JP2007225504A - Routing device, navigation device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide technique providing information for allowing a user to determine the order of priority of a via-point candidate, while taking into account of a required time and setting a more appropriate destination route by selecting the via-point, based on the order of priority determined on the basis of this. <P>SOLUTION: For each input via-point candidate, the difference between required time of a route from the starting point to the destination via one of the respective via-point candidates and required time of a route from the starting point to the destination directly is calculated and a difference list in which the calculated difference is associated with each via-point candidate is displayed on a display means (S904). The user inputs the order of priority of each via-point candidate, on the basis of the difference list displayed on the display means (S905); thus the via-points are selected, in the order, from the via-point candidate, having higher priority order accepted by a priority order reception means so that the destination is reached, before a desired arrival time input by the user (S906-908), and the route to the destination is set (S911). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a route setting device, a navigation device, and the like that calculate a route to a set destination and perform route guidance based on the calculated route.

  Conventionally, a position is detected by GPS (Global Positioning System) or the like as the moving body moves, an appropriate route from the current position to the destination is calculated, and route guidance for the calculated route is obtained by voice or screen display. Navigation systems to perform are known.

In setting such a destination route, a navigation device has been devised that searches for a destination route that passes through the route by specifying the route.
As this type of navigation device, one route candidate place is selected from the inputted route place candidate locations in the order of priority specified by the user, and a new route is calculated using this route candidate place as a route place. However, when it is determined that the destination can be reached by the calculated arrival time by the desired arrival time, a process of including the candidate route via the route as a destination is performed (Patent Document 1). .
JP 2000-346667 A

  In the navigation device described in Patent Document 1, a candidate route is selected and a destination route is set so that the destination can be reached from a plurality of candidate route destinations by a desired arrival time based on the priority set by the user. For example, when going on a trip around famous landmarks etc. with a car equipped with this navigation device, set the final destination and desired arrival time as the accommodation facility and the check-in time of the accommodation facility, etc. It is conceivable to select the waypoints in order of priority set from the inside.

  Here, it is conceivable that when the user determines the priority order of each via route candidate place, it is determined based purely on the degree of interest and necessity of the user for each via route candidate place. However, with regard to the historic sites that are candidates for transit, there is a request such as “I am very interested, but I would like to lower the priority if it takes a long time to move.” If you don't take time, I would like to increase the priority. ”Considering the time required for travel, it is assumed that the interest and necessity level for the historic spot does not necessarily match the priority. Is done.

  However, when the user is not familiar with the geographical location and traffic conditions of the area, such as a travel destination that the user has visited for the first time, it is difficult for the user to determine the distance of the candidate route and the required time. Therefore, the priority order of the route candidate sites cannot be determined in consideration of the degree of interest in the route candidate sites, the balance between the necessity level and the required time, and the user's request as described above is not satisfied.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides information for allowing the user to determine the priority order of the route candidate sites in consideration of the required time. It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique for setting a more appropriate destination route by selecting a waypoint based on the determined priority.

  The route setting device according to claim 1, which has been made to achieve the above object, sets each route candidate site as information for allowing a user to determine a priority order of route candidate sites in consideration of a required time. The difference between the time required for the route to the destination not included as a transit point and the time required for each route to the destination where each route candidate is incorporated as a transit point in this route is associated with each route candidate. A difference list which is a list is displayed.

  Specifically, the route setting device according to claim 1, for each route candidate input, the time required for a route to a destination not including each route candidate location as a route point, and each route Calculate the difference with the required time of each route to the destination incorporating the route candidate location as a route location, and display a difference list that is a list in which the calculated difference is associated with each route candidate location on the display means (Difference list display control means). Then, the user inputs the priority order of each candidate route based on the difference list displayed on the display means, so that the user arrives at the destination by the desired arrival time input by the desired arrival time input means. Then, a route is selected in order from a route candidate having a higher priority received by the priority receiving unit, and a destination route is set (control unit).

  According to the route setting device configured in this way, the required time of a route that does not include each via-route candidate location as a via-route and the required time of each route that incorporates each via-candidate location as a via-route in this route By displaying the difference as a list, it is possible to provide information for the user to determine the priority order of the candidate route points in consideration of the required time.

  If the difference in required time when passing through a certain route candidate place is relatively large, it means that it takes more time to go around the route candidate place. On the contrary, if the difference in required time is relatively small, it means that it does not take much time to go around the candidate route. By referring to the difference list displayed on the display means, the user can know the approximate length of time required to go around each candidate site. Therefore, the user can determine the priority order of the route candidate sites in consideration of the degree of interest in the route candidate locations, the balance between the necessity level and the required time.

  For example, if the user wants to go around more waypoints by the desired arrival time, the user may set the priority order of the route candidate places that take time (that is, the difference is relatively large) low. In addition, when a route candidate site that takes time is set at the highest priority, a route candidate site that does not take time (that is, the difference is relatively small) is set as the next point, and as many route points as possible are circulated. It is also possible to cope with it. Alternatively, it is possible to set the priority in order from the candidate route that does not take time, regardless of the interest and necessity of the candidate route.

  By the way, it is conceivable that the control means described above is specifically configured as shown in claim 2. In other words, the control means, in the difference list display control means, the required time of the route that goes straight from the departure place to the destination, and the required time of each route that goes from the departure place to the destination through each candidate route And a difference list which is a list in which the calculated difference is associated with each candidate route is displayed on the display unit. A route in which one route candidate with the highest priority among route candidates not included in the confirmed route (initial value: route that goes straight from the departure point to the destination) is newly incorporated as a route point in the confirmed route. Whether or not the destination can be reached by the desired arrival time based on the provisional route calculation process for calculating the provisional route and the required time of the provisional route and the required time of the provisional route calculated by the provisional route calculation process. The determination process for determining can be sequentially executed.

