JP2007086087A - Information display system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information display system for obtaining information on traffic congestion-predicted routes before driving a car to enable comfortable travel. <P>SOLUTION: This system comprises a route search processing means 92 for searching routes from place of departure to destination, a predicted private car position calculation processing means for calculating predicted private car position on the searched route, and a display processing means 94 for displaying both the above searched route and scale indicating time on display section. If the time displayed on the scale is selected, the display processing means 94 displays the above predicted private car position at the selected time on the above searched route. When the scale indicating time together with the searched route are displayed and then the time displayed on the above scale is selected, the above predicted private car position at the selected time is displayed. Thus the information on traffic congestion-predicted routes can be obtained before driving the car. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information display system.

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

  When the driver inputs a destination and sets search conditions, a route from the current position to the destination is searched based on the search conditions. The searched route, that is, the searched route is displayed as a plurality of route candidates on the search result display screen formed on the display unit, and then the driver selects a predetermined one of the route candidates. When a route is selected, the selected route (hereinafter referred to as “selected route”) is displayed together with the current location and the destination on the selected route display screen formed on the display unit.

  Next, the selected route is determined as a searched route by an operation by the driver or automatically, and the searched route is displayed on the map screen. Therefore, the driver can drive the vehicle according to the displayed search route.

By the way, since the selected route, the current location, and the destination are displayed on the selected route display screen, it is possible to know which passing point can be used to reach the destination, but it arrives at each passing point on the searched route. I can't know how long it will take to do. Therefore, calculate the time every time the travel time set in advance from the departure point, calculate the passing point at each time, pass through the selected route display screen, and the time passing through the passing point, that is, The passage time is displayed (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-207686 A

  However, in the conventional navigation device, for example, even if it is predicted that a traffic jam will occur on the searched route, the passing time of each passing point is calculated and displayed without considering the traffic jam. Therefore, the displayed passage time does not match the passage time when actually traveling. In addition, for example, by changing the departure time or selecting another route based on the passage time displayed on the selected route display screen, it is not possible to avoid traffic congestion and to travel comfortably.

  The present invention solves the problems of the conventional navigation device and provides an information display system that can obtain information related to a route in which traffic congestion is taken into consideration before the vehicle is driven, and can travel comfortably. The purpose is to do.

  Therefore, in the information display system of the present invention, route search processing means for searching for a route from the departure place to the destination, predicted vehicle position calculation processing means for calculating the predicted vehicle position on the searched route, Display processing means for displaying a scale representing the time together with the searched route on a display unit.

  Then, when the displayed time on the scale is selected, the display processing means displays the predicted vehicle position at the selected time on the searched route.

  According to the present invention, a scale representing time along with the searched route is displayed on the display unit, and when the time on the displayed scale is selected, the predicted vehicle position at the selected time is displayed. Therefore, it is possible to obtain information regarding a route in which traffic congestion is taken into consideration before the vehicle is driven. Further, for example, by changing the departure time or selecting another route based on the predicted vehicle position, it is possible to avoid a traffic jam and to travel comfortably.

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

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an information display system in an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, 91 is a traffic information acquisition processing means as an information acquisition processing means for acquiring traffic information, 92 is a route search processing means for searching for a route from the departure point to the destination, and 93 is a traffic jam on the searched route. The traffic jam prediction information calculation processing means 94 for calculating the traffic jam prediction information based on the information, the route representing the route, and the route evaluation information calculated based on the traffic jam prediction information on the display unit 35 (FIG. 2). Display processing means for displaying.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a navigation system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 14 denotes an information terminal, for example, a navigation device as an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle. The navigation device 14 includes a GPS sensor 15 as a current location detection unit for detecting the current location, map data, road data, A data recording unit 16 as an information recording unit in which navigation information such as search data is recorded, functions as a computer based on various programs, data, etc., and various arithmetic processes such as navigation processing based on the input information A navigation processing unit 17 that performs the operation, a direction sensor 18 that functions as a direction detection unit that detects the direction of the host vehicle, and an operation unit 34 that functions as a first input unit that is operated by a driver as an operator. A first output unit for performing various displays using images displayed on a screen (not shown) and notifying the driver Display unit 35, a voice input unit 36 as a second input unit for performing predetermined input by voice, and a second output unit for performing various displays by voice and notifying the driver The navigation processing unit 17 includes an operation unit 34, a display unit 35, an audio input unit 36, an audio output unit 37, and a communication unit 38. Connected. The navigation processor 17 is also connected with a vehicle speed sensor 41 as a vehicle speed detector.

