JP2007170927A - Travel estimation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a travel estimation system capable of estimating the precise position of a virtual vehicle, by estimating the position of the virtual vehicle, on the basis of positional information of an information providing vehicle during traveling. <P>SOLUTION: Search for a route from a departure point to a destination is performed on the basis of each search condition, and the position of the virtual vehicle 92 traveling a route other than the route, where own vehicle does not travel, from among the search routes with assumed start timing the same as the own vehicle is estimated, on the basis of positional information of a probe car 93 traveling within a prescribed range of the virtual vehicle 92. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a travel prediction system for predicting the current time position of a virtual vehicle that is assumed to travel a route from a predetermined departure place to a destination, and in particular, based on position information of a traveling information providing vehicle. It is related with the driving | running | working prediction system which enabled the prediction of the exact position of a virtual vehicle by predicting the position of this.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a navigation device is often mounted on a vehicle that provides vehicle travel guidance so that a driver can easily arrive at a desired destination. Here, the navigation device detects the current position of the vehicle by a GPS receiver or the like, acquires map data corresponding to the current position through a recording medium such as a DVD-ROM or HDD or a network, and displays it on a liquid crystal monitor. It is a device that can do. And, by displaying the vehicle position mark superimposed on the displayed map image, scrolling the map image according to the movement of the vehicle, or fixing the map image to the screen and moving the vehicle position mark, Shows where the vehicle is currently driving.

On the other hand, the navigation device has a route search function for searching for the optimum route from the vehicle position to the destination when the desired destination is input, and the guidance route from the current location to the destination is the shortest time and the shortest distance. It has a function of searching based on various conditions such as minimum charge and presenting it to the user. When a plurality of routes are searched as candidates, the time required from the current location to the destination is calculated and presented to the user for each route searched as one of the criteria for determining route selection by the user. Or running a virtual vehicle on a route, and presenting the simulation result to the user.
For example, in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-245609, a route is calculated using travel history data of the own vehicle, travel history data of another vehicle, past travel record data of the own vehicle, and calculated travel data calculated based on a virtual speed. There is described a navigation device that calculates a current position of a virtual vehicle traveling on another route set by a setting unit and displays a virtual vehicle mark on the other route in accordance with the calculated current position of the virtual vehicle.
JP 2004-245609 A (pages 4 to 7, FIG. 4)

However, simply calculating and displaying the required time from the current location to the destination does not take into account the current traffic conditions for the required time presented to the user, and assumes that the vehicle is traveling at a predetermined speed. It is only the expected time. Therefore, when actually traveling, a large error may occur between the expected time and the actual time depending on the traffic situation at that time.
On the other hand, in the case of calculating and displaying the position of the virtual vehicle as in the navigation device described in Patent Document 1, the position of the virtual vehicle is calculated based on the past travel data. In many cases, an error occurs between the actual traveling of the vehicle and the traveling of the route cannot be accurately simulated.
Therefore, even if the user selects an appropriate route (for example, a route that arrives in the shortest time) at the time of setting a guidance route by referring to the required time and simulation results, the selected route is the most appropriate route in the actual traveling result. It was not always true.

  In recent years, in order to grasp the traffic conditions around the vehicle more accurately, information on the vehicle and information on the surrounding environment (probe information) is obtained in real time from a vehicle that actually travels on the road called a probe car. Based on the acquired probe information, a more accurate grasp of the traffic situation is performed. Therefore, it is considered effective to more accurately simulate the traveling of the virtual vehicle by using real-time information provided from a vehicle that actually travels on the road surface, such as the probe car.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and makes it possible to accurately predict the position of a virtual vehicle traveling along a travel route from a departure place to a destination, and to select a route. It is an object of the present invention to provide a travel prediction system that enables a user to select an optimal route.

In order to achieve the object, the travel prediction system (1) according to claim 1 of the present application includes route setting means (23) for setting a travel route (64 to 68) from a predetermined departure point to a predetermined destination point, A virtual vehicle position predicting means (11, 23) for predicting a current time position of a virtual vehicle that departs from the departure point and travels on the travel route. The information providing vehicle detecting means (11) for detecting the information providing vehicle (2) traveling within a predetermined range of the position of the virtual vehicle predicted by the position of the information providing vehicle detected by the information providing vehicle detecting means Information receiving means (7) for receiving information, wherein the virtual vehicle position predicting means is based on the position information of the information providing vehicle received by the information receiving means. Characterized by predicting the position of both.
Here, the “information providing vehicle” may be a probe car that distributes the acquired probe information via the information center, or a vehicle having a communication unit that directly transmits information to other vehicles.

  Further, the travel prediction system (1) according to claim 2 is the travel prediction system according to claim 1, wherein the information providing vehicle (2) that receives position information by the information receiving means (7) is the travel route. (64 to 68) has route determination means (11) for determining whether or not the vehicle has deviated from the travel route, and when the route determination means determines that the vehicle has deviated from the travel route, the information providing vehicle detection means (11) A new information providing vehicle that travels within a predetermined range of the position of the virtual vehicle predicted by the virtual vehicle position prediction means (11, 23) is detected.

  A travel prediction system (1) according to claim 3 is the travel prediction system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the travel prediction system (1) is within the predetermined range based on a detection result of the information providing vehicle detection means (11). It has presence determination means (11) for determining whether or not the information providing vehicle (2) is traveling, and the virtual vehicle position prediction means (11, 23) provides information within the predetermined range by the presence determination means. When it is determined that the vehicle is not traveling, the position of the virtual vehicle is predicted on the assumption that the virtual vehicle travels at a predetermined speed based on the travel route.

  A travel prediction system (1) according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the travel prediction system according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the planned travel route on which the information providing vehicle (2) is planned to travel is acquired. And a virtual vehicle position predicting means when the information providing vehicle detecting means (11) determines that a plurality of information providing vehicles are traveling within the predetermined range. (11, 23) is characterized in that the position of the virtual vehicle is predicted based on the position information of the information providing vehicle in which the planned travel route most closely matches the travel route among a plurality of information providing vehicles.

  A travel prediction system (1) according to claim 5 is the travel prediction system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the virtual vehicle predicted by the virtual vehicle position prediction means (11, 23). It has a virtual vehicle position display means (25) which displays the position of this.

  Further, the travel prediction system (1) according to claim 6 is the travel prediction system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the route setting means (23) is a predetermined destination point from a predetermined departure point. A plurality of travel routes (64 to 68) until the virtual vehicle position predicting means (11, 23) travels on one of the travel routes set by the route setting means, It is characterized in that the position of the virtual vehicle assumed to depart from the departure point at the same timing when the own vehicle departed from the departure point and travel along one or a plurality of travel routes other than the travel of the own vehicle is characterized.