  Here, when it is determined that the destination can be reached by the desired arrival time in the determination process, the provisional route is set as a confirmed route, and there is a route candidate location that is not incorporated in the set confirmed route Sequentially repeats the provisional route calculation process and the determination process for the determined route, or sets the determined route as the destination route when there is no route candidate place that is not incorporated in the set determined route. On the other hand, if it is determined in the determination process that the destination cannot be reached by the desired arrival time, the determined route before incorporating the last route candidate incorporated in the provisional route is set as the destination route.

  According to the route setting device configured as described above, a route point is sequentially added from a route candidate with a high priority set by the user based on the displayed difference list, and the route is compared with the desired arrival time each time. By calculating, it is possible to set a route including as many transit points as possible within a range in time for the desired arrival time.

  On the other hand, the route setting device according to claim 3, which has been made to solve the above problem, is a route in which one candidate route place that is not included in the confirmed route is newly incorporated as a route point in the confirmed route. A difference list between the required time of the provisional route and the required time of the confirmed route is sequentially displayed every time a transit point is added to the confirmed route, and based on this, the specification of the priority order of each transit candidate site is accepted. Features.

  Specifically, the route setting device according to claim 3 is configured so that each route candidate that is not included in the confirmed route (initial value: a route that goes directly from the departure place to the destination) is a confirmed route. The difference between the time required for each provisional route and the time required for the confirmed route is calculated, and a difference list that is a list in which the calculated difference is associated with each candidate route is displayed. Specified in the difference list display process displayed on the means, the priority order reception process for receiving an instruction for designating each of the highest priority route candidate locations based on the difference list displayed on the display means, and the priority order reception process A determination process for determining whether or not the vehicle can arrive at the destination by the desired arrival time based on the required time of the provisional route corresponding to the highest priority route candidate place is configured to be executed sequentially.

  If it is determined in the determination process that the destination can be reached by the desired arrival time, the provisional route is set as the confirmed route. Here, if there is a route candidate place that is not included in the set confirmed route, the difference list display process, the priority order receiving process, and the determination process are sequentially repeated for the confirmed route. Alternatively, when there is no route candidate place that is not included in the set confirmed route, the temporary route is set as the destination route.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the determination process that the destination cannot be reached by the desired arrival time, the determined route before the last route candidate incorporated in the provisional route is set as the destination route.

  According to the route setting device configured in this way, each time a user selects a route candidate place with the highest priority in consideration of a required time difference in each route candidate place from the difference list displayed on the display unit, Then, a difference list between the required time of the temporary route and the required time of the confirmed route in which the remaining route candidate locations are incorporated in the confirmed route including the selected route candidate location with the highest priority is displayed.

  Specifically, when the route candidate site A is selected as the highest priority route candidate site from the difference list, the required time of the confirmed route including the route candidate location A as the route point, and the remaining time on the confirmed route A difference list is displayed that shows the difference from the required time of the provisional route incorporating each candidate route. Then, when the highest priority candidate route B is selected from this difference list, this time, the required time of the confirmed route including the route candidate locations A and B as the route points, and the remaining route candidate locations on this confirmed route. A difference list indicating the difference from the required time of the provisional route incorporating the is displayed.

  In this way, each time the user designates the highest priority route candidate place, the difference list of the required time of the provisional route in which the remaining route candidate places are incorporated in the confirmed route including the highest priority route candidate place as the route place is obtained. As a result, the user can select a route candidate place to be prioritized with reference to this difference list, so that the user can select a route candidate place in comparison with the case where the priority order of each route candidate place is specified collectively. The degree of interest and the degree of necessity and balance between required time can be examined more closely.

  By the way, when you arrive at a transit point, if you are a tourist spot, you can visit the tourist spot, if it is a restaurant or drive-in, you will have a meal or take a break, etc. Will do.

  Therefore, it may be configured as a route setting device according to claim 4. That is, the route candidate place input means is configured to be able to input a planned stay time at the route candidate place in correspondence with each route candidate place. Then, the time required for the route to the destination including the candidate route is calculated as the time including the planned stay time at the candidate route included in the route.

  In this way, by taking into account the planned stay time at the waypoint, the time required to arrive at the destination can be calculated more accurately. Therefore, when moving along the set destination route, there is a high possibility of arrival at a more accurate time in accordance with the desired arrival time at the destination.

  By the way, from the viewpoint of setting a route so that as many route points as possible can be reached until the desired arrival time, it is more advantageous to preferentially select route candidate locations that require a short travel time as route points. . Therefore, as shown in claim 5, when displaying the difference list, it may be configured to display the difference of the required time in order from the smallest. In this way, it is possible to provide information that allows the user to more easily consider the required time in determining the priority order of the route candidate locations.

  The route setting device described above is more effective when used as part of a navigation device that provides route guidance to a destination. That is, it is conceivable to configure as a navigation system including the above-described route setting device and guidance means for performing route guidance for the route set by the route setting device. Such a navigation device is particularly effective when mounted on a vehicle, but it is also effective to be realized as a function of a mobile communication terminal or the like.

  In order to realize the function of the control means in the route setting apparatus as described above in a computer system, it may be provided as a program activated on the computer system side as described in claim 7. Such a program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a hard disk, a ROM, or a RAM, and loaded onto the computer as necessary. A function as a means can be realized.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Description of configuration of in-vehicle navigation device 1]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an in-vehicle navigation device 1 according to an embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the in-vehicle navigation device 1 is similar to the position detector 21 that detects the current position of the vehicle, the operation switch group 22 for inputting various instructions from the user, and the operation switch group 22. A remote control terminal (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) 23a capable of inputting various instructions, a remote control sensor 23b for inputting a signal from the remote controller 23a, an external memory 24 for storing various information, a map data database, and various information A data input device 25 for inputting various data such as map data from an external recording medium on which the information is recorded, a display device 26 for performing various displays such as a map display screen and a TV screen, and various guide voices and the like. Audio output device 27 and a control device 29 are provided.

