidates with cost information are output via the output unit 6. Is a processing unit provided to the user. The control unit 10 is also a processing unit that performs navigation for a route selected from route candidates. And when performing navigation, while giving the driving advice with respect to a user, the traveling control for complying with a desired budget is performed by instruct | indicating each traveling control apparatus.

  The fuel consumption performance learning processing unit 11 is a processing unit that updates the fuel consumption performance information 21 in the storage unit 20 using the fuel consumption performance information acquired through the fuel consumption performance measurement unit 2. Specifically, the fuel efficiency performance learning processing unit 11 is a processing unit that performs so-called learning processing in which the fuel efficiency performance information 21 for each traveling condition stored in advance is updated using actually measured values. By performing such learning processing, it is possible to accurately calculate the fuel efficiency value, which is an important factor for cost prediction.

  Here, the processing procedure of the fuel efficiency performance learning processing unit 11 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the fuel efficiency performance learning process. As shown in the figure, the fuel efficiency range initial value is set in advance in the fuel efficiency performance information 21 of the storage unit 20 (step S101). The initial value of the fuel consumption range is information representing the fuel consumption range corresponding to each model of the automobile, and is information including the fuel consumption value for each driving condition such as highway driving and urban driving.

  Then, the fuel consumption performance learning processing unit 11 acquires the fuel consumption data based on the actual travel through the fuel consumption performance measurement unit 2 (step S102), and updates the fuel consumption performance information 21 in the storage unit 20 (step S103). And the fuel consumption performance value corresponding to each user is learned by repeating the process of step S102-step S103.

  In the update process shown in step S103, statistical weighting may be performed when the newly acquired fuel efficiency information is reflected in the fuel efficiency information 21. For example, by using a technique such as a moving average method, it is possible to perform learning processing that eliminates variations such as temporary deterioration in fuel consumption.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 3, the fuel unit price calculation unit 12 will be described. The fuel unit price calculation unit 12 calculates the average unit price of the fuel mounted in the fuel tank based on the fuel information acquired via the fuel information acquisition unit 3 and stores the calculation result in the fuel information 22 of the storage unit 20. A processing unit that performs processing.

  The unit price of fuel such as gasoline is usually different for each gas station where fuel is supplied. For this reason, fuels having different unit prices are mixedly mounted in the fuel tank. Therefore, if the average unit price of the fuel mounted in the fuel tank is calculated, more accurate cost prediction can be performed.

  Here, the processing procedure of this fuel unit price calculation part 12 is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of fuel unit price calculation processing. As shown in the figure, the fuel unit price calculation unit 12 acquires the fuel unit price and the fuel supply amount via the fuel information acquisition unit 3 every time fuel is replenished (step S201). Further, the increment of the fuel in the tank is acquired using the sensor included in the fuel information acquisition unit 3 (step S202).

  And when the conditions which need correction | amendment are satisfy | filled, such as when the difference of the fuel supply amount and the increase of the actual fuel in a tank exceeds a predetermined value (step S203, Yes), correction | amendment is performed (step S204). . On the other hand, when correction is not necessary (No at Step S203), Step S204 is not performed.

  Subsequently, the fuel information 22 in the storage unit 20 is updated (step S205). When a new fuel supply is performed without receiving a route generation request from the user (No at Step S206), the fuel information 22 is updated by repeating the processes after Step S201. On the other hand, when a route generation request is accepted (step S206, Yes), the average unit price of the onboard fuel is calculated (step S207) and written in the fuel information 22 of the storage unit 20, and the process ends.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 3, the cost prediction unit 13 will be described. The cost prediction unit includes information such as a traffic congestion section received via the road information acquisition unit 4, route search requirements such as a destination and a desired budget received via the input unit 5, fuel efficiency performance information 21, fuel information 22 and map information. 23 is a processing unit that performs a route search based on the user's desired budget based on No. 23 and predicts the cost required for traveling each route.