  The travel prediction system according to claim 1 having the above-described configuration is based on position information of an information providing vehicle that travels within a predetermined range of the position of a virtual vehicle that is assumed to travel on a travel route from a predetermined departure point to a predetermined destination point. Since the position of the virtual vehicle is predicted, the position of the virtual vehicle traveling along the travel route from the departure point to the destination can be accurately predicted based on real-time information from the vehicle actually traveling on the road. It becomes. Based on the prediction result of the virtual vehicle, the user can select the optimum route when selecting the route to the destination.

  In the travel prediction system according to claim 2, when it is determined that the information providing vehicle has deviated from the travel route, a new information providing vehicle that travels within a predetermined range of the position of the virtual vehicle is detected. It is possible to switch from the information providing vehicle to the information providing vehicle that seems to be optimal for predicting the position of the virtual vehicle and use it as an information providing target. Therefore, the position of the virtual vehicle traveling along the travel route from the departure point to the destination can be predicted more accurately.

  In the travel prediction system according to claim 3, when it is determined that the information providing vehicle is not traveling within a predetermined range, it is assumed that the virtual vehicle travels at a predetermined speed based on the travel route traveled by the virtual vehicle. The position of the virtual vehicle is predicted, so even when there is no information providing vehicle suitable for predicting the position of the virtual vehicle, the position of the virtual vehicle is predicted more accurately according to the route traveled by the virtual vehicle. Is possible.

  Further, in the travel prediction system according to claim 4, when it is determined that the plurality of information providing vehicles are traveling within the predetermined range, a travel planned route on which the information providing vehicle travels is selected from among the plurality of information providing vehicles. Since the position of the virtual vehicle is predicted based on the position information of the information providing vehicle that most closely matches the travel route of the virtual vehicle, the information providing vehicle that is most suitable for predicting the position of the virtual vehicle from among the plurality of information providing vehicles Can be selected and used as an information providing target. Therefore, the position of the virtual vehicle traveling along the travel route from the departure point to the destination can be predicted more accurately.

  In the travel prediction system according to the fifth aspect, since the predicted position of the virtual vehicle is displayed, the user refers to the prediction result of the position of the virtual vehicle and selects the route to the destination. The optimum route desired can be selected.

  Further, in the travel prediction system according to claim 6, the virtual vehicle is assumed to depart from the departure point at the same timing when the own vehicle departed from the departure point and travel along one or a plurality of travel routes other than the own vehicle traveling. Therefore, when the user travels on a route that he / she did not select, the user can recognize the travel result based on the predicted position of the virtual vehicle. Become. Therefore, when selecting the route to the destination after the next time, it is possible to select the optimum route desired by the user.

Hereinafter, based on one embodiment which materialized the run prediction system concerning the present invention, it explains in detail, referring to drawings.
First, a schematic configuration of the travel prediction system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a travel prediction system 1 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, a travel prediction system 1 according to the present embodiment travels on a road surface and obtains probe information, and a plurality of probe cars (information providing vehicles) 2 and probe information transmitted from the probe car 2. The probe information center 3 for generating traffic information (including the travel position of the virtual vehicle in the present embodiment) from the accumulated probe information and the traffic information distributed from the probe information center 3 are used. The terminal vehicle 4 is basically a user terminal.
The probe car 2 and the probe information center 3 can communicate with each other by a communication device 5 provided in the probe car 2 and a center side communication device 6 provided in the probe information center 3. The probe information center 3 and the terminal vehicle 4 can communicate with each other by a center side communication device 6 and a terminal communication device (information receiving means) 7 provided in the terminal vehicle 4.

Here, the communication device 5 is a communication means for transmitting probe information to the probe information center 3 via the communication network 10 (see FIG. 2), such as a radio beacon device, an optical beacon device, etc. disposed along the road. It is a beacon receiver which receives as an electric wave beacon, an optical beacon, etc. via. The communication device 5 is a network that enables communication in a communication system such as a LAN, WAN, intranet, mobile phone network, telephone network, public communication network, dedicated communication network, or communication network such as the Internet. It may be a device.
The probe information acquired by the probe car 2 and transmitted via the communication device 5 includes, for example, the current position of the host vehicle, the destination set by the navigation device, the position of the shift lever, the steering angle, the accelerator Opening degree, brake pressure, remaining amount of engine oil, remaining amount of fuel, seat belt wearing situation, speed of own vehicle, traveling direction of own vehicle, mileage of own vehicle, operating status of wiper, blinker state, There is current time etc. The probe information may be information that can be acquired by the vehicle as well as information about the surrounding environment of the vehicle in addition to the information of the vehicle itself. For example, an image captured by a camera installed in front of or behind the vehicle, Information on the distance to the preceding vehicle detected by the wave radar and the vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle can also be included.

  Further, the center side communication device 6 receives probe information from the probe car 2 via the communication network 10 (see FIG. 2), and transmits the traffic information created from the accumulated probe information to the terminal vehicle 4. Means.

  Further, the terminal communication device 7 is a communication means for receiving necessary traffic information transmitted from the probe information center 3 to the terminal vehicle 4 via the communication network 10 (see FIG. 2).

  In this embodiment, the probe car 2 and the terminal vehicle 4 are separately described as different types of vehicles. However, the terminal vehicle 4 can also be used as the probe car 2, and the probe car 2 Can also be used as the terminal vehicle 4. Furthermore, an information terminal such as a mobile phone, a PDA, or a personal computer can be used in place of the terminal vehicle 4.

  Next, a specific configuration of the travel prediction system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the probe information center 3 of the travel prediction system 1 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the terminal vehicle 4 of the travel prediction system 1 according to the present embodiment. It is.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the travel prediction system 1 includes a probe car 2, a probe information center 3, a terminal vehicle 4, and a communication network 10. The probe car 2, the probe information center 3, and the terminal vehicle 4 are configured to be able to transmit and receive various types of information via the communication network 10.

  Here, the GPS 8 is installed in the probe car 2, and probe information such as the current position and current time of the own vehicle is acquired by the GPS 8 and transmitted to the probe information center 3 at a predetermined time interval (for example, every 1 minute). To do. The probe car 2 may be equipped with a navigation device including the GPS 8 and the communication device 5.

  The probe information center 3 includes a center side communication device 6, a server (virtual vehicle position prediction means, information providing vehicle detection means, route determination means, travel route acquisition means) 11, and an information recording unit connected to the server 11. As a probe information DB 15 and a center map information DB 16. Further, the server 11 is based on an arithmetic device that performs overall control of the server 11 and a CPU 12 as a control device, a RAM 13 that is used as a working memory when the CPU 12 performs various arithmetic processes, and communication from the terminal vehicle 4. Various control programs for controlling the server 11 such as a travel prediction processing program (see FIGS. 7 and 8) for predicting the travel position of the virtual vehicle corresponding to the terminal vehicle 4 from the probe information stored in the probe information DB 15 An internal storage device such as a recorded ROM 14 is provided. Further, an MPU or the like can be used in place of the CPU 12.