  The position detector 21 receives a radio wave transmitted from an artificial satellite for GPS via a GPS antenna, detects a position of the vehicle, etc., a GPS receiver 21a, and a gyro that detects the magnitude of rotational motion applied to the vehicle. A scope 21b and a distance sensor 21c for detecting the distance traveled by the vehicle are provided. Each of the sensors 21a to 21c has an error having a different property, and is configured to be used while complementing each other. Depending on the accuracy, a part of the sensors described above may be used, or a steering rotation sensor, a wheel sensor of each rolling wheel, or the like may be used.

The operation switch group 22 includes a touch panel that is integrated with the display device 26 and is installed on the display surface, and a mechanical key switch provided around the display device 26.
The data input unit 25 reads data from the nonvolatile storage medium based on the control from the control device 29 and inputs the data to the control device 29. The data stored in the nonvolatile storage medium includes the above-described so-called map matching data for improving the position detection accuracy, various data including map data and route guidance data, and the operation of the in-vehicle navigation device 1. For the program. As a storage medium for these data, a hard disk, DVD, CD-ROM, memory, memory card, or the like can be used.

  The display device 26 is a color display device having a display surface such as a liquid crystal display. In response to the input of the video signal from the control device 29, the display device 26 determines the current location specified from the current position of the vehicle detected by the position detector 21 on the display surface and the map data input from the data input device 25. Additional data such as a mark to be displayed, a guide route to the destination, a name, a landmark, and symbols of various landmarks can be displayed in an overlapping manner.

  The audio output device 27 is configured so that various information can be notified to the user by voice. Thereby, various types of guidance such as route guidance can be given to the user by both the display by the display device 26 and the voice output from the voice output device 27.

  The control device 29 is configured around a known microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an I / O, a bus line connecting these configurations, and the like, and controls the configuration of each unit described above. The control device 29 executes various processes according to a program read from the ROM, the data input device 25, or the like.

  For example, the navigation-related processing includes map display processing and route guidance processing. In the map display processing, the current position of the vehicle is calculated as a set of coordinates and traveling directions based on each detection signal from the position detector 21, and a map or the like near the current position read via the data input device 25 is displayed. 26 is displayed. The route guidance process is an optimum route from the current position to the destination based on the point data stored in the storage medium and the destination set according to the operation of the operation switch group 22 or the remote controller 23a. This is a process for calculating a destination route and performing travel guidance for the calculated destination route. As a method for automatically setting an optimum route in this way, a method such as cost calculation by the Dijkstra method is known.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 29 is configured to execute the following “destination route setting process” as a process for determining the destination route in the above-described route guidance processing or the like. In other words, destination information including the desired arrival time at the destination, and information on the route candidate that the user wants to drop in on the way to the destination are input in advance, so that the route point can be appropriately selected from the route candidate input. This is a process of selecting and setting a destination route that can arrive at the destination by the desired arrival time. Details of this “destination route setting process” will be described later.

  The schematic configuration of the in-vehicle navigation device 1 has been described above, but the correspondence between the configuration of the in-vehicle navigation device 1 in the present embodiment and the configuration described in the claims is as follows. The control device 29 in the present embodiment corresponds to the control means in the claims. Further, the operation switch group 22, the remote controller 23a, and the remote controller sensor 23b correspond to a desired arrival time input means and a route candidate place input means. The display device 26 corresponds to display means.

Hereinafter, the “destination route setting process” executed by the control device 29 will be described based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 2, 3 and 8 and the explanatory diagrams of FIGS. 5 to 7 and 9 to 11.
[Description of destination route setting process]
FIG. 2A is a flowchart showing the procedure of the main process of the “destination route setting process” executed by the control device 29 of the in-vehicle navigation device 1.

  First, a destination is registered in accordance with an operation input from the user (step 10; hereinafter, steps are simply indicated by symbol S). The destination is input using a touch panel or a remote controller 23a formed integrally with the display device 26. That is, when the user touches the destination on the map screen displayed on the display device 26, the position is detected as a two-dimensional coordinate value. As a result, the latitude and longitude of the destination are calculated. In addition, by selecting a place name and a facility name from a list displayed on the display device 26 based on a database that associates a place name, a facility name, a telephone number, and the like with latitude / longitude, or by inputting a telephone number You can also enter a destination.

  Next, in accordance with the operation input from the user, the desired arrival time at the destination registered in S10 is input (S20). The desired arrival time is a time at which the user thinks he or she wants to arrive at the destination by that time. This desired arrival time is also input using the touch panel of the operation switch group 22 or the remote controller 23a.

  Subsequently, in accordance with an operation input from the user, a route candidate place n (n = 1, 2, 3,...) That the user wants to stop by before reaching the destination is registered (S30). n is an identification number when there are a plurality of registered via-candidate locations, and its initial value is 1. In addition, the input of the candidate route place by the user is performed by the same method as the destination. Then, after registering the route candidate place n, the planned stay time at the route candidate place n is input according to the operation input from the user (S40). The planned stay time is a time when the user is scheduled to stay at the candidate route.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the registration of all via candidate locations has been completed (S50). Specifically, an inquiry is made to the user as to whether or not the input of the candidate route point has been completed through display on the display device 26, and whether or not the registration has been completed based on an operation input from the user in response to the inquiry. What is necessary is just to determine. Here, when it is determined that the registration of the candidate route is not completed (S50: NO), that is, when an instruction to continue the registration of the candidate route is input from the user, n is incremented by one. (S60), the process proceeds to S30, and the route candidate place n is registered again.