  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.

  Note that a distance sensor, a steering sensor, an altimeter, or the like can be used alone or in combination as the current location detection unit instead of the GPS sensor 15. The distance sensor detects a distance between predetermined points on the road, and calculates a distance based on a rotational speed of a wheel (not shown) or by integrating acceleration twice. The steering sensor detects a rudder angle, for example, an optical rotation sensor attached to a rotating part of a steering wheel (not shown), a rotation resistance sensor, an angle sensor attached to a wheel, etc. Can be used.

  A gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, or the like can be used as the direction sensor 18. As the gyro sensor, for example, a gas rate gyro, a vibration gyro, or the like is used, and the vehicle direction is detected by integrating the turning angle. The geomagnetic sensor detects the direction of the vehicle by measuring geomagnetism.

  The data recording unit 16 includes a database including data files such as a map data file, an intersection data file, a node data file, a road data file, a search data file, and a facility information data file, and each data file includes a display unit. Data for outputting various images is recorded in 35. The data recording unit 16 also records data for outputting predetermined information by the audio output unit 37.

  For example, the map data file contains map data for displaying a map, the intersection data file contains intersection data related to each intersection, the node data file contains node data related to node points, and the road data file contains road data related to roads. The search data file stores search data for searching for a route, and the facility information data file stores facility information data related to various facilities. The intersection data, node data, road data, search data, etc. Road condition data representing the road condition is constructed. The node data includes data indicating actual road branch points (including intersections, T-junctions, etc.), node points, and inter-node point links that connect the node points.

  And, according to the road data, the width of the road itself, the slope (gradient), the cant, the bank, the road surface state, the number of lanes of the road, the location where the number of lanes decreases, the location where the width becomes narrow, etc. Radius of curvature, intersection, T-junction, corner entrance, etc., road attributes, downhill roads, uphill roads, etc., road types, national roads, prefectural roads, narrow streets, and other highways, urban highways Expresses highways and toll roads such as toll roads. Further, the road data represents a railroad crossing, a highway entrance and exit road (rampway), a highway / toll road tollgate, and the like.

  The facility information data represents facility information of facilities such as hotels, gas stations, parking lots, sightseeing spots, department stores, etc. in each region.

  The navigation processing unit 17 includes an arithmetic device that controls the entire navigation device 14 and a CPU 31 as a control device, and a DRAM as a first recording medium used as a working memory when the CPU 31 performs various arithmetic processes. In addition to RAM 32 such as SRAM, MRAM, and FeRAM, and a control program, a ROM 33 is provided as a second recording medium on which various programs for searching for a route to a destination, route guidance, and the like are recorded. .

  A semiconductor memory, a magnetic core, or the like is used as an internal storage device such as the RAM 32 and the ROM 33. In addition to the RAM 32, the ROM 33, and the like, a flash memory (not shown) as a third recording medium can be disposed in the navigation processing unit 17. An MPU or the like can be used instead of the CPU 31.

  The data recording unit 16 includes a magnetic disk such as a hard disk (not shown) or a flexible disk as a fourth recording medium arranged as an external storage device for recording the various data. A head such as a read / write head (not shown) for reading and writing the data is provided. Similarly, the data recording unit 16 includes a magnetic tape, a magnetic drum, a CD, an MD, a DVD, an optical disk, an MO, an IC card, an optical card, and the like as a fifth recording medium arranged as an external storage device. It can also be set up.

