JP2006277546A - Information providing system and information providing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a driver to smoothly drive a vehicle by allowing the driver to judge on which lane he should drive the vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: This information providing system has a present location detecting part, a basic information acquisition processing means for acquiring map data, a front monitoring device 48 for detecting preceding vehicles in each lane and detecting a relative speed between each preceding vehicle and a self-vehicle, and a lane selection processing means for selecting a recommended lane on the basis of feature of a road ahead of the self-vehicle, acquired on the basis of the map data and the relative speed. The driver can judge on which lane the driver should drive the vehicle and smoothly drive the vehicle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information providing system and an information providing method.

  Conventionally, in a navigation apparatus, for example, the position of a vehicle, that is, the current location is detected by GPS (Global Positioning System), and the direction of the vehicle is detected based on the turning angle of the vehicle detected by a gyro sensor. It can be done. Therefore, the map data is read from the data recording unit, a map screen is formed on the display unit of the navigation device, a map of the periphery is displayed on the map screen, the current position is the own vehicle position, and the vehicle direction is the own vehicle direction. It is trying to display as. Therefore, the driver who is an operator can drive the vehicle according to the vehicle position and the vehicle direction displayed on the map screen.

  When the driver inputs a destination and sets search conditions, a route search process is performed based on the search conditions, and a route from the departure point (or current location) to the destination is searched according to the map data. The Then, the searched route, that is, the searched route is displayed on the map screen together with the vehicle position, and guidance for the searched route, that is, route guidance is performed. Therefore, the driver can drive the vehicle along the displayed search route.

By the way, when a forward monitoring device such as a radar is mounted on the vehicle, the surrounding vehicle in front of the vehicle can be detected by the forward monitoring device. Therefore, in the navigation device, the travel lane that is the lane (lane) in which the vehicle is traveling is read, the travel lane is displayed on the map screen, and the travel lane is preceded based on the detection result of the forward monitoring device. The vehicle traveling and the vehicle traveling in the adjacent lane are displayed (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-50923 A

  However, in the conventional forward monitoring device, the driving lane can be displayed and the vehicle preceding the driving lane and the vehicle driving in the adjacent lane can be displayed. Thus, it cannot be determined whether the vehicle should be run, and the vehicle cannot always be run smoothly.

  The present invention solves the problems of the conventional forward monitoring apparatus, can determine which lane the driver should drive the vehicle, and can provide an information providing system that can smoothly drive the vehicle. An object is to provide an information providing method.

  Therefore, in the information providing system of the present invention, a current location detection unit that detects the current location of the vehicle, basic information acquisition processing means that acquires map data, a preceding vehicle for each lane, and each preceding vehicle A forward monitoring device that detects a relative speed with respect to the host vehicle, and a lane selection processing unit that selects a recommended lane based on the characteristics of the road ahead of the host vehicle acquired based on the map data and the relative speed. Have.

  According to the present invention, the recommended lane is selected based on the characteristics and relative speed of the road ahead of the host vehicle, so that the driver can determine which lane the vehicle should be driven on. It can run smoothly.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes an automatic transmission control unit as a powertrain control unit, and the automatic transmission control unit 10 is connected to an automatic transmission (not shown) and performs cooperative control of the automatic transmission and the like.

  Reference numeral 14 is an information terminal, for example, a navigation device as an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, 63 is a network, 51 is an information center as an information provider, and the automatic transmission control unit 10, the navigation device 14, the network 63, the information center 51 and the like constitute a navigation system.

  The navigation device 14 is based on a GPS sensor 15 as a current location detection unit that detects the current location of a vehicle, a data recording unit 16 as an information recording unit in which various information is recorded in addition to map data, and input information. , A navigation processing unit 17 for performing various arithmetic processes such as navigation processing, a direction sensor 18 as a direction detection unit for detecting the direction of the vehicle, and a first for performing a predetermined input when operated by a driver as an operator. The operation unit 34 as an input unit 1, various displays are performed by an image displayed on a screen (not shown), a display unit 35 as a first output unit for notifying the driver, and predetermined input is performed by voice A voice input unit 36 as a second input unit for voice, a voice as a second output unit for performing various displays by voice and notifying the driver And a communication unit 38 as a transmission / reception unit functioning as a communication terminal. The navigation processing unit 17 includes a GPS sensor 15, a data recording unit 16, an orientation sensor 18, an operation unit 34, a display unit 35, and voice input. The unit 36, the audio output unit 37, and the communication unit 38 are connected.

