JP2007113964A - Navigation apparatus and route guidance method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To select one guidance route from among a plurality of guidance routes without having to place a burden on users while respecting the users' intentions. <P>SOLUTION: A navigation apparatus includes a route computation means 10 for computing guidance routes from a current location of a user to a destination; a route travel load computation means 20 for computing a route travel load of each guidance route in the case that a plurality of guidance routes are computed; a load determination means 30 for determining whether the difference between route travel loads is less than a first preset prescribed value or not; and a route selection means 40 for selecting one guidance route on the basis of the user's selection command of selecting one guidance route from among selection candidates in the case that the difference between route travel loads is less than the first preset prescribed value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device and a route guidance method, and in particular, when there are a plurality of routes from a current location to a destination, a device and method for selecting a route that reflects the user's intention without increasing the operation burden on the user. About.

  There is a navigation device that automatically selects a route when there are a plurality of routes to the same destination. With regard to this type of device, roads used by users in the vicinity of registered sites are stored in advance, and predetermined recommended routes (recommended routes including roads frequently used by users in the vicinity of registered sites) are stored under predetermined conditions. A device to be presented (see Patent Document 1) is known.

  Further, there is a navigation device that allows a user to select a route when there are a plurality of routes to the same destination. With regard to this type of apparatus, an apparatus (see Patent Document 2) that displays a predetermined recommended route (a travel route that has traveled in the past) under a predetermined condition is also known. According to these conventional apparatuses, a predetermined route can be automatically presented under a predetermined condition.

However, in the apparatus of Patent Document 1, when there are a route A and a route B as a route from the current position to the destination, there is no significant difference in the traveling time of the routes A and B, and the situation can be selected based on other factors However, since the route is automatically selected, there is a problem that there is no room for reflecting the user's intention according to the situation. Further, in the apparatus of Patent Document 2, since the user's selection tendency is clear and the user is requested to make a determination even when the user's selection tendency is clear, such as the travel times of the routes A and B, the user is bothered. There was an inconvenience of giving.
JP 09-287972 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-082527

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and when there are a plurality of routes to the destination, the route reflecting the user's intention is selected without increasing the user's operation burden. With the goal.

  According to the present invention, when the guide route from the current position of the user or a future position where the user's movement is predicted to the destination is calculated and a plurality of guide routes are calculated, the route travel load of each guide route is calculated. When calculating, determining whether the calculated route travel load difference is less than a preset first predetermined value, and determining that the route travel load difference is less than a first predetermined value, Each guidance route related to the difference in route travel load is presented to the user as a selection candidate, receives a user's selection command for selecting one guidance route from the selection candidates, and receives a plurality of instructions based on the received user's selection command. There are provided a navigation device and a route guidance method for selecting one guide route from a guide route and presenting the selected guide route.

  In the present invention, the traveling load of each route is evaluated from a predetermined viewpoint, and the route is automatically selected according to the difference in the evaluation or the user's intention is accepted. It is possible to present a route reflecting the user's intention that changes accordingly.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a navigation device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. The navigation device 100 is mounted on a vehicle on which the user is boarded, calculates a guide route from the current user position or a future user position where the user's movement is predicted to a target, and selects an optimum route. Present the route to the user.

  FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the navigation device 100 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle has a vehicle position detection device 200 and a map database 300. In this example, these are provided in the navigation device 100. However, the navigation device 100 may be physically divided as long as it is connected so as to be communicable via a wired or wireless in-vehicle LAN and can exchange information.

  The navigation device 100 according to the present embodiment is characterized by a route determination method when a plurality of routes from the current point to the destination are calculated. The route search means 10, the route travel load calculation means 20, and the load determination means 30, route selection means 40, and presentation means 50. Specifically, by searching for a route, calculating a route traveling load, and storing a program (ROM) that stores a program for selecting a route based on the load, a program stored in the ROM or the like is executed. , Route search means 10, route travel load calculation means 20, load determination means 30, CPU (Central Processing Unit) functioning as route selection means 40, RAM (Random Access Memory) functioning as accessible storage means, etc. And. Hereinafter, each configuration shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

  The “own vehicle position detection device 200” detects the position of the host vehicle and the traveling direction of the host vehicle using a GPS function (Global Positioning System), autonomous navigation, and the like.

  The “map database 300” includes road information such as nodes and links, and stores electronic map data used for calculation of the guidance route so that the route search means 10 can access it.