  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 in an external storage device such as a hard disk. In this case, for example, the navigation memory 17 can be provided with the flash memory, and the program, data, etc. can be read from the hard disk or the like and written to the flash memory. Therefore, the program, data, etc. can be updated by exchanging the hard disk or the like. Further, when an automatic transmission control device is mounted to control an automatic transmission (not shown) mounted on the vehicle, the control program, data, etc. for the automatic transmission control device are also stored in the hard disk or the like. Can be recorded. Further, the program, data, etc. can be received via the communication unit 38 and written to the flash memory.

  The operation unit 34 is operated by the driver to correct the current location at the start of traveling, input a departure point and destination, input a passing point, and operate the communication unit 38. A keyboard, a mouse, a barcode reader, a light pen, a remote control device for remote control, a joystick, etc., which are arranged 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. Can do.

  The display unit 35 may be a display such as a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, or a plasma display, or may be a hologram device that projects a hologram on the windshield of a vehicle. And on the screen formed in the display unit 35, the current location, map, search route, guidance information along the search route, traffic information, etc. are displayed, characteristic photographs at the intersection or the search route, frame diagrams, etc. In addition to displaying the distance to the next intersection and the direction of travel at the next intersection, the operation guidance, operation menu, and key guidance for the image operation unit, operation unit 34, voice input unit 36, etc. are displayed. Or FM multiplex broadcast programs or the like can be displayed.

  The voice input unit 36 includes a microphone (not shown) and the like, and can input necessary information by voice. Furthermore, the voice output unit 37 includes a voice synthesizer and a speaker (not shown), and the search route, guidance information, traffic jam information, and the like are output from the voice output unit 37 as, for example, voice synthesized by the voice synthesizer. . In addition to the voice synthesized by the voice synthesizer, various sounds, various guidance information recorded in advance on a tape, a memory, and the like can be output.

  The communication unit 38 arranges various types of information transmitted from a road traffic information center such as a VICS (registered trademark: Vehicle Information and Communication System) center (not shown) as a first information provider along the road. A beacon receiver (not shown) for receiving as a radio beacon, an optical beacon, etc. via a radio beacon device, an optical beacon device, etc., an FM receiver (not shown) for receiving as an FM multiplex broadcast via an FM broadcast station, etc. Prepare. And, the beacon receiver receives traffic information such as traffic jam information, regulation information, parking lot information, traffic accident information, service area congestion status information, etc. In addition to the traffic information, news, General information such as weather forecasts can be received as FM multiplexed information. The beacon receiver and the FM receiver are unitized and arranged as a VICS receiver, but can be arranged separately.

  The communication unit 38 can also receive various data such as D-GPS information for detecting a detection error of the GPS sensor 15 transmitted from a predetermined base station. Further, the communication unit 38 can receive position information by radio wave beacons, optical beacons, and the like to detect the current location. In this case, the beacon receiver functions as a current location detection unit.

  Furthermore, the communication part 38 can also receive various information such as traffic information and general information from the information center 51 as the second information provider. For this purpose, the communication unit 38 and the information center 51 are connected via a network 43.

  A navigation system is configured by the navigation device 14, the information center 51, the network 43, and the like, and transmission / reception is performed between the communication unit 38 and a communication unit (not shown) of the information center 51.

  In the present embodiment, in order for the communication unit 38 to function as a communication terminal, a communication device is integrally provided in the communication unit 38. However, a communication device is provided separately from the communication unit 38. It is also possible to connect the communication device and the communication unit 38. In that case, as a communication device, a mobile phone such as a mobile phone, a car phone, or a PHS, a wireless LAN card, or the like is used, a personal computer, a portable computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), an electronic notebook, a video phone. A game machine or the like having a communication function can be used.