  The probe information DB 15 is storage means for accumulating and storing probe information transmitted from the probe cars 2 traveling throughout the country via the communication network 10 at predetermined time intervals (for example, every one minute). In this embodiment, a hard disk is used as a storage medium for the probe information DB 15, but a magnetic disk, memory card, magnetic tape, magnetic drum, CD, MD, DVD, optical disk, MO, IC card, optical card, etc. Can also be used as an external storage device.

The probe information DB 15 of the probe information center 3 according to the present embodiment stores a travel point table 17 that cumulatively records the position coordinates of each probe car 2 that travels throughout the country as one piece of probe information. ing. FIG. 4 is a view showing a travel point table 17 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 4, the travel point table 17 includes an identification ID that identifies the probe car 2 and position coordinates of each probe car 2 for each time. Here, in the travel prediction system 1 according to the present embodiment, the probe car 2 detects the current time by the mounted GPS 18 and further uses the position of the own vehicle detected by the GPS 18 at intervals of 1 minute as probe information. 3 is transmitted.
Therefore, the server 11 can specify the route on which each probe car 2 has traveled in the past and the route on which it currently travels based on the travel point table 17.

  The center map information DB 16 is storage means in which map data necessary for calculating the travel position of the virtual vehicle is recorded. Specifically, the map data includes intersection data regarding intersections, link data regarding roads (links), node data regarding node points, and the like. The intersection data, the link data, and the node data have the same contents as those stored in the map information DB 28 (see FIG. 4) of the navigation device 20 to be described later, and the description thereof is omitted here.

Next, the configuration of the terminal vehicle 4 constituting the travel prediction system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The navigation device 20 having the terminal communication device 7 is mounted on the terminal vehicle 4 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3, the navigation device 20 includes a current location detection processing unit 21 that detects the current position of the host vehicle, a data recording unit 22 in which various types of data are recorded, and various calculations based on the input information. A navigation ECU (route setting means, virtual vehicle position prediction means) 23 that performs processing, an operation unit 24 that receives operations from an operator, and a liquid crystal display (virtual vehicle position display) that displays information such as a map to the operator Means) 25, a speaker 26 that outputs voice guidance related to route guidance, and a terminal communication device 7 that communicates with an information center such as a probe information center 3 or a traffic information center. The navigation ECU 23 is connected to a vehicle speed sensor 30 that detects the traveling speed of the vehicle.

Below, each component which comprises the navigation apparatus 20 is demonstrated.
The current location detection processing unit 21 includes a GPS 31, a geomagnetic sensor 32, a distance sensor 33, a steering sensor 34, a gyro sensor 35 as an orientation detection unit, an altimeter (not shown), and the like. It is possible to detect a distance to an object (for example, an intersection).

  Specifically, the GPS 31 detects the current location and current time of the vehicle on the earth by receiving radio waves generated by artificial satellites, and the geomagnetic sensor 32 measures the direction of the vehicle by measuring the geomagnetism. The distance sensor 33 detects a distance between predetermined positions on the road. Here, as the distance sensor 33, for example, the rotational speed of a wheel (not shown) of the vehicle is measured, a sensor that detects the distance based on the measured rotational speed, the acceleration is measured, and the measured acceleration is 2 A sensor that integrates the times and detects the distance can be used.

  The steering sensor 34 detects the rudder angle of the host vehicle. Here, as the steering sensor 34, for example, an optical rotation sensor attached to a rotating portion of a steering wheel (not shown), a rotation resistance sensor, an angle sensor attached to a wheel, or the like is used.

  And the gyro sensor 35 detects the turning angle of the own vehicle. Here, as the gyro sensor 35, for example, a gas rate gyro, a vibration gyro, or the like is used. Further, by integrating the turning angle detected by the gyro sensor 35, the vehicle direction can be detected.

  The data recording unit 22 is a driver for reading an external storage device and a hard disk (not shown) as a recording medium, a map information DB 28 and a predetermined program recorded on the hard disk, and writing predetermined data to the hard disk. And a recording head (not shown). In the present embodiment, a hard disk is used as the external storage device and storage medium of the data recording unit 22, but in addition to the hard disk, a magnetic disk such as a flexible disk can be used as the external storage device. Also, a memory card, magnetic tape, magnetic drum, CD, MD, DVD, optical disk, MO, IC card, optical card, etc. can be used as an external storage device. Details of the map information DB 28 will be described later.

  Further, the navigation ECU 23 is used as a working memory when the CPU 41 performs various kinds of arithmetic processing as an arithmetic device that controls the entire navigation device 20 and the CPU 41 as a control device, and a route when the route is searched. In addition to the RAM 42 in which data and the like are stored, a control program, a route setting processing program (see FIG. 5) for searching for a route to a destination set under five types of search conditions, and 5 searched under each search condition A travel prediction processing program (see FIG. 7 and FIG. 8) that predicts the travel position of the virtual vehicle assumed to travel on a route other than the travel of the host vehicle and displays it on the liquid crystal display 25 is recorded. ROM 43 and an internal storage device such as a flash memory 44 for recording a program read from the ROM 43 Eteiru. As the RAM 42, ROM 43, flash memory 44, etc., a semiconductor memory, a magnetic core or the like is used. As the arithmetic device and the control device, an MPU or the like can be used instead of the CPU 41.

  In the present embodiment, various programs are recorded in the ROM 43 and various data are recorded in the data recording unit 22. However, the programs, data, and the like are stored in the same external storage device, memory card, and the like. It is also possible to read out a program, data, etc. from the flash memory 44 and so on. Further, the program, data, etc. can be updated by exchanging a memory card or the like.

  Furthermore, the navigation ECU 23 is electrically connected to the operation unit 24, the liquid crystal display 25, the speaker 26, and peripheral devices (actuators) of the terminal communication device 7.

  The operation unit 24 is operated when inputting a departure point as a guidance start point and a destination as a guidance end point or when selecting a desired route from a plurality of searched route candidates. It consists of a plurality of operation switches (not shown) such as buttons. Then, the navigation ECU 23 performs control to execute various corresponding operations based on switch signals output by pressing the switches. As the operation unit 24, a keyboard, a mouse, a barcode reader, a remote control device for remote operation, a joystick, a light pen, a stylus pen, or the like can be used. Furthermore, it can also be configured by a touch panel provided on the front surface of the liquid crystal display 25.