  As described above, by repeating the processes of S30 to S60, a plurality of route candidate locations are sequentially registered, and when it is determined in S50 that the registration of route candidate locations is completed (S50: NO), that is, the route candidate location from the user. If an instruction indicating that the registration is completed is entered, the process proceeds to S70.

  FIG. 2B shows an example of the destination and the route candidate locations registered in the processes of S10 to S60, and the departure place “S”, the destination “G”, and the three route candidate locations 1 to 3 “R1”. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically each point of ~ R3 ", and the positional relationship of each point. Here, the departure place “S” is set to the current position of the host vehicle input from the position detector 21 unless there is a change instruction from the user. In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 2B, it is assumed that three candidate route points are registered. However, in the present embodiment, the number is not limited to three but between 0 and a predetermined maximum number. Any number of candidate route points can be registered. Hereinafter, when describing the “destination route setting process” and the contents of each process associated therewith with specific examples, the departure point “S”, the destination “G”, In addition, a description will be given based on an example of each point of the three candidate locations 1 to 3 “R1 to R3”.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. In S70, the initial value of the confirmed route is calculated. Here, the initial value of the confirmed route is a route that goes straight from the departure point “S” to the destination “G” without passing through any of the candidate route points. Note that a well-known Dijkstra method is used to calculate a route, and a route with a minimum route cost (an evaluation value for the route) is set for a link between nodes.

  Next, the required time “T0” for traveling on the confirmed route calculated in S70 is calculated (S80). For example, the required time may be calculated in consideration of the road type, the road width, and the like based on the link information of the set route. It is also conceivable that the average travel time of the link is recorded in the link information, and this travel time is accumulated and calculated.

  FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram showing an initial value of a confirmed route (hereinafter, referred to as “S → G” or the like in the order of passing through each point in the route. The same applies to other routes). In this figure, the arrows pointing between the points do not indicate the geographical route where the vehicle actually travels, but schematically indicate the order of passing through the points in the route.

  After calculating the required time for the confirmed route in S80, "route selection processing" is executed (S90), and after execution, "destination route setting processing" is terminated. Here, the “route point selection process” is a process of setting a destination route by sequentially selecting a route point from candidate route points input by the user and incorporating the route point into the route to the destination. .

  Hereinafter, the detailed description of the first embodiment of the “route selection process” will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 3 and the explanatory diagrams of FIGS. 4 to 7, and the detailed description of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[Description of waypoint selection processing (first embodiment)]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the “route selection process (first embodiment)” in S90 in the “destination route setting process” (see FIG. 2).

  First, it is determined whether or not at least one transit candidate site is registered (S901). Here, when it is determined that no route candidate place is registered (S901: NO), the process proceeds to S911, and S70 of the current determined route (ie, “destination route setting process”) (see FIG. 2). The initial value “S → G” of the confirmed route calculated in step S3) is set as the destination route, and “route selection processing (first embodiment)” is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S901 that a candidate route is registered (S901: YES), one candidate route n that is not included in this confirmed route is one for the current confirmed route “S → G”. A provisional route incorporated as a transit point is calculated, and a required time “Tn” for traveling to the destination by traveling on the calculated provisional route is calculated (S902). Here, for example, the provisional route is calculated from the route candidate location having the smallest route candidate identification number n. In addition to the travel time required for travel, the time required for a route including a route candidate location as a route location is determined by the route candidate location set in S40 (see FIG. 2) of “Destination route setting process”. Calculate the required time including the planned stay time.

  Next, it is determined whether or not provisional routes have been calculated for all candidate route locations not included in the confirmed route (S903). Here, when it is determined that the provisional route is not calculated for all the route candidate locations that are not included in the confirmed route (S903: NO), the process returns to the processing of S902 to return the provisional route for the remaining route candidate location n. And the required time “Tn” of the provisional route is calculated.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing each provisional route calculated by incorporating one route candidate place as a route point with respect to the confirmed route “S → G” in the processing of S902 and S903. FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a provisional route “S → R1 → G” in which the candidate route 1 “R1” is incorporated as a route between the confirmed routes “S → G”. Moreover, (b) is a figure which shows provisional route "S-> R2-> G" which incorporated route candidate place 2 "R2" as a route point between fixed route "S-> G". Further, (c) is a diagram showing a provisional route “S → R3 → G” in which the route candidate place 3 “R3” is incorporated as a route place between the confirmed route “S → G”.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. When it is determined in S903 that the provisional routes have been calculated for all the route candidate locations not included in the confirmed route (S903: YES), the required time “Tn” of each provisional route and the current confirmed route “S → The difference “Tn−T0” with the required time “T0” of “G” is calculated, and a difference list which is a list in which this difference is arranged in ascending order corresponding to each route candidate place (that is, for each provisional route) is displayed. The information is displayed on the device 26 (S904).

  And in the state which displayed this difference list on the display apparatus 26, by accepting the operation input from the user for designating the priority of each route candidate site listed in the difference list, the priority of each route candidate site Further, the display order of each candidate route place in the difference list displayed on the display device 26 is rearranged in the designated priority order (S905).

  FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the difference list 30 displayed on the display device 26 in step S904. In the difference list 30, each of the temporary routes and the confirmed routes is associated with each temporary route in which the route candidate locations R1 to R3 are newly incorporated as route points for the current confirmed route “S → G”. The required time difference “Tn−T0” is displayed in ascending order (that is, in ascending order of difference). The difference list 30 shown in FIG. 5A shows an example assuming the order of the route 3 “R3”, the route 1 “R1”, and the route 2 “R2” from the smallest required time difference. Yes.