  The network 43 includes a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), an intranet, a cellular phone line network, a telephone line network, a public communication line network, a dedicated communication line network, a communication line network such as the Internet, etc. The communication means can be used. Communication means using CS broadcasting, BS broadcasting, terrestrial digital television broadcasting, FM multiplex broadcasting, etc. by a broadcasting satellite can also be used. Furthermore, it is possible to use communication means such as a non-stop automatic toll payment system (ETC) and a boundary communication system (DSRC) that are used in an intelligent road traffic system (ITS).

  The information center 51 may be operated by any one of an individual, a company, an organization, a local government, a government-related organization, or the like, and may be operated by the VICS (registered trademark) center.

  The information center 51 includes a server 53, the communication unit, and the like. The server 53 performs bidirectional communication between the information center 51 and the navigation device 14, and provides various types of information. For this purpose, the server 53 includes a CPU 54, a RAM 55, a ROM 56, and the like as an arithmetic device and a control device, and functions as a computer based on predetermined programs, data, and the like. The server 53 and the navigation processing unit 17 can also constitute a computer.

  Further, a database (DB) 57 as an information recording unit is connected to the server 53, and data similar to various data recorded in the data recording unit 16 can be recorded in the database 57.

  Then, the CPU 54 receives traffic information, general information, etc. transmitted from the VICS (registered trademark) center, etc., and records it in the database 57 as primary information, or processes the primary information to perform statistical processing, Statistical data constituting history information indicating the history of the traffic jam status, traffic jam prediction information for predicting the traffic jam status, and the like are created, and the statistical data is recorded in the database 57 as secondary information. In the present embodiment, in creating the statistical data, the history information includes detailed conditions such as date and time, day of the week, weather, various events, seasons, facility information (whether a large facility such as a department store or a supermarket). Added.

  Next, the basic operation of the navigation system having the above configuration 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 navigation initialization processing, and the current location and direction detected by the GPS sensor 15. While reading the direction of the vehicle detected by the sensor 18, various data are initialized.

  Subsequently, a navigation information acquisition processing unit (not shown) as a first information acquisition processing unit of the CPU 31 performs a navigation information acquisition process as a first information acquisition process, and navigation devices such as map data, road data, search data, etc. The 14 basic information, that is, the navigation information is read from the data recording unit 16 and acquired or received from the information center 51 through the communication unit 38 and acquired. When acquiring from the information center 51, the navigation information acquisition processing means downloads the received navigation information to a flash memory, a hard disk or the like. A program can also be acquired when the navigation information is acquired via the communication unit 38.

  The display processing means 94 (FIG. 1) of the CPU 31 performs display processing, forms a map screen on the display unit 35, displays a map around the current location on the map screen according to the map data, The current location is displayed together with the direction of the vehicle. Therefore, the driver can drive the vehicle according to the displayed map and the current location.

  Further, the navigation device 14 or the navigation system can be used for route search. In this case, 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. When the destination is set, the route search processing unit 92 of the CPU 31 or the CPU 54 performs route search processing, reads the current location, the destination, the search data, etc., and displays the current location based on the search data. The route from the starting point to the destination is searched, and route data representing the searched route is output.

  In addition, a guidance processing means (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs guidance processing to guide the driver on the searched route. For this purpose, the guidance processing means sends a guidance command to the display processing means 94, and the display processing means 94 reads the route data according to the guidance command and displays the searched route on the map screen according to the route data.

  When the route search process is performed in the information center 51, the transmission processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 54 performs the transmission process, transmits the route data representing the searched route to the navigation device 14, and obtains the second information of the CPU 31. Route information acquisition processing means (not shown) as processing means performs route information acquisition processing as second information acquisition processing, and receives and acquires the route data. Subsequently, the guidance processing means sends a guidance command to the display processing means 94, and the display processing means 94 similarly reads the route data in accordance with the guidance command and displays the searched route on the map screen according to the route data. To do.