  The liquid crystal display 25 also has operation guidance, operation menu, key guidance, guidance route from the current location to the destination, guidance information along the guidance route, traffic information, news, weather forecast, time, mail, TV program, etc. Is displayed. Furthermore, in the navigation device 20 according to the present embodiment, the travel position of the virtual vehicle and the travel of the virtual vehicle to the destination are assumed to travel on a route other than the route on which the host vehicle travels among the searched five routes. The required time required for the above is displayed on the liquid crystal display 25 (see FIGS. 11 and 12). Instead of the liquid crystal display 25, it is also possible to use a CRT display, a plasma display, or the like, or a hologram device that projects a hologram on the windshield of a vehicle.

  In addition, the speaker 26 outputs voice guidance for guiding traveling along the guidance route based on an instruction from the navigation ECU 23. Here, examples of the voice guidance to be guided include “the intersection is 300 m ahead in the right direction” and “the next national highway No. XX is congested”. Note that as the sound output from the speaker 26, in addition to the synthesized sound, various sound effects and various guidance information recorded in advance on a tape, a memory or the like can be output.

  In addition to receiving the traffic information distributed from the probe information center 3 described above, the terminal communication device 7 receives traffic information transmitted from a traffic information center such as a VICS (registered trademark: Vehicle Information and Communication System) center. Receive traffic information consisting of information such as information, regulation information, parking lot information, traffic accident information, etc. as radio beacon, optical beacon, etc. via radio beacon device, optical beacon device, etc. arranged along the road Beacon receiver. Further, the terminal communication device 7 enables communication in a communication system such as a LAN, WAN, intranet, cellular phone network, telephone network, public communication network, dedicated communication network, or communication network such as the Internet. It may be a network device. Further, the terminal communication device 7 includes an FM receiver that receives FM multiplex information including information such as news and weather forecast as FM multiplex broadcast via an FM broadcast station in addition to the information from the information center. The beacon receiver and the FM receiver are unitized and arranged as a VICS receiver, but can be arranged separately.

  Next, the map information DB 28 stored in the data recording unit 22 will be described. Here, map data necessary for route guidance and map display is recorded in the map information DB 28. The map data includes, for example, map display data for displaying a map, intersection data regarding each intersection, and roads (links). Link data, node data related to node points, search data for searching routes, facility data related to facilities, search data for searching points, and the like.

In the present embodiment, the map data is hierarchized into three layers according to the information amount of the road network. For example, the level 1 hierarchy is map data divided into a plurality of 10 km square meshes, the level 2 hierarchy is a map data divided into a plurality of 20 km square meshes, and the level 3 hierarchy is 40 km squares. Map data divided into a plurality of meshes.
Further, the map data of the lower level hierarchy includes a larger amount of information of the road network than the map data of the upper level hierarchy. For example, the map data of the level 3 includes the expressway national highway, the automobile exclusive road, the urban expressway, Stores information about toll roads. In addition to the road network included in level 3, the map data of level 2 stores information related to major general roads such as national roads and prefectural roads. In addition to the road network included in level 2, the level 1 map data stores detailed road network information related to all other general roads such as narrow streets.

  Furthermore, the map data mesh in the lower level hierarchy has a narrow coverage instead of having detailed data, and the map data mesh in the upper level hierarchy has a wide coverage instead of having only coarse data. ing. For example, the mesh in the lowest level (level 1) hierarchy has road data for all roads including narrow streets, but only covers the municipality range, and the mesh in the highest level (level 3) hierarchy is a highway. Only covers road data such as roads and toll roads, but covers the whole of Japan.

  Here, map drawing information for performing map display according to the map data of each level hierarchy is stored as the map display data constituting the map data of each hierarchy.

  The link data includes the width of the road to which the link belongs, the gradient, the cant, the bank, the road surface condition, the number of road lanes, the number of lanes for each link constituting the road in the map data of each level hierarchy. The data indicating the area where the width decreases, the area where the width becomes narrower, the level crossing, etc. are the corners, the data indicating the radius of curvature, intersection, T-junction, corner entrance and exit, etc. In addition to general roads such as national roads, prefectural roads, and narrow streets, data representing road types include data representing toll roads such as national highways, roads dedicated to automobiles, urban highways, general toll roads, and toll bridges. To be recorded. Furthermore, regarding toll roads, data relating to entrance roads (rampways), toll gates (interchanges) and the like of toll roads are recorded.

  In addition, as node data, in each level of the map data, road branch points (including intersections, T-junctions, etc.), node points set at predetermined distances according to the radius of curvature, etc. Coordinate (position), node attribute indicating whether the node is a node corresponding to the intersection, etc., connection link number list that is a list of link numbers of links connected to the node, and node numbers of nodes adjacent to the node via the link Are recorded, such as a list of adjacent node numbers, the height (altitude) of each node point, and the like.

Further, as the search data, data used for searching and displaying the route to the destination set in the map data of each level hierarchy is recorded, and the cost when passing through the node (hereinafter, referred to as the search data) Node cost) and cost data used to calculate the search cost consisting of the cost of the link that constitutes the road (hereinafter referred to as link cost), travel time required to pass through the link, and route search. It consists of route display data for displaying the route on the map of the liquid crystal display 25 and the like.
Here, the node cost is basically set for the node corresponding to the intersection, and in the navigation device 20 according to the present embodiment, the presence or absence of a signal and the travel route of the own vehicle when passing through the intersection (that is, going straight) The value is determined by the type of the right turn and the left turn).
In addition, the link cost is "priority road priority" that prioritizes driving on toll roads, "general road priority" that prioritizes driving on general roads other than toll roads, and the travel distance to the destination is shortened. Priority is given to "Distance priority", "Recommended route" is given priority to shortening the required time to the destination, Priority is given to shortening the required time to the destination on a route different from the route searched for by the recommended route Calculated using data related to traffic information such as traffic information from VICS, in addition to road attributes, road types, road widths, number of lanes, and link lengths that make up links, for each of the five search conditions for “other routes” The

  In addition, as facility data, data related to buildings such as hotels, hospitals, gas stations, parking lots, tourist facilities, interchanges, restaurants, service areas, and the like in each region are recorded together with facility IDs that identify the buildings. The map information DB 28 also records audio output data for outputting predetermined information by the speaker 26 of the navigation device 20.

In the case of a route search in which the distance from the current location (departure location) to the destination is a short distance (for example, about 3 km), the navigation ECU 23 determines the level 1 map data that is the lowest level map data around the current location. Search for a route using only the mesh.
In addition, in the case of a route search where the distance from the current location to the destination is a medium distance (for example, about 50 km), a mesh of level 1 map data that is the lowest level map data is used for the current location and the vicinity of the destination. The area adjacent to the mesh of the level 1 map data is searched for a route using the mesh of the level 2 map data which is the map data of the intermediate layer.
Furthermore, in the case of a route search where the distance from the current location to the destination is a long distance (for example, about 300 km), a mesh of level 1 map data which is the map data of the lowest layer around the current location and the destination is used. The area adjacent to the mesh of level 1 map data uses a mesh of level 2 map data which is map data of the middle layer, and the area adjacent to the mesh of level 2 map data is map data of the top layer. A route is searched using a mesh of certain level 3 map data. Thereby, the amount of calculation for the route search can be suppressed, and the time required for the route search can be shortened.