  The user refers to the difference list 30 displayed on the display device 26, and designates the priority order of each route candidate site in consideration of the degree of interest in each route candidate location and the balance between the required level and the required time. The priority input by the user is performed via the touch panel, the key switch, the remote controller 23, or the like of the operation switch group 22. When the priority order of the route candidate locations is designated by the user, as shown in FIG. 5B, the display order of the route locations in the difference list 30 is switched in the priority order designated by the user. Here, it is assumed that the priorities designated by the user are R1: 1, R3: 2 and R2: 3.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. In S906, a temporary route incorporating the route candidate location n having the highest priority among route candidate locations that are not included in the current confirmed route, and the required time of the provisional route are calculated. For example, when the current confirmed route is “S → G”, the route candidate place 1 “R1” having the highest priority in the example shown in FIG. 5B is newly incorporated as a route point in this confirmed route, The provisional route “S → R1 → G” is calculated.

  Subsequently, based on the required time of the provisional route calculated in S906, it is determined whether or not the destination can be reached by the provisional route by the desired arrival time (S907). Specifically, an expected arrival time obtained by adding the required time of the provisional route to the current time is calculated, and the expected arrival time input in S20 (see FIG. 2) of the “destination route setting process”. To determine whether or not arrival by the desired arrival time is possible.

  Here, when it is determined that the destination can be reached by the desired arrival time on this provisional route (S907: YES), this provisional route is set as a confirmed route (S908). That is, if the confirmed route so far is “S → G” and the provisional route “S → R1 → G” is calculated based on this confirmed route, the confirmed route is changed from “S → G” to “ S → R1 → G ”.

  Then, it is determined whether or not all candidate route locations are included in the current confirmed route (S909). Here, if it is determined that all the route candidate locations are not included in the current confirmed route (S909: NO), whether to continue the process of incorporating the remaining route candidate locations as route locations based on the user's operation input. It is determined whether or not (S910). Specifically, an inquiry is made to the user as to whether or not to continue the process of incorporating the remaining route candidate locations that are not included in the current confirmed route as a route location via display on the display device 26, etc. It is only necessary to determine whether or not to continue the process of incorporating the remaining route candidate locations as route locations based on the operation input from the user.

  Here, when it is determined that the process of incorporating the remaining via route candidate locations as transit locations is to be continued (S910: YES), that is, when an instruction to continue the process of incorporating via route candidate locations is input from the user, Returning to the process, the temporary route incorporating the route candidate n having the highest priority among the remaining route candidates not included in the current confirmed route, and the time required for this temporary route are calculated. .

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a procedure for calculating a provisional route in S906 when the current confirmed route is “S → R1 → G”.
For the confirmed route “S → R1 → G” shown in FIG. 6A, among the remaining via-route candidate locations (that is, R2 and R3) not included in this confirmed route, R3 having a higher priority is the confirmed route. It will be a transit point built into Here, in calculating the provisional route in which R3 is incorporated in the confirmed route, the candidate route in which R3 is incorporated between S-R1 of the confirmed route shown in FIG. 6 (b) and the confirmed route shown in FIG. 6 (c). Candidate routes each incorporating R3 between R1 and G are calculated. Among the calculated candidate routes, the optimum route with the shortest required time or the lowest route cost is set as a provisional route. Here, it is assumed that the candidate route incorporating R3 between R1 and G of the confirmed route shown in FIG. 6C is the optimal route, and this candidate route is the provisional route “ S → R1 → R3 → G ”. Then, it is determined again whether or not the provisional route can arrive at the destination by the desired arrival time in S907.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a procedure for calculating a temporary route in S906 when the current confirmed route is “S → R1 → R3 → G”.
For the confirmed route “S → R1 → R3 → G” shown in FIG. 7A, the final route candidate site (that is, R2) not included in this confirmed route is determined as the route candidate site with the highest priority. It is a transit point that is built into the route. Here, in calculating the provisional route in which R2 is incorporated in the confirmed route, the candidate route in which R2 is incorporated between S-R1 of the confirmed route shown in FIG. 7B and the confirmed route shown in FIG. 7C. A candidate route incorporating R2 between R1 and R3 and a candidate route incorporating R2 between R3 and G of the confirmed route shown in FIG. Among the calculated candidate routes, the optimum route with the shortest required time or the lowest route cost is set as a provisional route. Here, it is assumed that the candidate route incorporating R2 between R3-G of the confirmed route shown in FIG. 7D is the optimum route, and this candidate route is the provisional route “ S → R1 → R3 → R2 → G ”. Then, it is determined again whether or not the provisional route can arrive at the destination by the desired arrival time in S907.

  If it is determined in S907 that the temporary route cannot be reached by the desired arrival time (S907: NO), the current confirmed route is set as the destination route (S911), and “route selection process ( First Embodiment) ”ends. That is, when the determined route so far is “S →... → G” and the provisional route “S →... → Rn →... → G” is calculated based on this confirmed route, the provisional route “S →. → Rn →... → G ”, since the destination cannot be reached by the desired arrival time, the current confirmed route“ S →... → G ”is set as the target route.

  Further, in the process of sequentially repeating the processing of S906 to S910, if it is determined in S909 that all the candidate route locations are included in the current confirmed route (S909: YES), or the remaining candidate route locations are determined in S910. When it is determined not to continue the process of incorporating as a waypoint (S910: NO), that is, when the user inputs an instruction not to continue the process of incorporating a route candidate place, the current confirmed route is set as the destination route (S911), and the “route selection process (first embodiment)” is terminated.