  The guidance processing means sends a guidance command to a voice output processing means (not shown) of the CPU 31, and the voice output processing means performs voice output processing according to the guidance command, and outputs the search route from the voice output unit 37 by voice.

  In this way, the search route is guided, and the driver can drive the vehicle according to the guided search route.

  The navigation device 14 can receive various information such as traffic information and general information via the communication unit 38. For this purpose, additional information acquisition processing means (not shown) as third information acquisition processing means of the CPU 31 performs additional information acquisition processing as third information acquisition processing, and receives the traffic information, general information, etc. as additional information. And get. Therefore, the display processing means 94 can display a traffic jam condition or the like on the map screen.

  By the way, the traffic information includes information type data indicating the type of information, secondary mesh X and Y data for specifying a secondary mesh as a mesh, and a road link connecting two points (for example, intersections). Link number data that identifies and identifies whether it is up / down, and link information that represents the content of information provided in association with the link number data. The link information is, for example, from the start point of the road link. Consists of traffic jam head data that represents the distance to the head of the traffic jam, traffic jam degree data that represents the degree of traffic jam, traffic jam length data that represents the traffic jam section from the head of the traffic jam to the tail of the traffic jam, and the like.

  Accordingly, the display processing means 94 converts each link information in the traffic information into, for example, a traffic jam arrow as a traffic condition index indicating a traffic congestion index indicating whether the traffic is congested or not. The traffic congestion arrow is displayed along the road on the map screen. In this case, the color of the road, the traffic jam arrow, etc. is changed to red, orange, etc. according to the degree of traffic jam.

  In this way, the driver can know the traffic jam situation on the road, the search route, etc. on which the vehicle is to travel.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, the navigation system is used as an information display system, and the search route is set as a plurality of route candidates, and a traffic jam situation for a predetermined route candidate is predicted. Yes.

  Next, the operation of the information display system for predicting and displaying the traffic situation will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information display system in the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the first setting screen in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a second setting screen, FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search result display screen according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a selection route according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a first diagram showing an example of a selected route display screen in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a second diagram showing an example of a selected route display screen in the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, when the operation unit 34 (FIG. 2) is operated by the driver and the navigation device 14 is activated, the current position is detected by the GPS sensor 15, and then the navigation initialization processing means is detected by the GPS sensor 15. The current location and the vehicle direction detected by the direction sensor 18 are read, and various data are initialized.

  Next, the navigation information acquisition processing unit reads and acquires navigation information from the data recording unit 16, and the display processing unit 94 (FIG. 1) forms a map screen on the display unit 35, and the map screen In addition, a map around the current location is displayed according to the map data in the navigation information, and the current location is displayed together with the vehicle direction.

  When the driver tries to acquire a search route to a predetermined destination and operates the operation unit 34 and clicks (or touches) a predetermined destination setting key, the display processing means 94 is displayed on the display unit 35. A first setting screen as shown in FIG. 4 is formed, and on the first setting screen, “Specify a departure location. [Select departure location]” and “Select destination”. In addition to displaying a message, a keyword search area AR1 for inputting a departure place, a keyword search area AR2 for inputting a destination, search keys k1, k2, a decision key k3, and the like are displayed. When the driver clicks (or touches) the search keys k1 and k2 to perform a keyword search, for example, when “Okazaki IC” is input in the area AR1 and “Chunichi Building” is input in the area AR2, “ “Tomei Expressway Okazaki IC” is displayed, and “Chunichi Building” is displayed as the destination. Therefore, when the driver clicks the enter key k3, “Tomei Expressway Okazaki IC” is input as the departure point, and “Chunichi Building” is input as the destination. The destination setting processing means sets “Chunichi Building” as the destination. The departure location may be the current location detected by the GPS sensor 15. In this case, the driver does not need to input the departure place.