  The “route search means 10” calculates a guide route from a current user position or a future user position where movement is predicted to a destination. The route search method is not particularly limited, and a method available at the time of filing can be used.

  The route calculation means 10 of this embodiment includes a determination point detection unit 11 and a timing determination unit 12. The determination point detection unit 11 of the present embodiment first detects the calculated branch points of a plurality of guidance routes. When a plurality of routes from the user's current point to the destination are detected, the plurality of routes branch at any branch point existing on the route from the current position to the destination. Since two or more guidance routes branch at one branch point, one branch point is detected when two routes are calculated, and n-1 or less when n routes are calculated. Detect branch point of. It is preferable that the information regarding each route is presented in front of the branch point (on the own vehicle side). The determination point detection unit 11 defines a timing suitable for selecting a route by the point. Specifically, the determination point detection unit 11 of the present embodiment uses, as the determination point, a predetermined point having a predetermined positional relationship with the branch point closest to the current position of the user among the calculated branch points of the plurality of guidance routes. To detect. Although the positional relationship between the branch point and the determination point is not particularly limited, a route selection process is performed between the determination point and the branch point, the selected route is presented to the user, and the user recognizes the presented route. It is preferable to define based on the time that can be. In defining the determination point, it is preferable to refer to the average vehicle traveling speed on the route (road) from the branch point to the determination point, traffic conditions, and the like. In this example, the determination point is a point that is 600 m away from the branch point in the direction of the current position of the host vehicle. The timing determination unit 12 of the present embodiment compares the determination point detected by the determination point detection unit 11 with the current position detected by the own vehicle position detection device 200, and determines the timing when the user passes the determination point. to decide. This timing is determined based on the route length (travel distance) from the current position of the user to the determination point and the average travel speed of the host vehicle. The timing may be determined based on an average speed considering traffic information such as VICS and other traffic information.

  The “route travel load calculating unit 20” calculates the route travel load of each guidance route for each of the plurality of routes calculated by the route calculation unit 10. The route travel load can be arbitrarily defined from the viewpoint of time load, mental load, labor load, monetary load, etc. required for the user to pass through the guidance route. In the first embodiment, the time required to pass through the guidance route is defined as the route travel load.

  The “load determination unit 30” calculates an absolute value of the difference between the route travel loads calculated by the route travel load calculation unit 20, and the calculated difference between the route travel loads is less than a preset first predetermined value. Judge whether there is. The first predetermined value can be defined as appropriate. Further, the load determination unit 30 of the present embodiment calculates the absolute value of the difference between the route travel loads calculated by the route travel load calculation unit 20, and the calculated second difference between the route travel loads is set in advance. It is determined whether or not the value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The second predetermined value can be defined as appropriate. The first predetermined value and the second predetermined value may be different values or the same value. In the present embodiment, the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value are set to the same value.

  The “route selection means 40” includes an option presentation command output unit 41, a selection command reception unit 42, and a designated route selection unit 43, and the load determination unit 30 has a difference in route travel load that is less than a first predetermined value. If it is determined, the guide route is selected based on the user's intention from a plurality of guide routes that branch at the branch point. This is because when the difference in route travel load such as the required travel time is small, the user is not only based on the size of the route travel load, but also on his / her own preference, user's own situation, user's own circumstances, etc. This is a process based on the viewpoint that there is a strong tendency to desire to select with. Specifically, the option presentation command output unit 41 sends to the presentation unit 50 a command for presenting each guidance route related to the route travel load, that is, a guidance route that branches at a branch point, as a selection candidate to the user. A display 50 as a presentation means presents a guidance route that branches at a branch point. The selection command receiving unit 42 receives a user's selection command via the input device 400 provided outside the apparatus. The selection command received from the user is a command for selecting a specific guide route from the presented selection candidates. The designated route selection unit 43 selects one guide route from a plurality of guide routes based on a user selection command input to the input device 400.

  Further, the “route selection means 40” has an automatic selection unit 44. When the load determination unit 30 determines that the difference in the route travel load is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value set in advance, the automatic selection unit 44 selects the route travel load from the plurality of guide routes that branch at the branch point. Automatically selects a guidance route that can be evaluated as having the smallest (a load can be evaluated as light). This is because when the difference in route travel load such as the required travel time is large, the user gives the highest priority to the route that can be evaluated as having a small route travel load, and the device automatically evaluates the route that can be evaluated as having the smallest route travel load for the user This processing is based on the viewpoint that there is a strong tendency to desire to select the target.