  The navigation processing unit 17 includes the automatic transmission control unit 10, a forward monitoring device 48 for monitoring the front of the vehicle, a display line for dividing a road lane, a camera as an imaging device for photographing the periphery of the vehicle, and the like. 49, an accelerator sensor 42 as an engine load detection unit that detects an accelerator pedal operation by the driver by an accelerator opening, a brake sensor 43 as a brake detection unit that detects an operation of the brake pedal by the driver by a brake depression amount, vehicle speed A vehicle speed sensor 44 or the like is detected. The accelerator sensor 42, the brake sensor 43, and the like constitute a vehicle operation information detection unit for detecting vehicle operation information by the driver.

  The GPS sensor 15 detects the current location on the earth by receiving radio waves generated by an artificial satellite, and also detects the time. In the present embodiment, the GPS sensor 15 is used as the current position detection unit, but a distance sensor, a steering sensor, an altimeter, etc. (not shown) are used alone or in combination instead of the GPS sensor 15. You can also Further, a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, or the like can be used as the direction sensor 18.

  The data recording unit 16 includes a map database including map data files, and map data is recorded in the map database. The map data includes intersection data related to intersections, node data related to nodes, road data related to road links, search data processed for searching, facility data related to facilities, and feature data related to features. . The feature data includes display lines such as stop lines, vehicle lane boundaries, manholes on roads, road signs, traffic signal position information, image information, and the like. The road data related to the lane includes lane data including a lane number assigned to each lane on the road, lane position information, and the like. Data for outputting predetermined information by the audio output unit 37 is also recorded in the data recording unit 16.

  Further, the data recording unit 16 includes a statistical database composed of statistical data files, a travel history database composed of travel history data files, and the like. Statistical data is stored in the statistical data file, and travel history data is stored in the travel history data file. However, both are recorded as performance data.

  The statistical data is a history of traffic information provided in the past, that is, history information representing a history, and a road traffic information center (not shown) such as a VICS (registered trademark: Vehicle Information and Communication System) center as an information provider. Traffic information provided in the past, etc., data indicating the traffic volume by road traffic census provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (hereinafter referred to as “road traffic census information”), road timetable information provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Etc. are used alone or in combination, processed as necessary, and subjected to statistical processing. It is possible to add traffic jam prediction information for predicting traffic jams to the statistical data. In that case, in creating the statistical data, detailed conditions such as date and time, day of the week, weather, various events, seasons, facility information (presence / absence of large facilities such as department stores and supermarkets) are added to the history information.

  The data items of the statistical data include a route on which the vehicle has traveled in the past, that is, a link number for each road link that constitutes each travel route, a direction flag that represents a travel direction, an information type that represents a type of information, a predetermined type Congestion level indicating the degree of traffic jam at each timing, link required time indicating required time for each predetermined timing when traveling on each road link, and average data for each day of the link required time (for example, Day average data).

  Further, the travel history data is the track record of the travel of the vehicle on the travel route collected by the information center 51 from a plurality of vehicles (own vehicle or other vehicle), that is, the track record information representing the track record. Calculated and accumulated as data.

  The data items of the travel history data include a link required time at each predetermined timing when traveling on each road link, a degree of congestion at each predetermined timing when traveling on each road link, and the like. Note that travel history data can be added to the statistical data. Further, in the present embodiment, the congestion level is used as a congestion index that represents the degree of congestion, and is represented separately for congestion, congestion, and non-congestion.

  The data recording unit 16 includes a disk (not shown) such as a hard disk, a CD, a DVD, and an optical disk in order to record the various data, and also reads / writes for reading and writing various data. A head (not shown) such as a head is provided. A memory card or the like can be used for the data recording unit 16.