  Here, the concept of the processing performed by the expense prediction unit 13 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the concept of the cost calculation process. The figure shows a special section existing on the route from the departure point to the destination point. The cost prediction unit 13 performs a route search based on the destination and the desired budget, but it is necessary to consider such a special section when calculating the cost for traveling to each destination after traveling on each route. .

  For example, as shown in the figure, when the road information acquired via the road information acquisition unit 4 includes a traffic jam section, the fuel efficiency performance value at the time of traffic jam included in the fuel efficiency performance information 21 is used. For example, when there is a traffic jam section that requires 30 minutes to travel 5 km, a lower fuel efficiency value is used than when there is a traffic jam section that requires 10 minutes to travel 5 km. For sections other than the traffic jam section, the fuel cost is calculated using fuel consumption performance values that match the driving environment such as the height difference included in the map information 23 and the road width (such as national roads and city roads). .

  If there is a toll road in the route candidate route, it is necessary to deduct the toll on the toll road from the desired budget. For example, if the desired budget is 3000 yen and the toll road driving fee is 500 yen, it is determined that fuel of 2500 yen (3000-500 yen) can be used, and the fuel of 2500 yen Will be searching for routes that can be reached using.

  Next, a processing procedure of the cost calculation process performed by the cost prediction unit 13 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the cost calculation processing. As shown in the figure, the cost prediction unit 13 acquires information such as traffic jam section information and map information from the map information 23 and the road information acquisition unit 4 in the storage unit 20 (step S301). Then, the fuel efficiency information 21 is referred to using each traveling environment and traveling condition (step S302).

  Subsequently, the fuel consumption of each section included in the candidate route is determined (step S303), and the required fuel amount is predicted from the determined fuel consumption and the distance of each section (step S304). Then, it is determined whether or not the prediction of all the sections is completed (step S305). When the prediction of all the sections is not completed (step S305, No), each section is repeated by repeating the processing after step S303. Continue the prediction process.

  On the other hand, when the prediction for all sections is completed (step S305, Yes), the required fuel cost for the entire route is predicted by adding the predicted fuel amount for each section (step S306). Then, the cost of the toll road is added to the required fuel cost predicted in step S306 (step S307), and the process is terminated.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 3, the travel control processing unit 14 will be described. The travel control processing unit 14 is a processing unit that performs navigation on the determined route (route selected by the user) received via the cost prediction unit 14. Specifically, the travel control processing unit 14 is a processing unit that performs a travel control process for complying with the desired budget or a driving advice process for complying with the desired budget by instructing each travel control device. . The details of the traveling control processing unit 14 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  The storage unit 20 is a storage unit configured by a storage device such as a nonvolatile RAM or HDD, and stores the fuel efficiency performance information 21, the fuel information 22, and the map information 23 described above. The storage unit 20 may be configured by the above-described RAM or HDD, but may be configured by using a portable storage medium device that reads and writes a portable storage medium such as a DVD-ROM or DVD-RAM. .

  Next, the processing content of the travel control processing unit 14 described above will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an outline of the traveling control process. As shown in the figure, the travel control processing unit 14 uses information from a climbing recognition device, a vehicle periphery recognition system, and the like in addition to the route information acquired from the cost prediction unit 13, and travel based on the acquired information. By giving a control instruction to the travel control device group, the travel control complying with the desired budget is executed.

  For example, the travel control device group includes a brake control system, a fuel injection control system, a transmission control system, and a constant speed travel control system. By utilizing these control systems, it is possible to suppress the difference between the predicted fuel cost and the actually required fuel cost. In addition, although not shown in FIG. 8, it is good also as controlling ON / OFF of vehicle equipment, such as an air conditioner.

  Next, torque control, which is an example of the travel control process, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating torque control in the travel control process. First, as shown in the graph in which the vertical axis indicates “altitude” and the horizontal axis indicates “traveling direction”, the necessary torque (F) when the automobile climbs a slope having an angle θ will be described.