[Description of waypoint selection processing (second embodiment)]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the “route selection process (second embodiment)” in S90 in the “destination route setting process” (see FIG. 2).

  First, it is determined whether or not at least one transit candidate site is registered (S921). Here, when it is determined that no via candidate locations are registered (S921: NO), the process proceeds to S930, and S70 of the current determined route (ie, “destination route setting process”) (see FIG. 2). The initial value “S → G” of the confirmed route calculated in step S3) is set as the destination route, and the “route selection process (second embodiment)” is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S921 that a route candidate location is registered (S921: YES), one route candidate location n not included in this confirmed route is incorporated as one route location for the current confirmed route. A provisional route is calculated, and a required time “Tn” for traveling to the destination by traveling on the calculated provisional route is calculated (S922). Here, for example, the provisional route is calculated from the route candidate location having the smallest route candidate identification number n. In addition to the travel time required for travel, the time required for a route including a route candidate location as a route location is determined by the route candidate location set in S40 (see FIG. 2) of “Destination route setting process”. Calculate the required time including the planned stay time.

  Next, it is determined whether or not provisional routes have been calculated for all candidate route locations not included in the confirmed route (S923). Here, when it is determined that the provisional route is not calculated for all the route candidate locations not included in the confirmed route (S923: NO), the process returns to the process of S902 and the provisional route is set for the remaining route candidate locations n. And the required time “Tn” of the provisional route is calculated.

  In the processing of S922 and S923, when the current confirmed route is “S → G”, for example, the provisional route calculated by incorporating one of the candidate route locations “R1 to R3” as a route point into this confirmed route This is as shown in FIG.

  When it is determined in S923 that the provisional routes have been calculated for all the route candidates not included in the confirmed route (S923: YES), the required time “Tn” of each temporary route and the required time of the current confirmed route A difference “Tn−T0” from “T0” is calculated, and a difference list, which is a list in which the differences are arranged in ascending order corresponding to each route candidate place (ie, each provisional route), is displayed on the display device 26. (S924).

  Then, in a state where the difference list is displayed on the display device 26, by receiving an operation input from the user for designating the highest priority route candidate location from among the route candidate locations listed in the difference list, A priority route candidate n is set (S925).

  FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the difference list 31 displayed on the display device 26 in S924. In the difference list 31, when the current confirmed route is “S → G”, the route candidate locations “R1 to R3” are newly incorporated as route points for the confirmed route. In addition, the required time difference “Tn−T0” between each provisional route and the confirmed route is displayed in ascending order (that is, in ascending order of difference). The difference list 31 shown in FIG. 9A shows an example assuming the order of the route 3 “R3”, the route 1 “R1”, and the route 2 “R2” from the smallest required time difference. Yes.

  The user refers to the difference list 31 displayed on the display device 26, and considers the degree of interest in each route candidate place and the balance between the necessity level and the required time, and the route candidate place displayed in the difference list 31. The route candidate place with the highest priority is designated from among (see FIG. 9B). The user designates the highest priority route candidate location through the touch panel, key switch, remote controller 23, etc. of the operation switch group 22. Here, it is assumed that the highest priority candidate route designated by the user is R1.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. In S926, it is determined whether it is possible to arrive at the destination by the desired arrival time on the provisional route including the highest priority route candidate designated by the user in S925 (S926). Specifically, an expected arrival time obtained by adding the required time of the provisional route to the current time is calculated, and the expected arrival time input in S20 (see FIG. 2) of the “destination route setting process”. To determine whether or not arrival by the desired arrival time is possible.

  Here, if it is determined that the destination can be reached by the desired arrival time on this provisional route (S926: YES), this provisional route is set as a confirmed route (S927). Further, the required time “Tn” of the provisional route is set as the required time “T0” of the fixed route. That is, when the established route so far is “S → G” and the provisional route including the highest priority route candidate is “S → R1 → G”, the confirmed route is changed from “S → G” to “S → R1”. → "G" is updated.

  Then, it is determined whether or not all candidate route locations are included in the current confirmed route (S928). If it is determined that not all the route candidate locations are included in the current confirmed route (S928: NO), whether to continue the process of incorporating the remaining route candidate locations as route locations based on the user's operation input. It is determined whether or not (S929). Specifically, an inquiry is made to the user as to whether or not to continue the process of incorporating the remaining route candidate locations that are not included in the current confirmed route as a route location via display on the display device 26, etc. It is only necessary to determine whether or not to continue the process of incorporating the remaining route candidate locations as route locations based on the operation input from the user.

  Here, when it is determined that the process for incorporating the remaining via route candidate locations as transit locations is to be continued (S929: YES), that is, when an instruction to continue the process for incorporating via candidate locations is input from the user, Returning to the process, a temporary route is calculated by incorporating one candidate route point n not included in the confirmed route with respect to the current confirmed route, and the calculated temporary route is traveled to the destination. The required time “Tn” for going is calculated.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a procedure for calculating a temporary route in S922 and S923 when the current confirmed route is “S → R1 → G”.
For the confirmed route “S → R1 → G” shown in FIG. 10 (a), R2 is first incorporated into this confirmed route among the remaining via route candidates (that is, R2, R3) not included in this confirmed route. A provisional route is calculated. Here, in calculating the provisional route in which R2 is incorporated in the confirmed route, the candidate route in which R2 is incorporated between S-R1 of the confirmed route shown in FIG. 10 (b) and the confirmed route shown in FIG. 10 (c). Candidate routes each incorporating R2 between R1-G are calculated. Among the calculated candidate routes, the optimum route with the shortest required time or the lowest route cost is set as a provisional route. Here, it is assumed that the candidate route incorporating R2 between R1 and G of the confirmed route shown in FIG. 10C is the optimum route, and this candidate route is the provisional route “ S → R1 → R2 → G ”.