  In the present embodiment, the data recording unit 16 is provided with the map database, statistical database, travel history database, and the like. However, in the information center 51, the map database, statistical database, travel history, etc. A history database or the like can also be provided.

  The navigation processing unit 17 is a control device that performs overall control of the navigation device 14 and a CPU 31 as an arithmetic device, a RAM 32 that is used as a working memory when the CPU 31 performs various arithmetic processes, In addition to the above program, a ROM 33 in which various programs for searching for a route to the destination, route guidance and the like are recorded, and a flash memory (not shown) used for recording various data, programs and the like are provided. .

  In the present embodiment, various programs can be recorded in the ROM 33 and various data can be recorded in the data recording unit 16, but the programs, data, and the like can also be recorded on a disk or the like. In this case, the program, data, etc. can be read from a disk or the like and written to the flash memory. Therefore, the program, data, etc. can be updated by exchanging the disk or the like. Further, the control program, data, and the like of the automatic transmission control unit 10 can be recorded on the disk or the like. Further, the program, data, and the like can be received via the communication unit 38 and written into the flash memory of the navigation processing unit 17.

  The operation unit 34 is operated by the driver to correct the current location at the start of traveling, to input a departure point and a destination, to input a passing point, and to activate the communication unit 38. As the operation unit 34, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like disposed independently of the display unit 35 can be used. Further, as the operation unit 34, a predetermined input operation is performed by touching or clicking an image operation unit such as various keys, switches, and buttons displayed as images on the screen formed in the display unit 35. It is possible to use a touch panel that can be used.

  A display can be used as the display unit 35. Then, on various screens formed on the display unit 35, the current position of the vehicle is displayed as the vehicle position, the vehicle direction is displayed as the vehicle direction, a map, a search route, guidance information along the search route, traffic In addition to displaying information and the like, displaying the distance to the next intersection on the searched route, and the traveling direction at the next intersection, the operation of the image operation unit, operation unit 34, voice input unit 36, etc. It is possible to display guidance, operation menus, key guidance, FM multiplex broadcast programs, and the like.

  The voice input unit 36 includes a microphone (not shown) and the like, and can input necessary information by voice. Further, the voice output unit 37 includes a voice synthesizer and a speaker (not shown), and the search route, guidance information, traffic information, and the like are output from the voice output unit 37, for example, as voice synthesized by the voice synthesizer. .

  The communication unit 38 transmits various information such as current traffic information and general information transmitted from the road traffic information center to radio wave beacons via radio wave beacon devices, optical beacon devices and the like arranged along the road. A beacon receiver for receiving as an optical beacon, an FM receiver for receiving as an FM multiplex broadcast via an FM broadcast station, and the like. The traffic information includes traffic jam information, regulation information, parking lot information, traffic accident information, service area congestion status information, and the like, and general information includes news, weather forecasts, and the like. Further, the beacon receiver and the FM receiver are unitized and arranged as a VICS receiver, but can be arranged separately.

  The traffic information includes an information type that indicates the type of information, a mesh number for specifying a mesh, a road link that connects two points (for example, intersections), and a link that indicates whether it is up / down. Number, including link information representing the content of information provided corresponding to the link number. For example, when the traffic information is traffic jam information, the link information is a distance from the start point of the road link to the head of the traffic jam Congestion head data representing traffic congestion degree, congestion section, traffic jam length representing the distance from the beginning of the traffic jam to the end of the traffic jam, link required time representing the time required to travel on the road link, and the like.

  And the communication part 38 can receive various information, such as traffic information and general information other than data, such as the said map data, statistical data, and driving history data, from the said information center 51 via the network 63. .

  For this purpose, the information center 51 includes a server 53, a communication unit 57 connected to the server 53, a database (DB) 58 as an information recording unit, and the like. A CPU 54, a RAM 55, a ROM 56, etc. are provided as devices. The database 58 records data similar to the various data recorded in the data recording unit 16, for example, the map data, statistical data, travel history data, and the like. Further, the information center 51 provides various information such as current traffic information and general information transmitted from the road traffic information center, and travel history data collected from a plurality of vehicles (own vehicle or other vehicles) in real time. can do.