  It is preferable to define a criterion for evaluating that the route travel load is small in this process for each route travel load. In other words, pre-define whether to evaluate that the load in the route travel is small when the value of the route travel load is large, or to evaluate that the load in the route travel is small when the value of the route travel load is small. Is preferred. This is because the magnitude of the “value” of the route travel load does not necessarily coincide with the magnitude (light weight) of the load evaluated by the user.

  The “presentation means 50” presents information related to the route selected by the route selection means 40 to the user. The presenting means 50 of the present embodiment is a display that presents image information.

  The operation of the navigation device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the navigation device 100.

  First, the route search means 10 refers to the map information in the map database 300 based on the current position of the host vehicle acquired from the host vehicle position detection device 200 and the destination input from the user side, Alternatively, a guidance route from a future user position where movement is predicted to the destination is calculated (S1). It is determined whether there are a plurality of calculated guide routes (S2). The determination point detection unit 11 detects a predetermined point before a predetermined distance (current position side) as a determination point from a branch point closest to the current position among branch points where one route branches to a plurality of guidance routes. Moreover, the timing determination part 12 acquires the present position of the own vehicle continuously, and detects the timing at which the own vehicle P approaching the determination point passes the determination point (S3).

  At the timing of passing the determination point (Y in S3), the route travel load calculating means 20 calculates the route travel load of each guidance route (S4). The load determination means 30 calculates the absolute value of the difference between the route travel loads calculated in S4 (S5). The load determination means 30 determines whether or not the calculated difference in route travel load is less than a first predetermined value (S6). In this example, since the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value are the same value, it may be determined whether or not it is equal to or greater than the second predetermined value. When the load determining means 30 determines that the difference in the route travel load is less than the first predetermined value (Y in S6), the process proceeds to S7. The option presentation command output unit 41 of the route selection means 40 presents each guidance route related to the difference in route travel load less than the first predetermined value to the user as a selection candidate via the display 50 (S7). The selection command receiving unit 42 receives a selection command from a user input via the input device 400 (S8). The designated route selection unit 43 selects one guide route from the plurality of guide routes presented based on the received user selection command (S9). The presenting means 50 edits the guide information for guiding the guide route (S10) and presents the guide route information (S11).

  Returning to Step 6, when it is determined that the difference in the route travel load value is not less than the first predetermined value (greater than or equal to the second predetermined value) (N in S6), the automatic selection unit 44 calculates the difference in S5. The route that is evaluated as having the smallest travel route load is selected from the routes that have been selected (S12).

  Some users select the fastest route (with the shortest transit time) when there is no significant difference in the route travel load of each guidance route that branches, and some users select a road that is easy to drive even if it takes a little transit time. is there. Moreover, even if it is the same user, the guidance route which a user selects may differ according to the state of the user at that time, and the condition of the place. For example, when a user heads to a destination for a meeting that starts at a predetermined time, if there is no significant difference in the passage time between the route A and the route B, a little in order to arrive at the destination as soon as possible at the beginning of traveling. There is a tendency to select the fastest route even if it is difficult to drive, but if there is a certainty that the scheduled time will be met in the middle, there is a tendency to select a road that is easy to drive even if it takes a little time. Thus, in this embodiment, when there is no significant difference in the route travel load of each route, the user heading to the destination selects an individual specific route based on the user's experience, taste, mood, situation, etc. When the difference in the route travel load is less than a predetermined value, the user's intention is confirmed, and the guidance route is selected based on the confirmed user's intention. Also, in the present embodiment, when there is a significant difference in the route travel load of each route, the user heading to the destination is more likely to select a route that can be evaluated as having a low route travel load. If the difference in travel load is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the guide route is automatically selected based on the lightness of the route travel load without confirming the user's intention. According to the present embodiment, the user's intention is respected when the user makes an individual specific judgment, and the process is automatically performed on behalf of the user when the user makes a uniform judgment. Can do.

  This processing will be described using the route shown in FIG. 3 as an example. The route calculation means 10 calculates two routes from the current location to the destination while the user travels from the current location toward the destination. Although not particularly limited, in this example, two routes are calculated based on two different conditions of “the route with the shortest travel distance” and “the route with the fastest arrival time”. Two routes, the shortest (shortest) route and the next shortest route, may be calculated. Similarly, two routes of the fastest route and the next fastest route may be calculated. FIG. 3 schematically shows a current position, a destination, and a plurality of guidance routes from the current position to the destination, calculated by the route calculation means 10. As shown in FIG. 3, routes A and B exist as routes from the current position of the host vehicle to the destination, and the host vehicle P travels from the current position to a branch point through a determination point.