  In this case, if the total vehicle weight (M) including the mass of the occupant, gravity (g), wind speed (ν), vehicle speed (v), road load (μ), and wind pressure coefficient (k) are used, the required torque (F ) Can be expressed as F = Mg sin θ + k (ν + v) + Mg μ cos θ. If θ is obtained from the above-described climbing slope recognition device, and ν and v are obtained using a wind speed sensor and a vehicle speed sensor, this necessary torque (F) can be calculated.

  Therefore, if the traveling control processing unit 14 performs traveling control based on the required torque (F) at each point on the route, fuel consumption can be efficiently suppressed. The cost prediction unit 13 described above may use the calculation result of the necessary torque (F) when predicting the cost of the predetermined route. By doing in this way, it becomes possible to raise the precision of expense prediction more.

  In the same figure, as shown in the graph where the vertical axis represents “torque” and the horizontal axis represents “engine speed”, an engine mounted on a general automobile has a maximum torque at a predetermined engine speed. Is generated. Also, there is usually a range of engine speeds where the fuel consumption rate is flat. For this reason, fuel consumption can be reduced by controlling the fuel injection control system or performing transmission control (gear shift control) so that the engine speed at which the fuel consumption rate remains flat can be used. It becomes possible to suppress efficiently.

  Next, control based on altitude difference, which is an example of the travel control process, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining control based on an altitude difference in the travel control process. As shown in the figure, there is a height difference in the route from the departure point to the destination point, and there are roads such as an up road, a down road, and a flat road.

  If constant speed traveling control is performed on this flat road (see “constant speed control section” in FIG. 10), unnecessary fuel consumption can be avoided and traveling according to a desired budget can be performed. In addition, fuel control can be more efficiently suppressed by performing control such as cutting fuel on the down road (see “fuel cut control section” in FIG. 10).

  Moreover, when performing control based on the above-described altitude difference (constant speed control or fuel cut control), it is also possible to perform brake control so as not to brake as much as possible in conjunction with the brake system. It should be noted that when performing such a control that forces the user to prohibit operation, it is important to perform an operation prohibition control release process for ensuring safety. Further, by providing such an operation prohibition control release process, it is possible to actively use the operation prohibition control, so that there is an effect that it becomes easier to execute navigation according to the desired budget.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an operation prohibition control release process in the travel control process. As shown in FIG. 11, when a safety interval is set around the host vehicle and another vehicle approaches within the safety interval by using the above-described vehicle periphery recognition system, a travel control such as constant speed control is performed. Is released. In FIG. 11, the relationship between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle is shown as an example, but the relationship between the host vehicle and the rear vehicle may also be a target of the operation prohibition control release process. Moreover, not only a front vehicle and a back vehicle but a pedestrian and an obstruction can be made into the object of operation prohibition control cancellation | release process.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of an operation prohibition control release process in the travel control process. As shown in the figure, the travel control processing unit 14 starts the above-described operation restriction when starting navigation for performing travel according to the desired budget (step S401). If a danger is detected around the host vehicle by using the vehicle periphery recognition system described above (step S402, Yes), the operation restriction is released (step S404), and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if no danger is detected in the vicinity of the host vehicle (step S402, No), then it is determined whether or not the user has performed a danger avoidance operation by using the brake control system described above. (Step S403). This danger avoiding operation is performed by detecting that the depression pressure of the brake pedal exceeds a predetermined value, the rotational speed of the steering wheel exceeds a predetermined value, or the like.

  If no dangerous avoidance operation is detected (No at Step S403), the process ends. If a dangerous avoidance operation is detected (Yes at Step S403), the operation restriction is released and the process ends. .

  In the present embodiment, the case where each traveling control device is separate from the navigation device 1 has been described. However, the traveling control device may be integrated with the navigation device 1 (a type that controls part or all of the control).