  The forward monitoring device 48 includes a radar such as a laser radar and a millimeter wave radar, an ultrasonic sensor, or a combination thereof, and a vehicle traveling ahead of the traveling lane, and an adjacent lane, A vehicle traveling in an adjacent lane is monitored as a preceding vehicle, or a temporary stop point, an obstacle, or the like is monitored. In addition, the forward monitoring device 48 uses the relative speed indicating the relative vehicle speed with respect to the preceding vehicle as the vehicle surrounding information, a temporary stop point (an entry point from a non-priority road to a priority road, a railroad crossing, an intersection where a red signal flashes, etc.) The approach speed to the vehicle, the approach speed to the obstacle, etc. are detected, or the inter-vehicle distance, inter-vehicle time, etc. are calculated.

  The camera 49 is composed of a CCD, a C-MOS, etc., and as its own vehicle periphery information, the periphery of the vehicle, for example, a display line such as a stop line, a vehicle lane boundary, a vehicle front, side or rear intersection, a road The photographed object such as the upper manhole, road sign, traffic light, building or the like is photographed, and image data of the photographed object is sent to the CPU 31. When the CPU 31 receives the image data, the CPU 31 processes the image data to determine the state of the intersection, the size of the surrounding vehicle, the position of the surrounding vehicle, the number of surrounding vehicles, the position of the display line, the road lane, and the stop line position. Judging the position of road signs, the color of traffic lights, etc., and monitoring the vicinity of the vehicle.

  The navigation system, the navigation processing unit 17, the CPUs 31, 54, the server 53, and the like function as a computer based on various programs, data, and the like. The data recording unit 16, RAMs 32 and 55, ROMs 33 and 56, database 58, flash memory, and the like constitute a recording medium. An MPU or the like can be used instead of the CPUs 31 and 54 as the arithmetic unit.

  Next, a basic operation when the navigation system having the above configuration is used as an information providing system will be described.

  First, when the operation unit 34 is operated by the driver and the navigation device 14 is activated, a navigation initialization processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs a navigation initialization process and detects the current location of the vehicle detected by the GPS sensor 15. The vehicle direction detected by the direction sensor 18 is read, and various data are initialized. Next, the matching processing means (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs matching processing, and based on the trajectory of the read current location and the shape, arrangement, etc. of each road link constituting the road around the current location, The current location is identified by determining whether it is located on the road link.

  A lane detection processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs a lane detection process, reads image data such as display lines, manholes on the road, road signs, traffic lights, etc. taken by the camera 49, Image processing is performed, and the vehicle detects a travel lane by collating with the display line in the map data, feature data such as a manhole on the road, a road sign, and a traffic light.

  The lane detection processing means reads the sensor output of the geomagnetic sensor, and based on the sensor output, determines whether or not there is a detected object made of a ferromagnetic material such as a manhole in a predetermined lane on the road. The traveling lane can also be detected based on the determination result. Furthermore, it is possible to detect the current location with high accuracy using the highly accurate GPS sensor 15 and to detect the traveling lane based on the detection result. Further, if necessary, image processing can be performed on the display line image data, and at the same time, the traveling lane can be detected by combining the sensor output of the geomagnetic sensor, the current location, and the like.

  Subsequently, a basic information acquisition processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs a basic information acquisition process and acquires the map data by reading it from the data recording unit 16 or receiving it from the information center 51 or the like via the communication unit 38. And get. In addition, when acquiring map data from the information center 51 etc., the said basic information acquisition process means downloads the received map data to flash memory.

  A display processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs a display process and forms various screens on the display unit 35. For example, the road map display processing means of the display processing means performs road map display processing, forms a map screen on the display unit 35, displays surrounding maps on the map screen, and sets the current location as the vehicle position, Is displayed as the vehicle direction.

  Therefore, the driver can drive the vehicle according to the map, the vehicle position, and the vehicle direction.

  Further, when the driver operates the operation unit 34 to input a destination, a destination setting processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs a destination setting process to set the destination. Note that the departure place can be input and set as necessary. Moreover, a predetermined point can be registered in advance, and the registered point can be set as a destination. Subsequently, when the driver operates the operation unit 34 to input a search condition, a search condition setting processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs a search condition setting process to set the search condition.