  Further, when the navigation ECU 23 searches for a route, the road data in the search data in the map data is examined, and five search conditions (“paid road priority”, “general road priority”, “distance priority”, “ The route is searched by calculating the search cost (node cost and link cost) for the road (link and node) included in the mesh used for the search for each of “recommended route” and “other route”). Specifically, the route search is performed from the departure side and the destination side, and the search cost and purpose accumulated from the departure side are overlapped in the overlap between the search from the departure side and the search from the destination side. A value obtained by adding the search costs accumulated from the ground side, that is, a cost addition value is calculated. As a result, a total of five routes with the lowest cost under each search condition (however, the second smallest route as a result of searching under the “recommended route” search condition for the “different route” search condition) are selected. Then, one route selected by the user is set as a guide route.

  The contents of the map information DB 28 can be obtained by transferring information from a recording medium such as a DVD or an externally connected memory card, or by downloading information from a specific information center or the like via the terminal communication device 7. Updated.

  Next, a route setting processing program executed by the navigation ECU 23 of the terminal vehicle 4 constituting the travel prediction system 1 according to the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the route setting processing program in the travel prediction system 1 according to the present embodiment. Here, the route setting processing program is a program for setting a route by searching for a route from a departure point to a destination which is the current position of the host vehicle under each search condition. The program shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is stored in the ROM 43 and RAM 42 provided in the navigation ECU 23, and is executed by the CPU 41 at predetermined intervals (for example, every 4 ms) after the ignition is turned on.

First, in step (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 1 in the route setting processing program, the CPU 41 performs an operation for setting a destination by the user based on operation information of the operation unit 24 or changes an already set destination. It is determined whether or not an operation has been performed.
If it is determined that the user has performed an operation for setting a destination or an operation for changing a destination that has already been set (S1: YES), the process proceeds to S2 and is input through the operation unit 24. Set the point as a new destination. On the other hand, when it is determined that the operation for setting the destination and the operation for changing the already set destination are not performed (S1: NO), the route setting processing program is terminated.

  Next, in S <b> 3, the current position of the host vehicle is detected based on the detection result of the current position detection processing unit 21. In S4, the search cost is calculated for each of the five search conditions ("paid road priority", "general road priority", "distance priority", "recommended route", "other route"), and the current position of the vehicle is calculated. A route search process from a certain departure point to the destination set in S2 is performed. Note that S4 corresponds to the processing of the route setting means.

  Specifically, the route search processing by the navigation ECU 23 will be described. First, the road data in the search data in the map data is examined, and five search conditions ("paid road priority", "general road priority", "distance priority") are searched. ”,“ Recommended route ”,“ other route ”), the search cost (node cost and link cost) for the road (link and node) included in the mesh used for the search is calculated. Then, in the overlapping part of the search from the departure side and the search from the destination side, a value obtained by adding the search cost accumulated from the departure side and the search cost accumulated from the destination side, that is, cost addition A value is calculated. As a result, a total of five routes with the lowest cost under each search condition (however, for the search condition for “other route”, the second smallest route as a result of searching with the search condition for “recommended route”) is selected. . Thereafter, each selected route is displayed on the liquid crystal display 25.

Here, FIG. 6 is a view of the route display screen 51 showing the five routes searched by the route searching process of S4 on the liquid crystal display 25. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, the route display screen 51 includes a departure point mark 52 that indicates the position of the departure point that is the current position of the vehicle, a destination mark 53 that indicates the position of the destination set in S <b> 2, Routes 54 to 58 for guiding from the departure point to the destination are displayed on the map.
Here, the first route 54 is a route searched under a search condition of “toll road priority” that prioritizes traveling on a toll road. The second route 55 is a route searched under the search condition of “general road priority” in which priority is given to traveling on general roads other than toll roads. Further, the third route 56 is a route searched under a “distance priority” search condition in which priority is given to shortening the travel distance to the destination. The fourth route 57 is a route searched under the “recommended route” search condition that gives priority to shortening the required time to the destination. Further, the fifth route 58 is a route searched under the search condition of “another route” that gives priority to shortening the required time to the destination by a route different from the route searched by the recommended route.
The user can easily grasp each route searched under each search condition by referring to the routes 54 to 58 displayed on the route display screen 51.

Subsequently, in S5, a route to be a guide route is selected from the five routes searched in the route search process in S4. Specifically, the selection is made based on the operation of the operation unit 24 by the user referring to the route display screen 51.
Thereafter, in S6, the CPU 41 sets the selected route as the guidance route as the route on which the host vehicle travels. Then, the guidance route is displayed on the liquid crystal display 25 according to the set guidance route, and the route guidance is provided to the user by the display on the liquid crystal display 25 and the sound output from the speaker 26.

  Next, a travel prediction processing program executed by the navigation ECU 23 of the terminal vehicle 4 and the server 11 of the probe information center 3 in the travel prediction system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts of a travel prediction processing program in the travel prediction system according to the present embodiment. Here, the travel prediction processing program selects a route other than the vehicle traveling (route not set as the guide route) among the five routes searched by the route setting processing program (see FIG. 5). This is a program that predicts the travel position of the virtual vehicle assumed to travel and displays it on the liquid crystal display 25. In addition, the traveling prediction processing program executes the same processing for four routes that are not traveled by the host vehicle among the five routes searched. That is, the travel position of the virtual vehicle is predicted by the travel prediction processing program for each of the four routes, and the travel position is displayed on the liquid crystal display 25. 7 and 8 are stored in the RAM 42 and the ROM 43 provided in the navigation device 20 or the RAM 13 and the ROM 14 provided in the server 11, and are executed by the CPU 41 or the CPU 12. The

  First, a travel prediction processing program executed by the CPU 41 of the navigation device 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. In S11, the CPU 41 determines whether or not the current position of the vehicle is specified on the map data recorded in the map information DB 28, that is, whether or not map matching is performed.

  If it is determined that the vehicle position is matched (S11: YES), then the guidance route is set by the route setting processing program (see FIG. 5) and the vehicle is traveling. It is determined whether or not the route guidance along the guidance route set by the start is started (S12).

  As a result, when it is determined that the route guidance is started (S12: YES), the process proceeds to S13. On the other hand, when it is determined that the vehicle position is not matched (S11: NO), when it is determined that the guidance route is not set, and when the vehicle has not started traveling, route guidance is started. If it is determined that it is not (S12: NO), the travel prediction processing program is terminated.