  The determination point detection unit 11 detects a branch point and a determination point where the calculated two routes branch in the route from the current position to the destination. It is determined whether the user is approaching this branch point. Specifically, the timing determination unit 12 determines the timing of passing through a determination point that has a predetermined positional relationship with the branch point.

  At the timing when the user passes the determination point, the route travel load calculating means 20 calculates the route travel load from the branch point of each guidance route to the destination. The route travel load in this example is the required time required for passing through each calculated guide route. The results are shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4A, the route travel load of route A is 30 minutes, and the route travel load of route B is 35 minutes. Here, the route travel load on the guidance route from the branch point to the destination is targeted, but the route travel load from the branch point to the next branch point or junction point may be used.

  The load determination unit 30 calculates the absolute value of the difference between the route travel load of the route A and the route travel load of the route B. In this example, | 30−35 | = 5. In this example, the first predetermined value is defined as 10 minutes. The relationship between the absolute value difference between the route travel loads of routes A and B and the first predetermined value is 5 <10. The load determination unit 30 determines that the difference in route travel load is less than the first predetermined value. Based on this determination, the route selection means 40 presents both the route A and the route B related to the difference in route travel load to the user as selection candidates. An example of this presentation is shown in FIG. Although not particularly limited, as shown in FIG. 4B, it is preferable to edit the route name and route travel load information of each route and present it in the map information. The user sees this presentation, determines which route A or B is to be selected, and inputs the selection command to the input device 400. The route selection means 40 receives a selection command from the user and selects a route based on the selection command.

  In this embodiment, when there is no significant difference in travel time (route travel load), the difference in route travel time from the viewpoint that the user desires a comprehensive route selection based on experience, taste, mood, situation, etc. Is less than a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes), the selection is made based on the user's selection command without automatically or uniformly selecting the route. Thereby, since a user's intention is confirmed only when there is no significant difference in travel time, a user's hope can be respected without bothering the user.

  Examples of other routes related to FIG. 3 are shown in FIGS. 5 (A) and 5 (B). As shown in FIG. 5A, when the route travel load of the route A is 30 minutes and the route travel load of the route B is 50 minutes, the load determination unit 30 determines that the route travel load of the route A and the route The absolute value of the difference from the route travel load of B is calculated. In this example, | 30-50 | = 20. In this example, the first predetermined value is defined as 10 minutes (may be defined as the second predetermined value). The relationship between the absolute value difference between the route travel loads of routes A and B and the first predetermined value is 20 ≧ 10. The load determination unit 30 determines that the difference in route travel load is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value. In this apparatus, when there is a difference of a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) or more in the required travel time that is the route travel load, the difference in the transit time of each route is obvious, and the user automatically performs the operation based on the travel route load. Guess you want to select a route. Based on this determination, the route selection means 40 automatically selects the route A that is evaluated to be smaller than the route travel load, and presents information about the route A to the user. An example of this presentation is shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, when there is a significant difference in travel time (route travel load), the user wants to automatically select either a route with a short travel time or a route with a long travel time. From this point of view, when the difference in route travel time is greater than or equal to a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes), the route is selected automatically or uniformly without waiting for the user's selection command. As a result, the route is automatically selected only when there is a significant difference in the required travel time, so the user's intention is not confirmed until the user's selection tendency is clear, and the user is bothered. Don't give.

Second Embodiment
A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The present embodiment is characterized in that the route travel load is the existence ratio of a road having a predetermined shape, and the route is selected by a method according to the difference in the existence ratio of the road having a predetermined shape. Except for the point that the content of the route travel load is different, it is common to the first embodiment. Here, different points will be mainly described in order to avoid redundant description.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the route calculation means 10 calculates a route C and a route D from the current location to the destination. The route C and the route D are routes including a road having a predetermined shape. The “predetermined shape road” in the present embodiment is a road (a part of the guide route) having a curve with a predetermined curvature or more. The “presence ratio of a road having a predetermined shape” is the length of a road having a predetermined shape with respect to the entire length of the guidance route. The method for calculating the “presence ratio of a road with a predetermined shape” is not particularly limited, but in this example, the value obtained by adding all the lengths of the curves of a predetermined curvature or more on the guidance route is divided by the total length of the route. It was supposed to be. For example, if the guide route includes a 3 km curve-shaped road, a 2 km straight road, and a further 5 km curve road, the value obtained by adding all the curve lengths on the guide route is (3 + 5) = 8 km, The total length of the guiding path is (3 + 2 + 5) = 10 km. Accordingly, the “curve (predetermined road) ratio” in this example is 8/10 = 0.8.