  When the destination and search conditions are set in this way, the route search processing means (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs route search processing, reads the current location, destination, search conditions, and the like from the data recording unit 16. Based on the current location, the destination, and the search data, a route from the departure point to the destination represented by the current location is searched based on the search condition, and route data representing the searched route is output. At this time, the route with the smallest total link cost assigned to each road link is set as the searched route. When a plurality of lanes are formed on the road and a traveling lane is detected, the route search processing means searches for a search route for each lane. In that case, the route data also includes a lane number representing a traveling lane.

  Subsequently, a guidance processing means (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs guidance processing and provides route guidance. For this purpose, the route display processing means of the guidance processing means performs route display processing, reads the route data, and displays the searched route on the map screen according to the route data. When a search route for each lane is searched, route guidance for each lane is performed at a predetermined point, for example, a guidance intersection, and a travel lane for which route guidance is being performed is displayed in the enlarged intersection view. If necessary, the voice output processing means of the guidance processing means performs voice output processing, and outputs a search route by voice from the voice output unit 37 to provide route guidance.

  The information center 51 can perform a route search process. In that case, the CPU 31 transmits the current location, the destination, search conditions, and the like to the information center 51. When the information center 51 receives the current location, destination, search conditions, etc., the route search processing means (not shown) of the CPU 54 performs route search processing similar to that of the CPU 31 and reads the search data from the database 58 to obtain the current location, destination. Based on the location and the search data, a route from the departure point to the destination is searched under the search conditions, and route data representing the searched route is output. Subsequently, a transmission processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 54 performs transmission processing and transmits the route data to the navigation device 14. Therefore, in the navigation device 14, when the basic information acquisition processing means receives the route data from the information center 51, the guidance processing means performs route guidance as described above.

  And when a guidance intersection exists on the searched route, when the vehicle reaches a route guidance point that is a predetermined distance L1 (for example, X [m]) from the guidance intersection, the intersection enlarged map display process of the guidance processing means is performed. The means performs an enlarged intersection map display process, forms an enlarged intersection map as described above in a predetermined area of the map screen, performs route guidance by the enlarged intersection map, and displays the intersection enlarged map in the vicinity of the guidance intersection. A map, a searched route, a landmark such as a facility that serves as a landmark at a guidance intersection, and a route lane or the like are displayed when route guidance is performed in units of lanes. Further, if necessary, the voice output processing means outputs a voice such as “This is X [m] to the left” from the voice output unit 37 and performs route guidance.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, the forward monitoring device 48 can detect the relative speed and the like of the preceding vehicle in the traveling lane and the adjacent lane. Therefore, regardless of whether route guidance is performed for each lane, the lane recommendation processing means (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs lane recommendation processing, and at the highest vehicle speed of each lane based on the relative speed or the like. The fastest lane, which is the lane that can be driven, is selected as the recommended lane and recommended. When a recommended lane is recommended, the display processing unit forms a recommended lane display area on the map screen and displays the recommended lane in the recommended lane display area.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the lane recommendation processing means in the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a first explanatory diagram showing the operation of the lane recommendation processing means in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a third explanatory diagram showing the operation of the lane recommendation processing means in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a second display example of the map screen in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a diagram of the map screen in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

  3 to 5, c1 is a guidance intersection, r1 and r2 are roads on a searched route intersecting at the guidance intersection c1, h1 and h2 are center lines of the roads r1 and r2, and k1 to k3 are driving lanes of the road r1. Lanes, k4 to k6 are lanes on the opposite lane side of the road r1, m1 to m3 are lanes on the lane side of the road r2, m4 to m6 are lanes on the opposite lane side of the road r2, and wi (i = 1, 2) ,...) Are vehicles. In this case, the vehicle w1 is the own vehicle, and the vehicles w2, w3, ... are other vehicles. 3 and 4, route guidance is not performed in units of lanes. In FIG. 5, a search route that travels on the road r1, turns right at the guidance intersection c1, and travels on the road r2 is searched. Route guidance is performed in units of lanes according to the searched route.