  In S13, the CPU 41 searches for each of the five search conditions (“paid road priority”, “general road priority”, “distance priority”, “recommended route”, “other route”) in the route search process in S4. Of the five routes, information on any route other than the vehicle traveling (for example, a route searched under the search condition of “general road priority”), and the route set as the guide route in S5 Route information relating to (for example, a route searched under the search condition of “distance priority”) is transmitted to the probe information center 3 by the terminal communication device 7.

  Next, in S14, the travel position of the virtual vehicle is calculated from the current position of the host vehicle detected by the current position detection processing unit 21, and the current position (travel position) of the host vehicle and the virtual vehicle is displayed on the liquid crystal display 25 (S15). ). Specifically, in the process of S14, since it is determined that the host vehicle and the virtual vehicle travel on the same link, the same point as the current position of the host vehicle is predicted as the position of the virtual vehicle.

  In S15, whether or not the route for which the travel position of the virtual vehicle is predicted, that is, the route for which the route information is transmitted in S13 has branched in a different direction with respect to the guide route on which the vehicle is currently traveling. Is determined. As a result, if it is determined that the vehicle does not branch in a different direction (S15: NO), that is, if it is determined that the virtual vehicle travels on the same link as the route on which the host vehicle currently travels, The current position of the host vehicle is predicted as the travel position of the virtual vehicle (S14).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the vehicle is branched in a different direction with respect to the guidance route on which the vehicle is currently traveling (S16: YES), the position of the virtual vehicle is reached when the vehicle reaches the branch point. Information (that is, position information of the host vehicle) is transmitted to the probe information center 3 by the terminal communication device 7.

  Thereafter, in S <b> 18, the terminal communication device 7 receives the position information of the virtual vehicle calculated based on the position information of the probe car 2 from the probe information center 3. Based on the received position information of the virtual vehicle, the current position (traveling position) of the host vehicle and the virtual vehicle is displayed on the liquid crystal display 25 (S19).

  In S20, the terminal communication device 7 receives the position information of the virtual vehicle calculated from the probe information center 3 based on the road type (for example, highway, general road, etc.) on which the virtual vehicle travels. Then, based on the received position information of the virtual vehicle, the terminal vehicle 4 (own vehicle) and the current position (traveling position) of the virtual vehicle are respectively displayed on the liquid crystal display 25 (S21).

Here, FIGS. 9 and 10 show an example of a travel guidance screen 61 that is displayed on the liquid crystal display 25 in S15, S19, and S21 and that specifies the travel positions of the terminal vehicle 4 (the host vehicle) and the virtual vehicle on the route. It is a figure. The travel guidance screen 61 includes a departure point mark 62 indicating the position of the departure point, a destination mark 63 indicating the position of the destination, routes 64-68 for guiding from the departure point to the destination, and a guidance route (FIG. 9). 10 and FIG. 10, a vehicle mark 69 indicating the current position of the vehicle traveling on the route 66) searched under the search condition of “distance priority”, and a virtual indicating the current position of the virtual vehicle traveling on a route other than the guidance route. The marks 70 to 73 are configured by being displayed on the map.
Here, for example, when the route set as the guidance route is the route 66 searched under the search condition of “distance priority”, the route 65 searched for with “general road priority” is the route X in the range X Are the same links. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 9, the vehicle mark 69 and the virtual mark 70 of the virtual vehicle traveling on the route 65 are displayed in the same position by the process of S14. On the other hand, after passing the range X, the position of the virtual vehicle calculated by the probe information center 3 based on the position information of the probe car 2 or the road type is displayed by the virtual mark 70 as shown in FIG.

  Next, in S22, the CPU 41 receives, from the probe information center 3, the terminal communication device 7 that the virtual vehicle or the host vehicle has reached the destination. Thereafter, in S23, the time required for the host vehicle and the virtual vehicle to travel the route, or until the virtual vehicle that has not reached the destination when the host vehicle reaches the destination reaches the destination. The remaining time required for the display is displayed on the liquid crystal display 25.

  Here, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are displayed on the liquid crystal display 25 in S23, and display the required time or the remaining required time required for the terminal vehicle 4 (own vehicle) and the virtual vehicle to travel the route. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a route comparison screen 81. FIG. The route comparison screen 81 has a short time required for each route searched under five search conditions (“paid road priority”, “general road priority”, “distance priority”, “recommended route”, “other route”). Are listed in the order in which they are listed, and are required for the route rank 82 indicating the rank of the shortest required time, the route type 83 indicating the route search condition, and the own vehicle and the virtual vehicle to travel the route. Required time 84 and a specific mark 85 for specifying a route set by the host vehicle as a guidance route.

For example, in FIGS. 11 and 12, the host vehicle or the virtual vehicle arrives at the destination in the order of “recommended route”, “toll road priority”, “distance priority”, “general road priority”, and “alternative route”. The “distance priority” route on which the vehicle actually traveled is the route with the third minimum travel time.
Here, the required time 84 is calculated from the current time detected by the GPS 31 at the time of departure of the departure point of the own vehicle and arrival at the destination regarding the guidance route on which the own vehicle has traveled. On the other hand, regarding the route traveled by the virtual vehicle, from the current time detected by the GPS 31 at the time of departure of the departure point of the own vehicle and arrival of the virtual vehicle simulated in the travel prediction processing program at the destination. Calculated. However, when the host vehicle arrives earlier than the virtual vehicle, the remaining distance from the current position of the virtual vehicle to the destination is calculated, and is 60 km / h for a highway and 30 km / h for a general road. The remaining required time to the destination of the virtual vehicle is calculated assuming that the vehicle travels at h. In addition, it is not calculated from the road type alone, but is calculated as the virtual vehicle travels at the travel speed set based on the travel speed set by the user of the terminal vehicle 4 or traffic information acquired from VICS or the like. Also good.

And about the time required for the route that has not reached the destination when the host vehicle reaches the destination (the time required for the routes of “general road priority” and “other route” in FIGS. 11 and 12) As shown in FIG. 11, the time required for the route traveled by the host vehicle (the time required for the “distance priority” route in FIG. 11) is added to the calculated remaining time. May be. Also, as shown in FIG. 12, only the calculated remaining required time may be displayed.
Then, the user can check whether or not the route selected by the own vehicle is appropriate by referring to the route comparison screen 81, and can reflect this in the subsequent selection.

  Next, a travel prediction processing program executed by the CPU 12 of the server 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, in S101, the CPU 12 receives the route information transmitted from the terminal vehicle 4 in S13 by the center side communication device 6, and stores it in the probe information DB 15.

  Next, in S102, the CPU 12 receives the current position information of the virtual vehicle transmitted from the terminal vehicle 4 in S17 by the center side communication device 6. Then, the position of the virtual vehicle is map-matched based on the map data stored in the center map information DB 16, and the probe car 2 traveling within a predetermined range (within a radius of 100 m in this embodiment) from the position of the virtual vehicle is probed. A search is performed based on the travel point table 17 of the information DB 15 (S103). In addition, S103 corresponds to the process of an information provision vehicle detection means.