  Next, a provisional route in which R3 is incorporated into the fixed route “S → R1 → G” is calculated. Here, in calculating the provisional route in which R3 is incorporated in the confirmed route, the candidate route in which R3 is incorporated between S-R1 of the confirmed route shown in FIG. 10 (d) and the confirmed route shown in FIG. 10 (e). Candidate routes each incorporating R3 between R1 and G are calculated. Among the calculated candidate routes, the optimum route with the shortest required time or the lowest route cost is set as a provisional route. Here, it is assumed that the candidate route incorporating R3 between R1 and G of the confirmed route shown in FIG. 10E is the optimum route, and this candidate route is the provisional route “ S → R1 → R3 → G ”.

  Then, a difference “Tn−T0” between the required time “Tn” of each temporary route and the required time “T0” of the current determined route is calculated again for these temporary routes in S924, and this difference is used as a route candidate. A difference list which is a list arranged in ascending order corresponding to each ground (that is, every provisional route) is displayed on the display device 26.

  FIG. 11A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the difference list 31 displayed on the display device 26 in S924. In the difference list 31, when the current confirmed route is “S → R1 → G”, it corresponds to each provisional route in which the route candidate locations R2 and R3 are newly incorporated as route points in the confirmed route. In addition, the required time difference “Tn−T0” between each provisional route and the confirmed route is displayed in ascending order (that is, in ascending order of difference). The difference list 31 shown in FIG. 11A shows an example assuming the order of the route point 3 “R3” and the route point 2 “R2” from the smallest required time difference.

  The user refers to the difference list 31 displayed on the display device 26, and considers the degree of interest in each route candidate place and the balance between the necessity level and the required time, and the route candidate place displayed in the difference list 31. A route candidate place with the highest priority is designated from among (that is, R2, R3) (see FIG. 11B). Here, it is assumed that the route candidate place with the highest priority designated by the user is R3. Then, it is determined again whether or not the temporary route including the highest priority route candidate designated by the user can arrive at the destination by the desired arrival time in S926.

  In this way, in the “route selection process (second embodiment)”, every time a transit route is calculated by adding a new route to the confirmed route, the difference in required time between the original confirmed route and the provisional route is calculated. The difference list 31 is displayed on the display device 26, and each time the user can select a route candidate place with the highest priority.

  If it is determined in S927 that the temporary route including the highest priority route candidate designated by the user cannot arrive at the desired arrival time (S927: NO), the current confirmed route is set as the destination route. (S930), the “route selection process (second embodiment)” is terminated. That is, when the determined route so far is “S →... → G” and the provisional route including the highest priority route candidate is “S →... → Rn →... → G”, this provisional route “S →. → Rn →... → G ”, since the destination cannot be reached by the desired arrival time, the current confirmed route“ S →... → G ”is set as the target route.

  Further, in the process of sequentially repeating the processes of S922 to S929, when it is determined in S928 that all the current route candidates are included in the current confirmed route (S928: YES), or the remaining route candidate locations are determined in S929. When it is determined not to continue the process of incorporating as a waypoint (S929: NO), that is, when the user inputs an instruction not to continue the process of incorporating the route candidate place, the current confirmed route is set as the destination route. (S930), the “route selection process (second embodiment)” is terminated.

[effect]
According to the vehicle-mounted navigation device 1 of the embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
The difference between the required time of the confirmed route that does not include each route candidate place as a route point and the required time of the provisional route that incorporates each route candidate place as a route point in this confirmed route is displayed on the display device 26 as a difference list. Thus, it is possible to provide information for the user to determine the priority order of the candidate route points in consideration of the required time.

  In “route place selection procedure (first embodiment)”, the user can collectively specify the priority order of each route candidate place based on the difference list 30 displayed on the display device 26. Then, by adding route points sequentially from route candidate points with high priority specified by the user and calculating the confirmed route each time by comparing with the desired arrival time, as many as possible within the range in time for the desired arrival time You can set a destination route that includes the waypoints.

  In the “route selection process (second embodiment)”, the user selects one route candidate place with the highest priority from the difference list 31 displayed on the display device 26, and the selected route candidate with the highest priority is further selected. A difference list 31 is displayed between the required time of the provisional route in which each remaining candidate route is incorporated in the confirmed route including the ground and the required time of the confirmed route. In each case, the user can set the priority order of each route candidate location by selecting the route candidate location with the highest priority from the difference list 31. Thereby, compared with the case where the priority order of each via route candidate place is specified at once, the user can more closely examine the degree of interest in the via route candidate place and the balance between the necessary time and the required time.

  Further, in the present embodiment, by calculating the estimated staying time at the waypoint as the required time, the required time to reach the destination can be calculated more accurately. Therefore, when moving along the set destination route, there is a high possibility of arrival at a more accurate time in accordance with the desired arrival time at the destination.

  Further, when displaying the difference lists 30 and 31, the difference between the required times is displayed so as to be arranged in ascending order, so that the user can more easily consider the required time in determining the priority order of the route candidate locations. Can provide.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present invention. It is.

  In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is implemented as the in-vehicle navigation device 1, but the technical idea of the present invention is, for example, a portable phone such as a mobile phone or a notebook personal computer capable of executing an application having a navigation function. It can be applied to information terminals.