  First, a lane recommendation condition establishment determination processing unit of the lane recommendation processing unit performs a lane recommendation condition establishment determination process, and determines whether the first lane recommendation condition is established according to whether matching processing is performed. To do. When the first lane recommendation condition is satisfied and the matching process is performed, the lane recommendation condition establishment determination processing means reads the current location and also reads the lane k2 as the traveling lane, and the second lane recommendation condition is established. It is determined whether or not a driving lane is detected.

  When the second lane recommendation condition is satisfied and the traveling lane is detected, the vehicles w2 to w4 are read as preceding vehicles, and the lane recommendation condition establishment determination processing means satisfies the third lane recommendation condition. Is determined by whether or not a preceding vehicle is detected. In the present embodiment, the front monitoring device 48 is a vehicle w2 that is closest to the vehicle w1 on the lane k2 and the lanes k1 and k3 that are adjacent lanes among the vehicles w2, w3,. Vehicles w3 and w4 closest to w1 are detected as preceding vehicles. Since vehicles w5, w6,... Other than the vehicles w2 to w4 are shaded by the vehicles w2 to w4, they cannot be detected by the front monitoring device 48.

  When the third lane recommendation condition is satisfied and the preceding vehicle is detected, the relative speed acquisition processing unit of the lane recommendation processing unit performs a relative speed acquisition process, and the vehicle w1 detected by the vehicle speed sensor 44 is detected. The relative speed δv1 between the vehicles w1 and w3 and the relative speed δv2 between the vehicles w1 and w4 detected by the front monitoring device 48 are read.

If the vehicle speeds of the vehicles w3 and w4 are v2 and v3, the vehicle speeds v2 and v3 are
v2 = v1 + δv1
v3 = v1 + δv2
become.

  Incidentally, since the forward monitoring device 48 has a limited detection area, it cannot reliably obtain necessary information about the preceding vehicle wi, and the driver determines in which lane the vehicle should be driven. I can't.

  Therefore, the road feature acquisition processing means of the lane recommendation processing means performs road feature acquisition processing, reads road data and intersection data from the data recording unit 16, and acquires characteristics in front of the vehicle w1 that is the vehicle of the road r1. To do. In the present embodiment, since the lane k1 is a left-turn exclusive lane in front of the vehicle w1 on the road r1, the road feature acquisition processing unit acquires the characteristic that the lane k1 becomes a left-turn exclusive lane. In addition to the fact that the predetermined lane becomes a left turn exclusive lane, the road feature acquisition processing means that the predetermined lane becomes a right turn exclusive lane, the presence or absence of an intersection, the presence or absence of a junction, and the number of lanes are reduced. Information that affects the flow of the vehicle, such as the presence or absence of a lane reduction point, is acquired as a feature.

  Next, the traffic jam information acquisition processing means of the lane recommendation processing means performs traffic jam information acquisition processing and reads traffic jam information representing the actual flow of the vehicle wi in front of the vehicle w1 on the road r1.

  Subsequently, the route guidance determination processing means of the lane recommendation processing means performs route guidance determination processing to determine whether or not route guidance is performed for each lane.

  By the way, when the route guidance process is not performed, and when the route guidance process is performed but the route guidance is not performed for each lane, the recommended lane is recommended by the following method.

That is, the lane selection processing means of the lane recommendation processing means performs lane selection processing, reads the characteristics of the road r1 in front of the vehicle w1, the relative speeds δv1, δv2 and traffic jam information, and the characteristics of the road r1 in front of the vehicle w1. The fastest lane is calculated based on the relative speeds δv1, δv2 and the traffic jam information, and the fastest lane is selected as the recommended lane and recommended. In this case, the relative speeds δv1 and δv2 are
δv1>δv2> 0
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle speed v2 of the vehicle w3 is higher than the vehicle speed v3 of the vehicle w4, the vehicle speed v3 of the vehicle w4 is higher than the vehicle speed v1 of the vehicle w1,
v2>v3> v1
become.