  As described above, in the navigation device according to the present embodiment, the fuel consumption performance learning processing unit that performs the fuel consumption performance learning process using the fuel performance information acquired through the fuel performance measurement unit, and the fuel information acquisition unit. A fuel unit price calculation unit that calculates the average unit price of the fuel installed in the fuel tank using the fuel information obtained in the above, and a user's desired budget using fuel efficiency performance information, fuel information, map information and road information The cost prediction unit that performs cost prediction associated with the route search, and the travel control processing unit that performs driving advice and travel control based on route information including the predicted cost are provided. Priority navigation is possible and the cost to the destination is accurately predicted, and the difference between the predicted cost and the actual cost It can be suppressed.

Note that the present invention is not limited to being performed only by the navigation device provided in the mobile body. For example, a program for executing various processes of the present invention is installed in a personal computer such as a home so that the vehicle is unique or a general vehicle. Obtain information (such as average fuel efficiency) via communication means,
If a desired budget is input, a route close to the budget may be provided. In this way, it is possible to search for a route close to the desired budget at home or the like, and it is possible to consider a drive plan or the like even at a place away from the car. Alternatively, the route determined from the search results may be input to the car navigation device via a network such as the Internet or a portable recording medium such as a flash memory.

  As described above, the navigation device, the navigation method, and the navigation program according to the present invention are useful for route search and navigation in accordance with a desired budget, and in particular, route search and cost compliance requiring high-accuracy cost prediction are required. Suitable for required navigation.

It is a figure which shows the concept of the navigation method which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the system configuration example of the navigation apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the navigation apparatus concerning a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a fuel consumption performance learning process. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a fuel unit price calculation process. It is a figure which shows the concept of a cost calculation process. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a cost calculation process. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of a traveling control process. It is a figure explaining the torque control in a travel control process. It is a figure explaining the control based on the height difference in a travel control process. It is a figure explaining the operation prohibition control cancellation | release process in a travel control process. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the operation prohibition control cancellation | release process in a travel control process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Navigation apparatus 2 Fuel consumption performance measurement part 3 Fuel information acquisition part 4 Road information acquisition part 5 Input part 6 Output part 10 Control part 11 Fuel consumption performance learning process part 12 Fuel unit price calculation part 13 Cost prediction part 14 Travel control process part 20 Storage part 21 Fuel efficiency information 22 Fuel information 23 Map information

Claims (21)