  At the timing when the user passes the judgment point (a position of 600 m in the current position direction along the route from the branch point), the route travel load calculating means 20 calculates the road of a predetermined shape from the branch point of each guidance route to the destination. Each existence ratio is calculated.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7A, the existence ratio of the predetermined curve of the path C is 0.8, and the existence ratio of the predetermined curve of the path D is 0.05. The load determination unit 30 calculates the absolute value of the difference between the existence ratio of the predetermined curve on the path C and the existence ratio of the predetermined curve on the path D. In this example, | 0.05−0.8 | = 0.75. In this example, the first predetermined value (which may be defined as the second predetermined value) is defined as 0.1. The relationship between the absolute value difference between the route travel loads of routes C and D and the first predetermined value is 0.75 ≧ 0.1. The load determination unit 30 determines that the difference in route travel load is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value. The route selection unit 40 evaluates the route D having a low existing ratio of the predetermined curve as a route having a low route travel load and automatically selects it. Here, the significance that the route travel load is small is preferably defined with reference to a user who uses the present apparatus. This is because the evaluation of the load related to traveling is not absolute and may vary depending on the user. For example, when driving a vehicle, some users feel that driving on a road with a lot of curves is better or more fun than driving on a road with few curves, and driving on a road with many hills is better than driving on a road with few hills. Some users feel good or fun. Therefore, when evaluating the level of the route travel load, it is preferable to set in advance for each user. Also, the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value are preferably set for each user in consideration of each user's preference or driving skill. The display 50 presents the edited map information including the name of the selected route D to the user as shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, when there is a significant difference in the existence ratio of a road having a predetermined shape, the user desires that a route having a low existence ratio of the road having a predetermined shape is automatically selected. When the difference in the existence ratio is equal to or greater than the predetermined ratio, the route is selected automatically or uniformly without waiting for the user's selection command. As a result, the route is automatically selected only when there is a significant difference in the existence ratio of the road having a predetermined shape. Therefore, the user's intention is not confirmed until the user's selection tendency is clear, and the user is not confirmed. Don't bother you.

  Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the route travel load may be a road presence ratio of a predetermined road type. The “road type” is a classification such as an expressway, a toll road, a national road, a prefectural road, or a narrow street. “Presence ratio of predetermined road type” is the length of a road belonging to a predetermined section with respect to the total length of the guidance route. The method for calculating the “presence ratio of a predetermined road type” is not particularly limited, but in this example, a value obtained by adding all the lengths of expressways or toll roads (predetermined road type) on the guidance route Divided by the length of. Hereinafter, the “existence ratio of a road having a predetermined shape” will be described as an example, but “existence ratio of a predetermined road type” can be applied instead of the “existence ratio of a road having a predetermined shape”. It is preferable that the content of the road type and the criterion of whether or not the route travel load is small are defined for each user. This is because when driving a vehicle, some users desire to drive on a road belonging to a road type such as an expressway, a toll road, and a national road, and some users desire to drive on a road belonging to a narrow street in an urban area. .

  In the example shown in FIG. 8A, the ratio of the predetermined curve of the path C is 0.8, and the ratio of the predetermined curve of the path D is 0.85. The load determination unit 30 calculates the absolute value of the difference between the existence ratio of the predetermined curve on the path C and the existence ratio of the predetermined curve on the path D. In this example, | 0.85-0.8 | = 0.05. In this example, the first predetermined value is defined as 0.1.

  The relationship between the absolute value difference between the route travel loads of routes C and D and the first predetermined value is 0.05 <0.1. The load determination unit 30 determines that the difference in route travel load is less than the first predetermined value. The route selection means 40 presents both the route C and the route D related to the difference in route travel load to the user as selection candidates. An example of this presentation is shown in FIG. Although not particularly limited, as shown in FIG. 8B, it is preferable to present information indicating the route name of each route and the surrounding area of each route. When the existence ratios of the curves of the route C and the route D are approximately the same, the user is expected to select the guide route based on the scenery, the presence / absence of traveling experience, and the like. Preferably presents road name, direction information, terrain information such as mountain or sea. The user sees this presentation, determines which route C or D is to be selected, and inputs the selection command to the input device 400. The route selection means 40 receives a selection command from the user and selects a route based on the selection command.