  Therefore, if only the relative speeds δv1 and δv2 are determined, the traveling lane k1 is the fastest lane, but as described above, the fact that the lane k1 becomes the left turn exclusive lane is a characteristic in front of the vehicle w1 on the road r1, In addition, since traffic congestion has occurred in the lane k1 due to the vehicles w7 to w10, as shown in FIG. 4, the lane k3 having the next highest vehicle speed after the lane k1 is set as the fastest lane.

  In this embodiment, the relative speeds δv1 and δv2 of the vehicles w3 and w4 with respect to the vehicle w1 are read and the vehicle speeds v2 and v3 are compared. In other embodiments, the vehicle w2 with respect to the vehicle w1 is compared. It is also possible to read the relative speeds δv0, δv1, and δv2 of ˜w4 and calculate the fastest lane based on the relative speeds δv0, δv1, δv2, and traffic jam information.

In that case, the vehicle speed v0 of the vehicle w2
v0 = v1 + δv0
Is the standard.

  In the present embodiment, in the lane selection process, the fastest lane is calculated based on the relative speeds δv1, δv2, the characteristics of the road r1 in front of the vehicle w1 and the traffic jam information. For each k1 to k3, calculate the fastest lane by adding the relative speeds δv1 and δv2 and the cost set based on the characteristics of the road r1 in front of the vehicle w1 and the traffic jam information and comparing the total lane costs. You can also.

  In this way, when the fastest lane is selected and recommended, the display processing means forms a recommended lane display area AR1 at a predetermined location on the map screen as shown in FIG. A recommended lane is displayed in the area AR1.

  In FIG. 6, w1 is a vehicle, r1 is a road, and d1 to d3 are intersections. In the recommended lane display area AR1, the traveling direction at the intersection d1 for the lanes k1 to k3 is displayed with an arrow. The arrow of the recommended lane (lane k3 in FIG. 6) among the lanes k1 to k3 is highlighted and displayed in a different color from the other arrows. Moreover, it is possible not to display an arrow for lanes other than the recommended lane.

  In this case, every time the vehicle w1 passes the intersections d1 to d3, the recommended lane display area AR1 is formed on the map screen, and the recommended lane is displayed in the recommended lane display area AR1. In the embodiment, the recommended lane can be displayed by forming the recommended lane display area AR1 on the map screen every time a certain time elapses.

  In the present embodiment, every time the vehicle w1 passes through the intersections d1 to d3, the recommended lane display area AR1 is formed on the map screen. However, as shown in FIG. The recommended lane display areas AR2 to AR4 can be formed for the intersections d1 to d3, respectively, and the recommended lanes when traveling in front of the intersections d1 to d3 can be displayed in the respective recommended lane display areas AR2 to AR4.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, when route guidance processing is performed and route guidance is performed in units of lanes, recommended lanes are recommended by the following method.

  That is, the traveling direction determination processing means of the lane recommendation processing means performs the traveling direction determination processing, and there is a guidance intersection c1 within a predetermined distance from the current location, for example, 1 [km], and the route guidance for turning right and left. Determine whether or not. When the left / right turn route guidance is performed within the range of 1 [km], the lane selection processing means performs the relative speeds δv1, δv2, characteristics of the road r1 ahead of the vehicle w1, traffic jam information, and route guidance. The fastest lane is calculated based on the relative speeds δv1, δv2, the characteristics ahead of the vehicle w1 on the road r1, the traffic jam information, and the travel direction in the route guidance, and the fastest lane is selected as the recommended lane. To do.

In this case, the relative speeds δv1 and δv2 are temporarily
δv1 = δv2 = 0
The vehicle speeds v1 to v3 of the vehicles w1 to w3 are equal,
v1 = v2 = v3
become. At this time, if only the relative speeds δv1 and δv2 are judged, the driving lanes k1 to k3 are all the fastest lanes, but the fact that the lane k1 becomes the left turn exclusive lane is a feature in front of the vehicle w1 on the road r1, and In lane k1, traffic congestion has occurred due to vehicles w7 to w9, so lanes k2 and k3 are the fastest lanes.