Thereafter, in S104, the CPU 12 determines whether there is a probe car 2 traveling within a predetermined range based on the search result of S103, and further determines that there is a probe car 2 traveling within the predetermined range. In the case (S104: YES), it is determined whether or not there are a plurality of target probe cars 2 (S105).
On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no probe car 2 traveling within the predetermined range (S104: NO), the process proceeds to S111, and the traveling position of the virtual vehicle is predicted based on the road type as described later. . Note that S104 corresponds to the processing of the presence determination unit.

If it is determined in S105 that there are a plurality of target probe cars 2 (S105: YES), the route information of the guidance path set in the navigation device mounted from each target probe car 2 is obtained. Acquired by communication with the probe car 2. Then, the guide route set in each probe car 2 is compared with the route traveled by the virtual route received in S101, and the probe car 2 having the route determined to be the best match as the guide route is determined. Identify.
If it is determined that no guide route is set for any probe car 2, the probe car 2 that travels at a position closest to the current position of the virtual vehicle is specified.
On the other hand, when it is determined in S105 that there is only one target probe car 2 (S105: NO), the process proceeds to S107. Note that S106 corresponds to the processing of the travel route acquisition unit.

After that, in S107, the calculation of the travel position of the virtual vehicle is started based on the current position of the probe car 2 (the probe car 2 specified in S106 if there are a plurality) located within the predetermined range. Specifically, the same point as the current position of the probe car 2 is predicted as the current position of the virtual vehicle.
Thereafter, the CPU 12 transmits the position information of the virtual vehicle calculated in S107 to the terminal vehicle 4 by the center side communication device 6 (S108). Then, the transmitted terminal vehicle 4 displays the position of the virtual vehicle on the travel guidance screen 61 as described above (see FIG. 10).

Here, the calculation method of the traveling position of the virtual vehicle in S107 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, when it is calculated that the virtual vehicle 92 is located at a predetermined point on the road surface 91 and it is detected that the probe car 93 is traveling within a radius of 100 m, Thereafter, the travel position of the probe car 93 is calculated as the travel position of the virtual vehicle.
If the probe car 93 is detected 80 m ahead of the virtual vehicle 92 as shown in FIG. 13, the virtual vehicle is set to a position 80 m ahead from the travel position of the probe car 93 instead of the travel position of the probe car 93 thereafter. It may be calculated as the travel position.

  In S109, the virtual vehicle or the terminal vehicle 4 (own vehicle) reaches the destination based on the position of the virtual vehicle calculated in S107 and the current position of the terminal vehicle 4 transmitted from the terminal vehicle 4. It is determined whether or not. And when it determines with the virtual vehicle or the terminal vehicle 4 having reached | attained the destination (S109: YES), it transfers to S114, the center side communication apparatus is notified with respect to the terminal vehicle 4 that the destination was reached. 6 is transmitted.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the virtual vehicle and the terminal vehicle 4 have not reached the destination (S109: NO), the CPU 12 subsequently becomes a calculation target for calculating the position of the virtual vehicle in S107. It is determined whether the probe car 2 (probe car 93 in FIG. 13) has deviated from the route on which the virtual vehicle travels (S110). Note that S110 corresponds to processing of the route determination unit.

  As a result, when it is determined that the route is not deviated (S110: NO), the process returns to S107, and the traveling position of the virtual vehicle is calculated from the probe car 2 that is the target continuously.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the probe car 2 has deviated from the route traveled by the virtual vehicle (S110: YES), the probe car 2 is based on the road type of the road where the virtual vehicle is currently located from the point where the probe car 2 deviated from the route. Then, calculation of the position of the virtual vehicle is started (S111). Specifically, the position of the virtual vehicle is calculated assuming that the road where the virtual vehicle is currently located is 60 km / h if the road is a highway and 30 km / h if the road is a general road. In addition, it is not calculated from the road type alone, but is calculated as the virtual vehicle travels at the travel speed set based on the travel speed set by the user of the terminal vehicle 4 or the traffic information acquired from VICS or the like. Also good.
Thereafter, the CPU 12 transmits the position information of the virtual vehicle calculated in S111 to the terminal vehicle 4 by the center side communication device 6 (S112). The transmitted terminal vehicle 4 displays the position of the virtual vehicle on the travel guidance screen 61 as described above (see FIG. 10). Note that S14, S107, and S111 correspond to the processing of the route setting means.

  Here, the calculation method of the travel position of the virtual vehicle in S111 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, in a state where it is calculated that the virtual vehicle 92 is located at a predetermined point on the road surface 91, the target probe car 93 travels in the direction of the arrow 94, and the virtual vehicle 92 travels. If the route to be deviated from is determined, the travel position of the virtual vehicle 92 is calculated so as to travel along the route at a travel speed corresponding to the road type of the road surface 91 thereafter.

  Next, in S113, based on the position of the virtual vehicle calculated in S111 and the current position of the terminal vehicle 4 transmitted from the terminal vehicle 4, the virtual vehicle or the terminal vehicle 4 (own vehicle) is determined as the destination. It is determined whether or not it has been reached. And when it determines with the virtual vehicle or the terminal vehicle 4 having reached | attained the destination (S113: YES), it transfers to S114, the center side communication apparatus is notified with respect to the terminal vehicle 4 that the destination was reached. 6 is transmitted.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the virtual vehicle and the terminal vehicle 4 have not reached the destination (S113: NO), the process returns to S103 and is within a predetermined range of the virtual vehicle (within a radius of 100 m in this embodiment). The new probe car 2 that travels is searched based on the travel point table 17 of the probe information DB 15.