  In this embodiment, when there is no significant difference in the existence ratio (route travel load) of a road of a predetermined shape or the existence ratio of a road of a predetermined type, the user selects a comprehensive route based on experience, preference, mood, situation, etc. In the case where the difference in the route travel time is less than a predetermined ratio, the selection is made based on the user's selection command without automatically or uniformly selecting the route. Thereby, since the user's intention is confirmed only when there is no significant difference in the route travel load, the user's desire can be respected without bothering the user.

<Third Embodiment>
A third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. This embodiment is characterized in that the route travel load is an abundance ratio of a predetermined road shape, specifically, an abundance ratio of a slope having a predetermined slope or more, and a method according to a difference in the existence ratio of a slope having a predetermined slope or more. Select a route. Except for this point, the second embodiment is common. Here, different points will be mainly described in order to avoid redundant description.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the route calculation means 10 calculates a route E and a route F from the current location to the destination. The route E and the route F are road shapes having slopes with a predetermined gradient or more.

  At the timing when the user passes the judgment point (a position of 600 m in the current position direction along the route from the branch point), the route travel load calculating means 20 calculates the road of a predetermined shape from the branch point of each guidance route to the destination. Each existence ratio is calculated. The method for calculating the “presence ratio of a road having a predetermined shape” is not particularly limited, but a value obtained by adding all the lengths of slopes with a predetermined slope or more on the guidance route is divided by the total length of the route. For example, if the guidance route includes a 4 km slope, a 2 km straight road, and an 8 km slope, the value obtained by adding all the lengths of the slopes on the guidance route is (4 + 8) = 12 km. The length is (4 + 2 + 8) = 14 km. Therefore, the “existence ratio of the slope (road of a predetermined shape)” in this example is 12/14 = 0.86. In the example shown in FIG. 10A, the existence ratio of the predetermined slope on the path E is 0.3, and the existence ratio of the predetermined slope on the path F is 0.

  The load determining unit 30 calculates an absolute value of a difference between the existence ratio of the predetermined slope on the path E and the existence ratio of the predetermined slope on the path F. In this example, | 0.3-0 | = 0.3. In this example, the first predetermined value is defined as 0.1. Therefore, the relationship between the absolute value difference between the route travel loads of routes E and F and the first predetermined value is 0.3 ≧ 0.1. The load determination unit 30 determines that the difference in route travel load is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value. The route selection means 40 selects the guidance route with the smallest route travel load among the guidance routes. In this example, the magnitude of the route travel load is defined based on a user who is good at driving on a slope or who likes driving on a slope. In other words, in this example, a route having a high slope existence ratio is evaluated as having a small route travel load (a low load during driving), and a route having a low slope existence ratio is evaluated as having a high route travel load. Therefore, the route selection means 40 automatically selects a route E having a high ratio of predetermined slopes under such evaluation criteria. The display 50 presents the name of the selected route E as shown in FIG.

  In this embodiment, when there is a significant difference in the presence ratio (route travel load) of roads with a predetermined shape in a plurality of routes, the user automatically selects a route with a high or low presence ratio of roads with a predetermined shape. If the difference in route travel time is greater than or equal to a predetermined ratio, the route is selected automatically or uniformly without waiting for a user's selection command. As a result, the route is automatically selected only when there is a significant difference in the existence ratio of the road having a predetermined shape in the route, so that the user's intention is not confirmed until the user's selection tendency is clear. Does not bother the user.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11A, the ratio of the predetermined slope on the path E is 0.3, and the existence ratio of the predetermined slope on the path F is 0.35. The load determination unit 30 calculates the absolute value of the difference between the existence ratio of the predetermined slope on the route E and the existence ratio of the predetermined slope on the route D. In this example, | 0.35-0.3 | = 0.05. In this example, the first predetermined value is defined as 0.1. Therefore, the relationship between the absolute value difference between the route travel loads of routes E and F and the first predetermined value is 0.05 <0.1. The load determination unit 30 determines that the difference in route travel load is less than the first predetermined value. The route selection means 40 presents both the route E and the route F related to the difference in route travel load to the user as selection candidates. An example of this presentation is shown in FIG. Although not particularly limited, as shown in FIG. 11B, it is preferable to present information indicating the route name of each route and the surrounding area of each route. When the existence ratios of the curves of the route E and the route F are the same, the user is predicted to select the guide route based on the scenery, the presence / absence of traveling experience, and the like. Preferably presents road name, direction information, terrain information such as mountain or sea. The user sees this presentation, determines which route E or F is to be selected, and inputs the selection command to the input device 400. The route selection means 40 receives a selection command from the user and selects a route based on the selection command.