  Then, the display processing means 94 forms a second setting screen as shown in FIG. 5 on the display unit 35, and inputs a departure time zone in order to set a search condition on the second setting screen. The area AR3 is displayed. For example, in FIG. 5, a column for specifying a departure time zone is formed in the input area AR3 on the second setting screen, and a search start key k4 is formed, and the driver operates the display unit 35. The search can be started by specifying the departure time zone.

  For this purpose, when the “departure now” and “designate departure time zone” items are formed in the input area AR3 and the driver clicks “departure from now”, the search condition setting processing means (not shown) of the CPU 31 is: Perform search condition setting processing, set the current time as the departure time zone as the search condition, and when the driver clicks "Specify departure time zone", the search condition setting processing means is input by the driver The search condition is to set the departure time as the departure time zone. Note that search methods such as general road priority and expressway priority can be set as search conditions.

  Subsequently, when the driver clicks the search start key k4, transmission processing means (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs transmission processing, and transmits the departure point, destination, and search conditions to the information center 51.

  In the information center 51, the route information acquisition processing means is obtained by reading out search data from the database 57, and the route search processing means 92 reads the departure place, destination, search conditions, and search data. Based on the search data and in accordance with the search conditions, a route from the starting point to the destination is searched, and route data representing the searched route is output. In this case, the route search processing unit 92 selects a plurality of route candidates as the route is searched, in this embodiment, two route candidates, and the transmission processing unit of the CPU 54 Processing is performed, and route data of candidate routes is transmitted to the navigation device 14.

  Subsequently, in the navigation device 14, the display processing means 94 forms a search result display screen as shown in FIG. 6, and displays two route candidates on the search result display screen according to the route data. In addition, two route selection keys k5 and k6 are displayed corresponding to each candidate. In other words, on the search result display screen, “Tomei Okazaki IC” is the departure point, “Tomei Expressway” is traveled, “Nagoya IC” is traveled on “General road”, and “Chunichi Building” is the candidate 1 and “Tomei Okazaki IC” as the departure point, drive “Tomei Expressway”, “Nagoya IC” to “Tomei Osaka”, “Yuki IC” to “Nagoya Expressway”, ”On the“ general road ”and candidate 2 with“ Chunichi Building ”as the destination is displayed.

  When the driver selects a route by clicking one of the route selection keys k5 and k6, for example, the route selection key k5, the transmission processing means selects the selected route as selected route information representing the selected route. The flag is sent to the information center 51.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, the selected route is displayed on the display unit 35 and a selected route display screen is formed so that the driver can evaluate the selected route. In addition to displaying the starting point, the destination, and the selected route, route evaluation information for evaluating the selected route is displayed for the selected route.

  For this purpose, the traffic information acquisition processing means 91 as the fourth information acquisition processing means of the CPU 54 performs traffic information acquisition processing as the fourth information acquisition processing, and from the database 57, the current traffic congestion section and the degree of traffic congestion. It is obtained by reading out traffic information representing traffic conditions such as traffic statistics and statistical data representing the history of traffic conditions. The traffic jam prediction information calculation processing means 93 of the CPU 54 performs traffic jam prediction information calculation processing, reads navigation information from the database 57, reads the traffic information and statistical data, and provides the navigation information, traffic information, statistical data, etc. To calculate traffic jam prediction information.

  That is, first, the traffic jam prediction information calculation processing means 93 performs, for the selected route Rt1 shown in FIG. 7, a predetermined section ahead of the departure place Ps in the departure time zone, for example, a traffic jam location within the distance X, the traffic jam location. The traffic jam situation is predicted, and the predicted traffic jam situation is used as traffic jam forecast information.

  Subsequently, a passage time calculation processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 54 performs a passage time calculation process, and calculates a passage time t1 of a passage point T1 ahead by a distance X from the departure point Ps according to the navigation information, traffic jam prediction information, and the like. And predict. At this time, the number of road lanes, the width, etc., which cause traffic congestion or increase the degree of traffic congestion, are particularly considered.