It is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of in-vehicle navigation device 1 of an embodiment. (A) is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the main process of the "destination route setting process" which the control apparatus 29 of the vehicle-mounted navigation apparatus 1 performs, (b) is an example of the registered destination and via candidate place It is explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship typically, (c) is explanatory drawing which shows typically a fixed path | route (initial value). It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the "route point selection process (1st Embodiment)" of S90 in a "destination route setting process." It is explanatory drawing which shows typically each provisional path | route calculated by incorporating one R1-R3 as a transit place with respect to fixed path | route "S-> G." (A) is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the difference list 30 displayed on the display apparatus 26, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows an example which updated the difference list 30 in the designated priority. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the procedure which incorporates R3 as a transit place with respect to fixed path | route "S-> R1-> G", and calculates a temporary path | route. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the procedure which incorporates R2 as a waypoint with respect to fixed path | route "S-> R1-> R3-> G", and calculates a temporary path | route. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the "route point selection process (2nd Embodiment)" of S90 in a "destination route setting process." (A) is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the difference list 31 displayed on the display apparatus 26, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows an example which designated the route candidate place with the highest priority in the difference list 31. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the procedure which calculates one provisional path | route by incorporating one R2 and R3 as a waypoint with respect to fixed path | route "S-> R1-> G". (A) is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the difference list 31 displayed on the display apparatus 26, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows an example which designated the route candidate place with the highest priority in the difference list 31.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle-mounted navigation apparatus, 21 ... Position detector, 21a ... GPS receiver, 21b ... Gyroscope, 21c ... Distance sensor, 22 ... Operation switch group, 23a ... Remote control, 23b ... Remote control sensor, 24 ... External memory, 25 Data input device 26 Display device 27 Audio output device 29 Control device 30, 31 Difference list

Claims (7)

Display means for displaying an image;
A control means for setting a destination route which is a route from the starting point to the destination,
A desired arrival time input means for a user to input a desired arrival time to the destination;
In setting the destination route, the route candidate destination input means for the user to input a plurality of route candidate locations that are candidate route points in the destination route,
The control means includes
For each route candidate place input by the route candidate place input means, the required time of the route to the destination not including each route candidate place as a route place, and each route candidate place as a route place in this route A difference list display control means for calculating a difference with the required time of each route to the incorporated destination, and displaying a difference list as a list in which the calculated difference is associated with each via candidate place on the display means; ,
Priority order receiving means for receiving from the user an instruction to specify the priority order of each candidate route based on the difference list displayed on the display means;
In order to arrive at the destination by the desired arrival time input by the desired arrival time input means, the destination is selected in order from the route candidate places with the highest priority received by the priority reception means. A route setting device characterized by setting a ground route. The route setting device according to claim 1,
The control means includes
Calculate a direct route from the starting point to the destination, and set this as the initial value of the confirmed route,
The difference list display control means calculates a difference between the required time of the initial value of the confirmed route and the required time of each route going from the departure point to the destination via each candidate route. And displaying the difference list that is a list in which the calculated difference is associated with each candidate route via the display unit,
Among the route candidate locations not included in the confirmed route, a temporary route that is a route that is newly incorporated into the confirmed route as a route location that has the highest priority received by the priority order receiving means, and this A provisional route calculation process for calculating a required time for the provisional route, and a determination for determining whether the destination can be reached by the desired arrival time based on the required time for the provisional route calculated by the provisional route calculation process Processing is configured to be executed sequentially,
If it is determined in the determination process that the destination can be reached by the desired arrival time, the provisional route is set as the confirmed route, and there is a candidate route that is not included in the set confirmed route. In this case, the provisional route calculation process and the determination process are sequentially repeated with respect to the confirmed route, or when there is no route candidate place that is not included in the set confirmed route, the confirmed route is set as the destination route. Set,
If it is determined in the determination process that the destination cannot be reached by the desired arrival time, the fixed route before the last route candidate incorporated in the provisional route is set as the destination route. A path setting device characterized by the above. Display means for displaying an image;
A control means for setting a destination route which is a route from the starting point to the destination,
A desired arrival time input means for a user to input a desired arrival time to the destination;
In setting the destination route, the route candidate destination input means for the user to input a plurality of route candidate locations that are candidate route points in the destination route,
The control means includes
Calculate a direct route from the starting point to the destination, and set this as the initial value of the confirmed route,
Calculate the difference between the time required for each provisional route, which is a route that is incorporated in one place in the determined route, with each route candidate location not included in the determined route as a new route, and the required time for the determined route Then, a difference list display process for displaying the difference list, which is a list in which the calculated difference is associated with each candidate route, on the display unit, and the highest priority based on the difference list displayed on the display unit The desired arrival based on a priority order receiving process for receiving an instruction for designating each via route candidate place from a user, and a required time of the provisional route corresponding to the highest priority route candidate place specified in the priority order receiving process A determination process for determining whether or not the vehicle can arrive at the destination by the time, and is configured to be sequentially executable,
If it is determined in the determination process that the destination can be reached by the desired arrival time, the provisional route is set as the confirmed route, and there is a candidate route that is not included in the set confirmed route. In this case, the difference list display process, the priority order reception process, and the determination process are sequentially repeated for the confirmed path, or if there is no route candidate place that is not included in the set confirmed path, the provisional Set the route as the destination route,
When it is determined in the determination process that the destination cannot be reached by the desired arrival time, the determined route before incorporating the route candidate finally incorporated in the temporary route is set as the destination route. The route setting device. In the route setting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The route candidate place input means is configured to be able to input a planned stay time in the route candidate place corresponding to each route place candidate,
The control means includes
A route setting device, characterized in that a time required for a route to the destination including the candidate route is calculated as a time including a planned stay time at the candidate route included in the route. In the route setting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The said control part arranges and displays the difference of a required time in order from a small size, when displaying the said difference list. A navigation device mounted on a vehicle,
The route setting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A navigation device comprising: guidance means for performing route guidance for the route set by the route setting device.   The program for functioning a computer as a control means in the path | route setting apparatus of any one of Claim 1 thru | or 5.