  In the present embodiment, if there is no significant difference in the existence ratio of roads of a predetermined shape, the presence of roads of a predetermined shape from the viewpoint that the user desires a comprehensive route selection based on experience, taste, mood, situation, etc. When the difference in the ratio is less than the predetermined ratio, the selection is made based on the user's selection command without automatically or uniformly selecting the route. Thereby, only when there is no significant difference in the existence ratio of the road having a predetermined shape, the user's intention can be confirmed, so that the user's desire can be respected without bothering the user.

<Fourth embodiment>
A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The present embodiment is characterized in that the route travel load is a fee required to pass through the guidance route, and the route is selected by a method according to the difference in the amount of the required fee. Except this point, it is common to the first embodiment. Here, different points will be mainly described in order to avoid redundant description.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the route calculation means 10 calculates a route G and a route H from the current location to the destination. Route G and route H include toll roads.

  At the timing when the user passes the decision point (a position 600 m from the branch point along the route in the current position direction), the route travel load calculating means 20 calculates the fee required from the branch point of each guidance route to the destination. Calculate each. In the example shown in FIG. 13A, the required fee for the route G is 2000 yen, and the required fee for the route H is 0 yen.

  The load determination unit 30 calculates the absolute value of the difference between the required fee for the route G and the required fee for the route H. In this example, | 2000-0 | = 2000 yen. In this example, the second predetermined value is defined as 500 yen. Therefore, the relationship between the absolute value difference between the route traveling loads of the routes G and H and the first predetermined value (which may be defined as the second predetermined value) is 2000 ≧ 500. The load determination unit 30 determines that the difference in route travel load is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value. The route selection means 40 selects the guidance route with the smallest route travel load among the guidance routes. In this example, the magnitude of the route travel load is defined based on a user who uses a toll road such as an expressway and has a lower driving load and is not a burden for paying a toll. That is, in this example, a route with a high required fee is evaluated as having a small route travel load (low load during driving), and a route with a lower required fee is evaluated as having a high route travel load. Therefore, the route selection means 40 automatically selects the route G having a high required fee under such evaluation criteria. The display 50 presents the name of the selected route G as shown in FIG. Of course, it may be evaluated that the route travel load is low when the required travel fee is low, with an emphasis on monetary travel burden.

  In the present embodiment, when there is a significant difference in the required fee, the difference in the required fee is greater than or equal to the predetermined amount from the viewpoint that the user desires to automatically select either the route with the higher or lower required fee. In this case, the route is selected automatically or uniformly without waiting for the user's selection command. As a result, the route is automatically selected only when there is a significant difference in the required fee, so the user's intention is not confirmed until the user's selection tendency is clear, and the user is bothered. Absent.

  In the example shown in FIG. 14A, the required fee for route G is 2000 yen, and the required fee for route H is 1800 yen. The load determination unit 30 calculates the absolute value of the difference between the required fee for the route G and the required fee for the route H. In this example, | 2000-1800 | = 200. In this example, the first predetermined value is defined as 500 yen. Therefore, the relationship between the absolute value difference between the route traveling loads of the routes G and H and the first predetermined value is 200 <500. The load determination unit 30 determines that the difference in route travel load is less than the first predetermined value. The route selection means 40 presents both the route G and the route H related to the difference in route travel load to the user as selection candidates. An example of this presentation is shown in FIG. Although not particularly limited, as shown in FIG. 14 (B), it is preferable to present information indicating the charge for each route, the route name, and the surrounding area of each route. The user sees this presentation, determines which route G or H is to be selected, and inputs the selection command to the input device 400. The route selection means 40 receives a selection command from the user and selects a route based on the selection command.

  In the present embodiment, if there is no significant difference in the amount of the required fee required for passing, the existence ratio of the required fee is determined from the viewpoint that the user desires a comprehensive route selection based on experience, preference, mood, situation, etc. When the difference is less than the predetermined ratio, the route is selected based on the user's selection command without automatically or uniformly selecting the route. Thereby, only when there is no significant difference in the existence ratio of the road having a predetermined shape, the user's intention can be confirmed, so that the user's desire can be respected without bothering the user.

  The traveling loads described in the first to fourth embodiments can be used alone or in combination.