  Next, the traffic jam prediction information calculation processing unit 93 calculates, as traffic jam prediction information, a predetermined section ahead of the passing point T1 at the passing time t1, for example, a traffic jam location within a distance X and a traffic jam situation at the traffic jam location. ,Predict. The passage time calculation processing means calculates and predicts a passage time t2 of a passage point T2 that is a distance X away from the passage point T1.

  In the present embodiment, each distance X to each passing point Ti (i = 1, 2,...) On the selected route Rt1 is made constant, but the distance is appropriately changed depending on the type of road or the like. be able to.

  In this way, the calculation of the traffic jam prediction information and the calculation of the passage time tj ((j = 1, 2,...) Are repeated, and virtual travel is performed on the selected route Rt1, and from the departure point Ps and each passing point Ti. It is possible to acquire traffic jam prediction information for a predetermined forward section, for example, a section within the distance X. Bk (k = 1, 2,...) Is a traffic jam location and a traffic jam section in the traffic jam prediction information. It is a mark to represent.

  Subsequently, when the destination Pg is reached, a travel time calculation processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 54 performs a travel time calculation process, and a required time predicted when the vehicle travels using the selected route Rt1 as a search route ( Travel time), that is, an estimated required time. Further, the travel time calculation processing means reads the required time during normal time, for example, the required time when the vehicle is driven without traffic jam from the database 57, and calculates the estimated required time and the normal required time. The required time difference is also calculated.

  Then, the predicted vehicle position calculation processing means (not shown) of the CPU 54 performs predicted vehicle position calculation processing, and the vehicle is predicted for each preset time interval based on the traffic jam prediction information and the passage time tj. The position, that is, the predicted own vehicle position is calculated.

  Subsequently, the transmission processing means of the CPU 54 displays departure time, estimated required time, required time in normal time, required time difference, predicted vehicle position for each time interval, and traffic jam prediction information corresponding to each predicted vehicle position. The data is transmitted to the navigation device 14 as data.

  In the navigation device 14, the display processing means 94 forms a selection route display screen as shown in FIG. 8, and the selection route Rt1, the departure place Ps, the purpose is displayed in the map area AR4 of the selection route display screen. In addition to displaying the ground Pg or the like as basic display information, the evaluation information area AR5 includes a departure time, an estimated required time, a required time in normal time (“(normal time)”), and a required time difference (“increase” or “decrease”). In addition, a scale indicating a time interval is displayed as route evaluation information for evaluating the selected route Rt1.

  In addition, the display processing unit 94 displays, in the map area AR4, a predicted host vehicle position Pv that changes at each time interval, and a mark Bk that represents a traffic jam location and a traffic jam section within a distance X ahead of the predicted host vehicle position Pv. And display as route evaluation information.

  When the time on the scale is clicked in the evaluation information area AR5, as shown in FIG. 9, the predicted vehicle position Pv at the time is displayed in the map area AR4, and the distance X ahead of the predicted vehicle position Pv is displayed. When it is predicted that a traffic jam will occur, the mark Bk is displayed over the selected route Rt1.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the traffic jam prediction information is calculated based on the traffic jam information on the selected route Rt1 and traffic jam is predicted to occur on the selected route Rt1, the selected route display screen is displayed. Since the mark Bk is displayed, it is possible to obtain information regarding a route in which traffic congestion is taken into consideration before the vehicle is driven. Further, by changing the departure time or selecting another route based on the route evaluation information displayed on the selected route display screen, it is possible to avoid a traffic jam and to travel comfortably.

  In the present embodiment, the mark Bk represents a traffic jam location and a traffic jam section, but the degree of traffic jam can also be represented by changing the thickness, color, etc. of the mark Bk.