A navigation device that is mounted on a moving body and provides route information to a destination,
An input means for inputting the user's desired budget;
A cost forecasting means to forecast the cost of traveling to the destination,
Route generating means for generating the route information to the destination;
A navigation device comprising: signal output means for outputting a travel control signal based on the desired budget input by a user when the mobile body moves on the route generated by the route generation means. . A navigation device that is mounted on a moving body and provides route information to a destination,
An input means for inputting the user's desired budget;
A cost forecasting means to forecast the cost of traveling to the destination,
A navigation apparatus comprising: a route generation unit configured to generate the route information based on the desired budget input by the input unit and the cost predicted by the cost prediction unit. A fuel information acquisition means for acquiring a fuel price and a fuel supply amount for each fuel supply;
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cost predicting unit predicts a cost required to move to a destination based on the information acquired by the fuel information acquiring unit. A fuel consumption performance storage means for storing the fuel consumption performance of the mobile body for each predetermined movement condition;
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the cost predicting means predicts a cost required to move to a destination based on the fuel efficiency performance stored in the fuel efficiency performance storage means.   It further comprises fuel efficiency update means for measuring actual fuel efficiency performance for each of the predetermined movement conditions and updating the fuel efficiency performance stored in the fuel efficiency performance storage means based on the measured actual fuel efficiency performance. The navigation device according to claim 4. It further comprises congestion information acquisition means for acquiring information about the congestion section existing on the route to the destination,
The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cost predicting unit predicts a cost required to move to a destination based on the information acquired by the congestion information acquiring unit. . Route approval means for presenting the route information generated by the route generation means to the user and prompting the user to select a route;
If the user selects a route, the cost predicted by the cost prediction means for the selected route is set as an upper limit value, and a signal for controlling the traveling of the mobile body is generated so as not to exceed the upper limit value. The navigation device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, further comprising: a traveling control signal generating means that performs the following. The travel control signal generating means includes
The navigation device according to claim 7, wherein a signal for prohibiting a user's driving operation leading to deterioration of fuel consumption performance is generated. The travel control signal generating means includes
Based on the altitude information at each point on the route and the travel information of the moving body acquired as needed, the minimum necessary torque required for traveling is calculated, and the driving operation exceeding the necessary torque is prohibited. The navigation apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the navigation apparatus generates a signal. Further comprising peripheral information acquisition means for acquiring an object around the moving body and a distance from the object;
The travel control signal generating means includes
The navigation device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein a signal for canceling the prohibition of the driving operation is generated when a danger is predicted from the information acquired by the peripheral information acquisition unit. Route approval means for presenting the route information generated by the route generation means to the user and prompting the user to select a route;
If the user selects a route, driving advice means for giving driving advice to the user so that the cost predicted by the cost prediction means for the selected route is set as an upper limit value and does not exceed the upper limit value. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: The driving advice means includes
12. The navigation device according to claim 11, wherein when a user's driving operation that leads to a deterioration in fuel consumption performance is detected, driving advice is given to the user. The driving advice means includes
Based on the altitude information at each point on the route and the travel information of the moving body acquired at any time, the necessary torque required for traveling is calculated, and a driving operation exceeding the necessary torque is detected. The navigation apparatus according to claim 12, wherein driving advice is given to the user. A navigation method for providing route information to a destination in a mobile object,
An input process for entering the user's desired budget;
A cost estimation process to predict the cost of traveling to the destination,
A route generation step for generating the route information to the destination;
A signal output step of outputting a travel control signal based on the desired budget input by a user when the mobile body travels on the route generated by the route generation step. . A navigation method for providing route information to a destination in a mobile object,
An input process for entering the user's desired budget;
A cost estimation process to predict the cost of traveling to the destination,
A route generation step comprising: a route generation step of generating the route information based on the desired budget input in the input step and the cost predicted in the cost prediction step. A fuel information acquisition step for acquiring a fuel price and a fuel supply amount for each fuel supply;
The navigation method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the cost prediction step predicts a cost required to move to a destination based on the information acquired by the fuel information acquisition step. A fuel consumption performance storing step of storing fuel consumption performance of the moving body for each predetermined movement condition;
The navigation method according to claim 14, 15 or 16, wherein the cost prediction step predicts a cost required to move to a destination based on the fuel consumption performance stored in the fuel consumption performance storage step.   It further includes a fuel efficiency update step of measuring an actual fuel efficiency for each of the predetermined movement conditions and updating the fuel efficiency stored in the fuel efficiency storage step based on the measured actual fuel efficiency. The navigation method according to claim 17. A navigation program that provides route information to a destination in a mobile object,
Input procedure to input user's desired budget,
A cost estimation procedure to estimate the cost of traveling to your destination,
A route generation procedure for generating the route information to the destination;
A signal output procedure for outputting a travel control signal based on the desired budget input by a user when the mobile body travels on the route generated by the route generation procedure. Navigation program. A navigation program that is mounted on a moving object and provides route information to a destination,
Input procedure to input user's desired budget,
A cost estimation procedure to estimate the cost of traveling to your destination,
A navigation program causing a computer to execute a route generation procedure for generating the route information based on the desired budget input by the input procedure and the cost predicted by the cost prediction procedure. An input means for inputting the user's desired budget;
A cost forecasting means to forecast the cost of traveling to the destination,
Route generating means for generating route information to the destination;
A signal output means for outputting a travel control signal based on the desired budget input by a user when a mobile body travels on the route generated by the route generation means; When the driving control signal output by is received,
A travel control device that controls travel of the mobile body according to the travel control signal.

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