  Subsequently, the lane selection processing means identifies lanes k2 and k3 as recommended lanes. In this case, there is a guidance intersection c1, and the traveling direction in the route guidance is a right turn. Therefore, the lane selection processing means makes the lane k3 the fastest lane as shown in FIG.

  In this way, when the fastest lane is selected and recommended, the display processing means recommends the intersections d1 and d2 and the guidance intersection c1 at predetermined locations on the map screen as shown in FIG. Lane display areas AR5 to AR7 are formed, and recommended lanes are displayed in the recommended lane display areas AR5 to AR7.

  Thus, the fastest lane is the recommended lane based on the relative speeds δv1 and δv2 and information such as the characteristics of the road r1 ahead of the vehicle w1, the traffic jam information, the traveling direction in the route guidance, etc. outside the detection area of the forward monitoring device 48. Therefore, it is possible to reliably acquire information necessary for selecting a driving lane, and the driver can determine in which lane the vehicle should be driven. Therefore, the vehicle can run smoothly.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S1: It is determined whether matching processing is performed. If matching processing is being performed, the process proceeds to step S2, and if not, the process returns to step S1.
Step S2 Read the current location of the vehicle.
Step S3 The travel lane is read.
Step S4: Determine whether a travel lane has been detected. If a traveling lane is detected, the process proceeds to step S5, and if not detected, the process returns to step S3.
Step S5 Read the preceding vehicles w2 to w4.
Step S6: It is determined whether or not the preceding vehicles w2 to w4 are detected. If the preceding vehicles w2 to w4 are detected, the process proceeds to step S7, and if not detected, the process proceeds to step S9.
Step S7 Read the relative speeds δv1, δv2.
Step S8: A feature in front of the vehicle w1 on the road r1 is extracted.
Step S9: Congestion information is read.
Step S10: It is determined whether route guidance is performed for each lane. If route guidance is being performed on a lane basis, the process proceeds to step S11. If not, the process proceeds to step S13.
Step S11: It is determined whether or not route guidance for a left / right turn is performed within a range of 1 [km]. If route guidance for a left / right turn is performed within the range of 1 [km], the process proceeds to step S12.
Step S12: The target of the recommended lane is specified.
Step S13: The recommended lane is recommended and the process is terminated.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the recommended lane display areas AR1 to AR7 are formed and the recommended lanes are displayed in the recommended lane display areas AR1 to AR7. The driver can be notified of the recommended lane. In addition to displaying recommended lanes in the recommended lane display areas AR1 to AR7, the guidance processing means can output audio.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change variously based on the meaning of this invention, and does not exclude them from the scope of the present invention.

It is a block diagram which shows the navigation system in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the lane recommendation process means in embodiment of this invention. It is the 1st explanatory view showing operation of a lane recommendation processing means in an embodiment of the invention. It is the 2nd explanatory view showing operation of lane recommendation processing means in an embodiment of the invention. It is a 3rd explanatory view which shows operation | movement of the lane recommendation process means in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of a display of the map screen in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of a display of the map screen in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 3rd example of a display of the map screen in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Automatic transmission control part 14 Navigation apparatus 15 GPS sensor 31 CPU
48 Forward monitoring device 51 Information center 63 Network wi Vehicle

Claims (4)

  A current position detection unit for detecting the current position of the vehicle, basic information acquisition processing means for acquiring map data, a forward monitoring device for detecting a preceding vehicle for each lane and detecting a relative speed between each preceding vehicle and the own vehicle And a lane selection processing means for selecting a recommended lane based on the characteristics of the road ahead of the vehicle acquired based on the map data and the relative speed.   The information providing system according to claim 1, further comprising display processing means for forming a recommended lane display area on a map screen and displaying the recommended lane in the recommended lane display area.   2. The guide processing means for guiding a route in units of lanes, and the lane selection processing means selects a recommended lane based on characteristics of the road ahead of the vehicle, relative speed, and route guidance. Information provision system. Detecting the current location of the host vehicle, acquiring map data, detecting preceding vehicles for each lane, and detecting the relative speed between each preceding vehicle and the host vehicle. A method for providing information, comprising: selecting a recommended lane based on a characteristic in front of the host vehicle and the relative speed.

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