  Further, since the estimated required time, the required time in the normal time, the required time difference, etc. are displayed as route evaluation information in the evaluation information area AR5, the departure time can be changed based on the estimated required time, the required time difference, etc. By selecting the route, you can avoid traffic jams and drive comfortably. Furthermore, since the scale representing the time interval and the predicted vehicle position Pv that changes at each time interval are displayed as route evaluation information, the departure time can be changed based on the predicted vehicle position Pv, By selecting a route, you can avoid traffic jams and drive comfortably.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S1: The present location is detected.
Step S2: Specify the destination Pg.
Step S3 The departure time zone is selected.
Step S4: The starting point Ps, the destination Pg and the starting time zone are transmitted.
Step S5: Search for a route.
Step S6: Route candidates are selected.
Step S7: Select a route.
Step S8: The selected route flag is transmitted.
Step S9: Congestion prediction information in the departure time zone within the distance X ahead of the departure place Ps is calculated.
Step S10 The passage time tj of the previous passage point Ti by the distance X is predicted.
Step S11: Congestion prediction information at the passage time tj is calculated.
Step S12: It is determined whether or not the destination Pg has been reached. If the destination Pg has been reached, the process proceeds to step S13. If not, the process returns to step S10.
Step S13: Calculate the estimated required time.
Step S14: The predicted vehicle position Pv, traffic jam prediction information, etc. for each set time interval are transmitted.
Step S15 The predicted required time, predicted host vehicle position Pv, traffic jam prediction information, etc. are displayed, and the process is terminated.

  In the present embodiment, the route information acquisition processing unit, the traffic jam information acquisition processing unit 91, the traffic jam prediction information calculation processing unit 93, the passage time calculation processing unit, the travel time calculation processing unit, the predicted host vehicle position calculation processing unit, etc. However, it can also be arranged in the CPU 31.

  In this embodiment, the navigation device 14 is used as an information terminal. In other embodiments, a mobile phone such as a mobile phone, a car phone, and a PHS is used as the information terminal. A personal computer, a portable computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), an electronic notebook, a videophone, a game machine, or the like having a communication function can be used.

  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 functional block diagram of the information display system in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the navigation system in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the information display system in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the 1st setting screen in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the 2nd setting screen in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the search result display screen in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the selection route | root in embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st figure which shows the example of the selection route display screen in embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd figure which shows the example of the selection route display screen in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

17 navigation processing unit 35 display unit 53 server 92 route search processing unit 94 display processing unit Ps departure place Pg destination

Claims (6)

  Route search processing means for searching for a route from the departure place to the destination, predicted vehicle position calculation processing means for calculating a predicted vehicle position on the searched route, and a scale representing time together with the searched route Display processing means for displaying on the display unit, and when the displayed time on the scale is selected, the display processing means searches for the predicted vehicle position at the selected time. An information display system characterized by being displayed above.   The information display system according to claim 1, wherein the predicted vehicle position calculation unit calculates a predicted vehicle position for each preset time interval, and the scale represents the time interval.   The information acquisition processing means for acquiring traffic jam information, and the traffic jam prediction information calculation processing means for calculating traffic jam prediction information based on the traffic jam information on the searched route, and the predicted vehicle position calculation processing means, The information display system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a predicted vehicle position on the searched route is calculated based on the calculated traffic jam prediction information.   The information display system according to claim 3, wherein the display processing unit displays the traffic jam prediction information at the selected time on the searched route.   The information display system according to claim 4, wherein the displayed traffic jam prediction information is a mark representing a traffic jam location within a predetermined distance ahead of the predicted host vehicle position.   Information acquisition processing means for acquiring traffic jam information, traffic congestion prediction information calculation processing means for calculating traffic jam prediction information based on the acquired traffic jam information, display processing means for displaying a scale representing a time together with a map on a display unit, When the time on the displayed scale is selected, the display processing unit displays the traffic jam prediction information at the selected time on the map.

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