  The embodiment described above is described in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and is not described in order to limit the present invention. Therefore, each element disclosed in the above embodiment is intended to include all design changes and equivalents belonging to the technical scope of the present invention.

It is a block block diagram of the navigation apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart figure which shows the control procedure of the navigation apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the path | route which receives a process by the navigation apparatus of 1st Embodiment. (A) is a figure which shows an example of the route | root shown in FIG. 3, (B) is the example of a display displayed in order to guide the route | root shown to (A). (A) is a figure which shows the other example of the path | route shown in FIG. 3, (B) is the example of a display displayed in order to guide the path | route shown in (A). It is a figure for demonstrating the path | route which receives a process by the navigation apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. (A) is a figure which shows an example of the path | route shown in FIG. 6, (B) is the example of a display displayed in order to guide the path | route shown in (A). (A) is a figure which shows the other example of the path | route shown in FIG. 6, (B) is the example of a display displayed in order to guide the path | route shown in (A). It is a figure for demonstrating the path | route which receives a process by the navigation apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. (A) is a figure which shows an example of the path | route shown in FIG. 9, (B) is the example of a display displayed in order to guide the path | route shown in (A). (A) is a figure which shows the other example of the path | route shown in FIG. 9, (B) is the example of a display displayed in order to guide the path | route shown in (A). It is a figure for demonstrating the path | route which receives a process by the navigation apparatus of 4th Embodiment. (A) is a figure which shows an example of the path | route shown in FIG. 12, (B) is the example of a display displayed in order to guide the path | route shown in (A). (A) is a figure which shows the other example of the path | route shown in FIG. 12, (B) is the example of a display displayed in order to guide the path | route shown in (A).

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Navigation apparatus 10 ... Route calculation means 11 ... Judgment point detection part 11
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Timing judgment part 20 ... Route travel load calculation means 30 ... Load judgment means 40 ... Path selection means 41 ... Option presentation command output part 42 ... Selection command reception part 43 ... Designated path selection part 44 ... Automatic selection part 50 ... Presentation means 200 ... own vehicle position detection device 300 ... map database 400 ... input device

Claims (8)

Route calculating means for calculating a guide route from the current position of the user or a future position where the user's movement is predicted to the destination;
When a plurality of guidance routes are calculated by the route calculation means, route traveling load calculation means for calculating the route traveling load of each guidance route,
Load judgment means for judging whether or not the difference in route travel load calculated by the route travel load calculation means is less than a first predetermined value set in advance;
When the load determination means determines that the difference in the route travel load is less than a first predetermined value, each guide route related to the difference in the route travel load is presented to the user as a selection candidate, and the user's Route selection means for receiving a selection command and selecting one guidance route from the plurality of guidance routes based on the received user selection command;
A navigation device comprising: presentation means for presenting the guidance route selected by the route selection means. The load determining means determines whether or not the difference in the route travel load calculated by the route travel load calculation means is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value set in advance;
When the load determination unit determines that the difference in the route travel load is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value, the route selection unit determines that the route travel load is the smallest among the respective guidance routes related to the difference in the travel load. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein a guidance route to be evaluated is selected. The route calculation means detects a predetermined point having a predetermined positional relationship with the branch point closest to the current position of the user among the calculated branch points of the plurality of guidance routes as the determination point, and the determination A timing determination unit that determines the timing at which the user passes through the determination point detected by the point detection unit,
The navigation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the route travel load calculation unit calculates the route travel load of each of the plurality of guidance routes calculated by the calculation unit at the timing determined by the timing determination unit.   The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the route travel load is defined based on a time required for passing through the guidance route.   The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the route travel load is defined based on a presence ratio of a road having a predetermined shape in the guidance route.   The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the route travel load is defined based on a ratio of roads of a predetermined road type in the guidance route.   The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the route travel load is defined based on a fee required to pass through the guidance route. Calculating a guide route from the current position of the user or a future position where the movement of the user is predicted to the destination;
When a plurality of the guidance routes are calculated, calculating the route traveling load of each guidance route,
Determining whether the calculated difference in route travel load is less than a preset first predetermined value;
When it is determined that the difference in the route travel load is less than a first predetermined value, each guidance route related to the difference in the route travel load is presented to the user as a selection candidate;
Receiving a user's selection command to select one guide route from the selection candidates;
Selecting one guide route from the plurality of guide routes based on the received user selection instruction;
Presenting the selected guidance route; and a route guidance method.

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