As described above in detail, in the travel prediction system 1 according to the present embodiment, a route from the departure point to the destination point is searched based on each search condition (S4), and the vehicle travels among the searched routes. Since the position of the virtual vehicle that is assumed to have started traveling at the same timing as the vehicle other than the non-route is predicted based on the position information of the probe car 2 traveling within the predetermined range of the virtual vehicle (S14, S107, S111) The position of the virtual vehicle traveling along the travel route from the departure point to the destination can be accurately predicted based on real-time information from the vehicle actually traveling on the road. Based on the prediction result of the virtual vehicle, the user can select the optimum route when selecting the route to the destination.
When it is determined that the probe car 2 has deviated from the route traveled by the virtual vehicle (S110: YES), a new probe car 2 traveling within a predetermined range of the position of the virtual vehicle is detected (S103). It is possible to switch the probe car 2 from the plurality of probe cars 2 to the probe car 2 that seems to be optimal for predicting the position of the virtual vehicle and use it as an information providing target. Therefore, the position of the virtual vehicle traveling along the travel route from the departure point to the destination can be predicted more accurately.
In addition, when it is determined that the probe car 2 is not traveling within the predetermined range (S104: NO), the predetermined speed based on the road type on which the virtual vehicle travels (60km / h for a highway, 30km for a general road) / H), the position of the virtual vehicle is predicted on the assumption that the virtual vehicle travels (S111). Therefore, even if there is no probe car 2 suitable for predicting the position of the virtual vehicle, It becomes possible to predict the position more accurately according to the traveling route.
Further, when it is determined that a plurality of probe cars 2 are traveling within a predetermined range (S105: YES), the guide route set by the probe cars among the plurality of probe cars 2 is traveling of the virtual vehicle. Since the position of the virtual vehicle is predicted based on the position information of the probe car 2 that most closely matches the route to be probed, the probe car 2 that is most suitable for predicting the position of the virtual vehicle is selected from the plurality of probe cars 2. Can be used as an information provision target. Therefore, the position of the virtual vehicle traveling along the travel route from the departure point to the destination can be predicted more accurately.
Further, since the position of the virtual vehicle is displayed on the liquid crystal display 25 (S15, S19, S21), the user refers to the prediction result of the position of the virtual vehicle and selects the route to the destination after the next time. The optimum route desired by the user can be selected.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
For example, in the present embodiment, when the probe car 2 traveling within a predetermined range of the virtual vehicle cannot be detected (S104: NO), the server 11 of the probe information center 3 performs the route at the traveling speed corresponding to the road type. In this case, the position of the virtual vehicle may be calculated by the navigation device 20 of the terminal vehicle 4.
Further, in the present embodiment, when the guidance route traveled by the host vehicle and the route traveled by the virtual vehicle are the same link (S16: NO), the navigation device 20 of the terminal vehicle 4 determines the position of the virtual vehicle. In this case, the position of the virtual vehicle may be calculated by the server 11 of the probe information center 3.

  In the present embodiment, the position of the virtual vehicle that travels on the route determined that the vehicle does not travel among the routes searched under the five different search conditions is calculated, but the route set by the user It is also possible to calculate the position of the virtual vehicle that travels only. Even when the terminal vehicle 4 is not driven, the position may be calculated on the assumption that only the virtual vehicle has started to travel from the departure place at a predetermined timing.

  In the present embodiment, the probe information transmitted from the probe car 2 is distributed to the terminal vehicle 4 via the probe information center 3, but the probe information is directly transmitted to the terminal vehicle 4 by communication between vehicles. You may make it do. In this case, it is desirable that the processing of S101 to S114 is performed on the terminal vehicle 4 side.

  In addition, the timing at which the probe car 2 transmits the current position and current time of the host vehicle to the probe information center 3 is not a predetermined time interval (1 minute interval in this embodiment) but a predetermined distance interval (for example, 100 m interval). May be. Furthermore, it is good also as transmitting every time it passes a node.

It is a schematic structure figure of a run prediction system concerning this embodiment. It is the block diagram shown about especially the structure of the probe information center of the driving | running | working prediction system which concerns on this embodiment. It is the block diagram shown about especially the structure of the terminal vehicle of the driving | running | working prediction system which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed the travel point table which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart of the route setting process program in the driving | running | working prediction system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure of the path | route display screen which showed the five paths searched by the path | route search process on the liquid crystal display. It is a flowchart of the driving | running | working prediction process program in the driving | running | working prediction system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart of the driving | running | working prediction process program in the driving | running | working prediction system which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed an example of the driving | running | working guidance screen which specified the driving | running | working position of the own vehicle and a virtual vehicle on the path | route. It is the figure which showed an example of the driving | running | working guidance screen which specified the driving | running | working position of the own vehicle and a virtual vehicle on the path | route. It is a figure which shows an example of the route comparison screen which displayed the required time required for the own vehicle and the virtual vehicle to drive | work a route, or the remaining required time. It is a figure which shows an example of the route comparison screen which displayed the required time required for the own vehicle and the virtual vehicle to drive | work a route, or the remaining required time. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method for calculating a travel position of a virtual vehicle in step 107. It is explanatory drawing explaining the calculation method of the running position of the virtual vehicle in step.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Travel prediction system 2 Probe car 3 Probe information center 4 Terminal vehicle 7 Terminal communication apparatus 11 Server 12 CPU
13 RAM
14 ROM
15 Probe information DB
21 Current location detection processing unit 23 Navigation ECU
25 LCD 41 CPU
42 RAM
43 ROM

Claims (6)

Route setting means for setting a travel route from a predetermined departure point to a predetermined destination point;
In a travel prediction system having virtual vehicle position prediction means for predicting the position of the current time of a virtual vehicle that departs from the departure point and travels on the travel route,
Information providing vehicle detecting means for detecting an information providing vehicle that travels within a predetermined range of the position of the virtual vehicle predicted by the virtual vehicle position predicting means;
Information receiving means for receiving position information of the information providing vehicle detected by the information providing vehicle detection means;
The virtual vehicle position predicting means predicts the position of the virtual vehicle based on the position information of the information providing vehicle received by the information receiving means. A route determination means for determining whether or not the information providing vehicle that receives the position information by the information reception means has deviated from the travel route;
A new information providing vehicle that travels within a predetermined range of the position of the virtual vehicle predicted by the virtual vehicle position predicting means when the route determining means determines that the vehicle has deviated from the travel route. The travel prediction system according to claim 1, wherein: Presence determination means for determining whether or not the information providing vehicle is traveling within the predetermined range based on a detection result of the information providing vehicle detection means;
The virtual vehicle position prediction means assumes that the virtual vehicle travels at a predetermined speed based on the travel route when the presence determination means determines that the information providing vehicle is not traveling within the predetermined range. The travel prediction system according to claim 1, wherein the position of the vehicle is predicted. A travel route acquisition means for acquiring a planned travel route on which the information providing vehicle travels;
When it is determined by the information providing vehicle detection means that a plurality of information providing vehicles are traveling within the predetermined range, the virtual vehicle position predicting means is configured such that the planned travel route is the plurality of information providing vehicles. The travel prediction system according to claim 1, wherein the position of the virtual vehicle is predicted based on the position information of the information providing vehicle that most closely matches the travel route.   The travel prediction system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising virtual vehicle position display means for displaying a position of the virtual vehicle predicted by the virtual vehicle position prediction means. The route setting means sets a plurality of travel routes from a predetermined departure point to a predetermined destination point,
The virtual vehicle position predicting means departs from the departure point at the same timing when the own vehicle departs from the departure point when the own vehicle travels on any of the travel routes set by the route setting unit. The travel prediction system according to claim 1, wherein the position of the virtual vehicle assumed to travel on one or a plurality of travel routes other than the travel of the vehicle is predicted.

Images